The treatment of ocular migraine is very important because this condition can cause serious damage to your eye health. Therefore, any change in vision, even if temporary, should be taken seriously.
According to Saeed News, the treatment of ocular migraine is very important because this condition can cause serious damage to your eye health. Therefore, any change in vision, even if temporary, should prompt you to visit a doctor. When seeing a doctor, make sure to fully describe your symptoms so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment options for your ocular migraine.
Ocular migraine is a type of migraine that occurs with severe headaches accompanied by changes in vision. This type of migraine is very painful and bothersome, lasting for at least several hours a day. The exact cause of this condition is still unknown, but studies suggest that retinal vascular spasms and changes in eye nerve cells are factors involved in its development.
Many people confuse ocular migraine with a visual aura migraine because both conditions cause similar symptoms such as flashing lights and blind spots in the field of vision. However, the main difference is that a visual aura migraine typically affects both eyes, while ocular migraine symptoms occur in only one eye. Therefore, it's important to recognize that each condition has its own specific symptoms. Identifying these symptoms can shorten the treatment process and accelerate your recovery.
What are the Symptoms of Ocular Migraine?
According to Takin Pharmed, "The pain associated with migraines is usually intense and can be disabling for those who experience it. It often presents as a sharp pulsation, usually on one side of the head, although in some cases, it can affect both sides. The duration of migraine pain can vary significantly, lasting from several hours to several days." Ocular migraine symptoms are not the same for everyone, and each person may experience different symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. However, the most common symptoms of ocular migraine include:
Seeing zigzag lines
Unusual sensitivity to light
Seeing halos around objects
Seeing flashing lights
Burning or itching sensation in the eye
Seeing bright spots or light flashes
Some people experience these symptoms before the migraine begins, while others experience them along with the onset of the migraine. Ocular migraine may occur with or without a headache. However, the treatment of ocular migraine is crucial to prevent damage to the eyes.
Medications for Ocular Migraine Treatment
If you have a severe ocular migraine, the use of prescribed medications is considered the best treatment method. For mild ocular migraines, you can use over-the-counter medications to reduce and manage pain. Pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen do not require a prescription. However, for severe ocular migraines, it is necessary to see a doctor. Some of the most important prescribed medications for ocular migraine treatment include:
Medication Name | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|
Migralex Capsule | No reported side effects for this herbal migraine treatment |
Sumatriptan | Nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, chest or throat tightness, increased blood pressure |
Rizatriptan | Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, injection site burning, stomach discomfort |
Zolmitriptan | Drowsiness, dizziness, hot flashes, nausea, fatigue, chest pain, increased blood pressure |
Ibuprofen | Indigestion, nausea, headache, dizziness, increased risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers |
Naproxen | Indigestion, nausea, headache, dizziness, stomach ulcers, increased risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding, allergic reactions |
Prochlorperazine | Drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, weight gain, movement-related side effects (e.g., tremors, muscle stiffness) |
Metoclopramide | Drowsiness, fatigue, restlessness, movement-related side effects (e.g., tremors, muscle stiffness), diarrhea |
Propranolol | Fatigue, cold hands and feet, slow heart rate, sleep disturbances, nausea, depression, low blood pressure |
Metoprolol | Fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, shortness of breath, nausea, sleep disturbances, low blood pressure |
Amitriptyline | Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, constipation, urination problems, dizziness, increased heart rate |
Topiramate | Weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, numbness and tingling, difficulty concentrating, depression, blurred vision, speech problems |
Valproate | Weight gain, nausea, tremors, hair loss, drowsiness, liver problems, stomach and intestinal issues, behavioral changes |
Verapamil | Headache, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, swollen feet, low blood pressure, stomach issues |
Take medications as prescribed by your doctor and remember that any self-medication could worsen your symptoms.
6 Treatment Strategies for Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraine visual symptoms usually last less than 60 minutes. If you experience ocular migraines less than once a month, you likely have a mild form of the disease and may not need specific treatment. Ocular migraine treatment generally consists of two main principles: home remedies and medical treatments. Home remedies for ocular migraine include:
Quit Smoking
Tobacco use is one of the main known triggers for ocular migraine. Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels in the brain to constrict. It seems that quitting smoking or reducing exposure to secondhand smoke is the best remedy for ocular migraine.
Stay Hydrated
Migraine attacks are often a sign of dehydration. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Keeping your body hydrated by expanding your blood vessels can help prevent ocular migraines and vision disturbances.
Exercise
While you shouldn't exercise during an active migraine, regular, light exercises can help prevent attacks and reduce symptoms. Walking and yoga are good options for light exercise.
Get Enough Sleep
Proper sleep habits can help treat ocular migraines. Go to bed at a consistent time each night, avoid screen exposure (e.g., laptops, phones) before bed, and spend some time in natural light during the day. If you feel a migraine coming on during the day, try taking a short nap.
Use a Cold or Warm Compress
When an ocular migraine starts, use a cold or warm compress. If you sense an attack coming, press a cold compress to your temples or neck. Some people prefer a warm compress or heating pad. In general, avoid leaving the compress on your skin for more than 15 minutes to prevent skin damage.
Manage Stress
Stress is one of the most important physiological triggers that cause the most severe types of migraines. Therefore, stress management techniques such as deep breathing and yoga can help relieve ocular migraine symptoms and prevent them.
Home remedies can temporarily alleviate symptoms, but they generally do not play a role in the definitive treatment and prevention of this type of migraine. Methods like resting in a dark and quiet environment, using a cold or warm compress, drinking soothing teas such as chamomile or ginger, and gentle head and neck massages can help reduce the intensity of symptoms temporarily. However, these methods are only palliative and cannot prevent recurrent attacks.
