Can anxiety cause ocular 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 ocular migraine aura look like?

It may start as a small hole of light, sometimes bright geometrical lines and shapes in your visual field. This visual aura may expand into a sickle- or C-shaped object, with zigzag lines on the leading edge. As it moves, it may appear to grow.

Should I worry about ocular migraines?

Aura is generally harmless. The visual disturbances may temporarily interfere with certain daily activities such as reading or driving, but the condition usually is not considered serious. It has been noted, however, that aura may be associated with a small increased risk of stroke (cerebral infarction) in women.

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

People may use the terms ocular migraine and retinal migraine to mean the same thing, but there are some important differences. An ocular migraine generally occurs in both eyes. A retinal migraine is rare and tends to occur in just one eye, when vessels that supply the eye with blood narrow.

Can dehydration cause ocular migraines?

Harsh lighting, long screen time, other visual strain, stress, dehydration, food additives, and other causes all may trigger an ocular migraine, a subtype that focuses in the eye and causes vision changes.

What causes zig zags in your eyes?

Ocular Migraine Symptoms People with ocular migraines can have a variety of visual symptoms. Typically you will see a small, enlarging blind spot (scotoma) in your central vision with bright, flickering lights (scintillations) or a shimmering zig-zag line (metamorphopsia) inside the blind spot.

Why am I getting so many ocular migraines?

Ocular migraines are caused by reduced blood flow or spasms of blood vessels in the retina or behind the eye. In an ocular migraine, vision in the affected eye generally returns to normal within an hour. Ocular migraines can be painless or they can occur along with (or following) a migraine headache.

Why do I get ocular migraines so often?

Frequent ocular migraines are usually the result of a trigger of some type. Like migraines, ocular migraines can be triggered by a variety of things. Some examples include: Lights, sounds, or smells.

What is the best treatment for ocular migraine?

TREATING OCULAR MIGRAINE Take Preventive Steps. In addition to medication, doctors recommend quitting smoking and stopping the use of oral contraceptives in some instances. Try Prescription Drugs. Medications have been developed to help treat the symptoms that can often be taken in advance to head off migraines or reduce the severity of attacks. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices.

Why do I have frequent ocular migraines?

Frequent ocular migraines are usually the result of a trigger of some type. Like migraines, ocular migraines can be triggered by a variety of things. Some examples include: Lights, sounds, or smells. Looking at a computer screen or reading for long periods of time.

What is ocular migraine stroke?

Ocular Migraine Stroke: A Brief Review. An ocular migraine occurs when blood flow to the eye is constricted by the tightening of surrounding blood vessels. This can cause temporary vision loss and distortion, and a type of pain that feels similar to a headache.

What is a migraine visual aura?

Migraine aura: A sensory phenomenon that may occur before a migraine. Visual auras may include flashing lights, geometric patterns, or distorted vision. Some people may have aural auras that involve hearing sounds (usually buzzing) that are not actually present, olfactory auras that involve smelling odors…