Ocular Migraine Stroke

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.

Symptoms and Treatments for Ocular Migraine Stroke

The exact cause of ocular migraine is not known, but it is believed to be caused by the unusual stimulation of some nerves at the back of the brain. In the case of a classical migraine, spasms affect the surface of the brain, but in the case of ocular migraine stroke, the blood supply to the brain’s vision area or eye is affected. There are no fixed patterns associated with this migraine, and it is possible to have several ocular migraine strokes in a week and then not have them for months or even years.

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.

If you suffer from regular headaches, it is best to consult your physician so that other reasons of headache and vision distortion can be ruled out. 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. It is also advisable to consult the neurologist who can rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as migraine with aura, stroke or blood clot in the retinal artery.