Are Retinal migraines serious?

Retinal migraine (ocular migraine) is an eye condition that causes brief attacks of blindness or visual problems like flashing lights in 1 eye. These episodes can be frightening, but in most cases they’re harmless and shortlived, and eyesight goes back to normal afterwards.

How is retinal migraine treated?

Treatment for Retinal Migraines These medications can include NSAIDs and antinausea medications. Triptans and ergotamines are avoided in these patients. Preventive therapies used for other migraines types should be explored, such as the calcium channel blockers, antiepileptic or tricyclic medications.

Is retinal migraine curable?

Treating retinal migraine If retinal migraine isn’t experienced frequently, doctors or optometrists may prescribe medications typically used to treat other forms of migraine. These rescue medications include triptans, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and antinausea medications.

What is the difference between an ocular migraine and a retinal migraine?

Ocular migraine sometimes is used as a synonym for the medical term “retinal migraine.” A retinal migraine is a rare condition occurring in a person who has experienced other symptoms of migraine. Retinal migraine involves repeated bouts of short-lasting, diminished vision or blindness.

Can anxiety cause retinal migraines?

Ocular migraines can be a nuisance but usually no treatment is required. Often a patient’s first ocular migraine can be very alarming causing anxiety which can trigger further ocular migraines.

What does it mean when you see zig zags in your vision?

Seeing spots, zig-zags, flashes of light or double vision can be a sign of an ocular migraine, a kind of migraine without a headache.

What does it mean to have a retinal migraine?

Retinal Migraine is a form of migraine with repeated attacks of visual disturbances that occur in only one eye before the headache phase of the migraine attack. The term “retinal migraine” is often misused to mean any migraine that involves any visual symptoms or a migraine with visual symptoms but without the headache phase of the attack.

How does a scotoma differ from a retinal migraine?

Unlike in retinal migraine, a scintillating scotoma involves repeated bouts of temporary diminished vision or blindness and affects vision from both eyes, upon which sufferers may see flashes of light, zigzagging patterns, blind spots, or shimmering spots or stars.

How long do visual effects of retinal migraine last?

The visual effects of a retinal migraine usually last no more than an hour. Not all retinal migraine attacks come with a headache or nausea, but such symptoms may last longer — potentially for more than a day. Retinal migraine risk factors Both children and adults of any age can experience retinal migraine.

What kind of medication do you take for retinal migraine?

There are no clear guidelines for the management of patients with retinal migraine. For infrequent attacks, medications used for other forms of migraine are often employed to relieve the other symptoms. These medications can include NSAIDs and antinausea medications.