Ever felt blurred vision, blurred vision, blurred vision or seeing zigzags in one eye (in a small spot) while feeling nausea? You may have an optical, or, terminologically correct ocular, migraine. Yes, I did say “migraines”, even though there is rarely a headache.
Optical Migraine
There are many names for an optical migraine. I’m still learning my way around it, as I’ve had this condition for years. It can be called a migraine aura without headaches, an eye migraine without headaches, an ophthalmic migraine without headaches, a visual migraine without headaches, a migraine aura without headaches, or a typical aura.
It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s still a migraine with the same symptoms, especially one-eye. An optical migraine is caused when there is a reduced supply of blood in the blood vessels that supply blood the retina. This is due to a narrowing or tightening of these vessels. It can also affect the vision part of the brain’s arteries. This type of migraine usually lasts for a few minutes. It is rare that it lasts longer than 20 minutes.
Did you know?
Regular vision will then return to normal. Other symptoms include increased sensitivity to light, very loud sounds, nausea due to the nausea, and fatigue. Optical migraines are often caused by stress. There are other triggers that can be involved in migraine attacks, such as eating aged cheeses and chocolates (yes, they are delicious but can be very harmful to someone with migraine), MSG (monosodium glucamate), which is a substance that gives food flavor but is also known to be dangerous to the eyes, and caffeine.
Like any other health condition, a change to your diet and lifestyle will usually reduce the chance of suffering from migraine attacks. Your eyes will benefit from foods rich in vitamin A and C, as well as beta-carotene. Regular, vigorous exercise is also a good idea to relieve stress, which can lead to migraines. Smoking may be a contributing factor to your migraines. You can quit smoking, or you can quit being a smoker. This type of migraine isn’t bothersome, so some people just let it go. Some people mistake this for a sign of a stroke or heart attack.
Conclusion
Although it is not a reason to visit the doctor, it is a good idea to see one if you experience any of these symptoms. This is to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing your death. You can live a happier, more pain-free, and less migraine-free life. Seek out a doctor to help you see how you can live a better life in a imperfect world with perfectly healthy eyes.