A Guide to Ocular Migraine Stroke
An ocular migraine headache is common among people who suffer from classic migraines. What is unusual, however, is that the headache comes after a series of uncommon visual sensations. Ocular migraine stroke occurs only in one eye, and as it progresses you see a small spot that continues to get larger, followed by a colored, shimmering zigzag border.
Ocular Migraine Stroke: Warnings and Treatments
The exact cause of ocular migraine stroke is not known, but it is believed to be caused by the unusual stimulation of some nerves at the back of the brain. Blood to the brain’s vision area is affected when someone suffers an ocular migraine stroke whereas a classic migraine affects the surface of the brain. Ocular migraine strokes typically do not have fixed patterns associated with it and it is quite possible to have several one week and then not have any for months afterwards.
Sound or light sensitivity could be a good indicator of an oncoming ocular migraine stroke.
There is usually no need for ocular migraine treatment, and prevention is the best possible way to deal with the symptoms. Try to avoid the environmental factors or foods that seem to trigger the migraine. If you get an ocular migraine after a migraine headache, medications for migraine headache help relieve the symptoms.
Ocular migraine stroke is more common is people under 40, women, people suffering from diseases like hardening of arteries, lupus, epilepsy, sickle cell disease and depression, and people who have a family history of migraine.
Those who may suffer from regular headaches should speak with their doctor in order to rule out other possibilities of headache and vision distortion. Gather as much information as possible regarding your triggers, symptoms and family history to share with your doctor.
Brief visual impairment during ocular migraine stroke can be the indicative of a serious condition such as eye damage or stroke, so see the doctor for correct diagnosis.
It is best to consult your ophthalmologist in case you are worried about losing your sight. You should always consult a doctor, more specifically a neurologist so that they can rule out other conditions that could cause similiar symptoms such as a blood clot in the retinal artery, stroke or migraine with aura.
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