A retinal migraine isn't just a headache. In fact, if you've ever experienced one, you know that retinal migraine symptoms can be quite worrisome. It's important that you discuss any visual problems you experience with your migraines with your health care provider to ensure that you receive the help that you need.
What Are Retinal Migraines?
A retinal migraine is a type of migraine headache that affects the eyes and vision. You may have also heard it referred to as an ocular migraine, though this is not an official medical term.
The visual changes occur in one eye and include blindness, scotoma (blind spot), and flashing lights or sparks (scintillation). These visual changes are either accompanied or followed by a migraine without aura, and they reverse completely between attacks.
A migraine with aura may be preceded by some sort of visual change. In the case of migraine with aura, the changes will usually affect both eyes. In retinal migraines, only one eye is affected.
How Are Retinal Migraines Treated?
A retinal migraine is usually treated in much the same way as a typical migraine headache. These treatments include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) -- ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc.
- Narcotic pain relievers -- Darvocet, Percocet, etc.
- Ergots -- Ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, etc.
- 5-HT receptor agonists (triptans) -- Imitrex (sumatriptan), Zomig (zolmitriptan), etc.
- Barbiturate combinations -- Fioricet.
If retinal migraines occur frequently, the same medications used to prevent migraines can be used.
When Should I Call a Doctor?
You should consider calling your health care provider any time you experience new symptoms or when your headache symptoms change significantly. Also, your doctor may need to rule out other causes of one-sided blindness, like issues involving the optic nerve or problems with the carotid artery.
If you develop blindness or visual changes in more than one eye, you are not experiencing a retinal migraine. Call your health care provider immediately .
Sources:Auckerman, G, et al. Management of the acute migraine headache. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Dec 1;66(11):2123-30.
Grosberg, BM, et al. "Retinal Migraine." Current Pain and Headache Reports. Volume 9, Number 4 / August, 2005.
"The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition." Cephalalgia 24 (s1). doi: 10.1111/j. 1468-2982.2003.00824.x
