What is ocular migraine?
Ocular migraine is also called retinal, optical, or eye migraine. It is a type of migraine that affects only one eye, causing scintillation (flashes of light), scotoma (blind spots), or even temporary vision loss. However, these disturbances usually last an hour or less and are often linked to headaches.
Ocular migraine is different from migraine visual aura, which affects both eyes. It is thought to result from disruptions in blood flow to the retina. This can affect the brain’s processing of visual signals from the eyes. As a result, the brain struggles to interpret these signals, causing ocular migraine.
How common is ocular migraine?
Ocular migraine is a rare condition; therefore, its exact prevalence is unknown. However, migraines generally affect women (18.2%) more than men (6.5%).
Ocular migraine is more common in white people, followed by blacks, and less common in Asians. It can start as early as age 7, but most people experience it in their 20s, with a peak in their 40s.
What are the four stages of ocular migraine?
Occur migraine is divided into two types: retinal migraine and migraine with aura. A classical migraine attack with aura develops in four stages. These include:
1-Prodromal phase:
The prodromal phase happens before a migraine attacks you and lasts for 24/48 hours. During this time, you may feel changes in your behaviour; you could become irritable or unusually excited, start craving certain foods, or even experience a stiff neck.
2-Aura:
This stage is specific to ocular migraine and is characterised by visual disturbance that involves only one of your eyes and lasts for 5-60 minutes.
3-Headache:
During the headache stage, you feel moderate to severe pain, usually on one side of your head, often throbbing or pulsating. This pain is accompanied by heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, which can exacerbate the discomfort. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, and this stage typically lasts from 4 to 72 hours.
4-Postdrome phase:
This is the stage after a migraine attack, characterised by confusion and lethargy and can last for one day.
What are the signs and symptoms of ocular migraine?
Signs and symptoms of ocular migraine are temporary and may include:
- Flashes of light in one eye (scintillations)
- Areas of decreased or lost vision (scotoma)
- Complete or partial vision loss
- Temporary blind spots
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Zig-zag patterns
- Coloured spots/lines
What are the causes/risk factors for ocular migraine?
While the exact cause of ocular migraine is unknown, it is believed to be related to disturbances in the blood vessels that supply blood to the retina. These disruptions can result in visual problems, although normal vision typically returns once blood vessels relax and circulation is restored.
In addition, genetic factors also play a contributing role. As per research, 29% of people experiencing ocular migraine have a history of migraine headaches, while 50% of people have a family history of migraine.
Some common factors that can trigger ocular migraines include:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Exercise
- High altitude
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperthermia (increased body temperature)
- Eye strain (e.g., excessive screen time)
- Contraceptive pills (birth control pills)
- Natural hormonal changes
- Exposure to intense light
- Dehydration
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
People with diseases like atherosclerosis, lupus, or sickle cell anaemia are also at higher risk of developing ocular migraine.
Treatment of ocular migraine with ANF Therapy®️:
There is no test to diagnose this condition. Your ANF Therapist will diagnose ocular migraines by taking a detailed history and performing a physical examination of your eyes to check the visual distribution in both eyes and rule out other causes of the headache.
History:
In history, your ANF Therapist will ask questions about occular migraines. These include:
- What are your presenting complaints?
- In which eye do you feel pain?
- What is the quality of pain, moderate or severe?
- Duration of pain or symptoms
- Are there any trigger factors?
- Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
- Medical history
- Family history
- Social history
Physical examination:
During physical examination, the ANF Therapists will inspect your eye, check its position, and perform the following tests.
Visual acuity test:
In this test, you’ll be asked to read letters on an eye chart from a specific distance to measure how clearly you can see. This helps assess the sharpness of your vision in both eyes.
Visual field test:
In this test, your ANF Therapist will check for any areas of vision loss, including blind spots, by asking you to focus on a central point while detecting objects or lights in your peripheral vision.
Eye movement test:
Your eyes will be examined, and you will be asked to follow a target moving in different directions to check for any abnormalities in eye movement.
Pupil reflex test:
In this, your ANF Therapist check how your pupils respond to the light and darkness with the help of a torch.
After a physical examination, your ANF Therapist will gently palpate the affected area to check for tenderness and temperature.
Neurological examination:
In neurological examination, your ANF Therapist will check your eye reflexes, the strength of your eye muscles, and sensation to rule out other neurological disorders.
Application of ANF Devices:
ANF Therapy®️ offers a groundbreaking solution for those suffering from ocular migraines by addressing two key factors, inflammation and neural oscillation stability. This treatment uses ANF Devices. They work by:
Reducing Inflammation:
Ocular migraines are often linked to invisible inflammation in the body. Anti-inflammatory ANF Devices are applied to certain parts of the body that emit specific frequencies to reduce inflammation at the cellular level. By targeting the root cause of inflammation, ANF Therapy®️ helps alleviate the symptoms associated with ocular migraines, providing rapid relief and preventing future episodes.
Stabilising Neural Oscillation:
Neural oscillation refers to the rhythmic activity of neurons in the brain. In ocular migraines, these oscillations can become weak, leading to visual disturbances and headaches. ANF Therapy®️ works to stabilise these neural oscillations, promoting optimal neurological function. This stabilisation helps prevent the erratic neural activity that triggers ocular migraines, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.
Expected outcome:
According to Dr Mikel H-G Hoff, the founder of ANF Therapy®️, most patients feel an improvement in their migraine symptoms after a few minutes of applying ANF Devices. This therapy is a step-by-step procedure because individual response may vary depending on the severity of conditions and the body’s response. ANF Therapy®️ aims to reduce pain by 50% after the first session. However, response to ANF Therapy®️ may differ in different individuals, depending on the severity of the disease.
Follow-up:
Regular follow-ups are essential to treat ocular migraines and check the efficacy of ANF Devices. Your ANF Therapist will guide you on the number of follow-up sessions and treatment duration. You will need to change ANF Devices after 72 hours. Your therapist will create a personalised treatment plan for you and educate you about these changes.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ offers an innovative tool for managing ocular migraine. By utilising wearable ANF Devices that emit neurological frequencies, ANF Therapy®️ aims to modulate inflammatory responses, promote healing, and support overall well-being related to health. This non-pharmacological therapy provides a safe and effective approach that improves disease outcomes by targeting the root cause. If you’re suffering from occular migraine, consult an ANF Practitioner or find an ANF Therapist at www.findanf.com to start your treatment with ANF Therapy®️ today!
If you’re a healthcare practitioner aiming to enhance your clinical skills with ANF Therapy®️, learn more about the ANF Clinical education program by visiting www.anfacademy.com
What is the prognosis of ocular migraine?
The prognosis of ocular migraine is generally positive. Though these attacks are painful and distressing, they are usually temporary. Most individuals return to normal vision without any lasting effects. However, in rare cases, permanent vision loss can occur.
What are the complications of ocular migraine?
Ocular migraine is usually benign, but it might cause complications in some cases, including:
- Eye stroke/central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO): This condition occurs when the central retinal artery is blocked, leading to vision disturbances.
- Retinal infarction/branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO): Blocked blood flow to the branch retinal artery results in this condition, which affects vision.
- Central retinal vein occlusion: This involves decreased blood flow in the central retinal vein, resulting in various vision complications.
- Retinal haemorrhages cause bleeding within the retina, which can lead to swelling (edema) and further visual disturbances.
- Ischemia of the choroid/optic nerve occurs when blood flow is restricted, thus affecting the function of the optic nerve.
- Vitreous haemorrhage occurs due to bleeding within the vitreous humour, which can cause sudden vision changes.
How to prevent ocular migraine?
Taking proactive steps can help prevent ocular migraine. Start by keeping a journal of activities that happen before an ocular migraine. This can help identify personal triggers.
Once triggers are recognised, try to avoid them. Common strategies include managing stress, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated. Moreover, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and avoid alcohol/caffeine. This can also help manage the condition. Limiting screen time and taking breaks can help minimise eye strain, a common trigger for migraines. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.
FAQs:
What triggers an ocular migraine?
Several factors can trigger the ocular migraine. These are :
- Bright light
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Hormonal changes
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Dehydration
What is the difference between migraine with aura and ocular migraine?
Due to their similar presentations, migraines with aura and ocular migraine are often confused. However, in migraines with aura, visual disturbances such as flashes of light and blind spots affect both eyes. Conversely, ocular migraine involves visual disturbances, like blind spots or vision loss in only one eye.
What vitamin deficiency causes ocular migraine?
According to the study, vitamin D deficiency can trigger ocular migraines. This vitamin is essential for nerve health and inflammation, so when you are low in vitamin D, you are prone to ocular migraines.
Does drinking water help in ocular migraine?
Yes, drinking adequate water can help with ocular migraine. Dehydration can trigger ocular migraine. Therefore, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to prevent migraine attacks.
Can ANF Therapy®️ treat ocular migraine?
Yes, ANF Therapy®️ can be helpful in treating ocular migraines. This therapy aims to modulate neurological frequencies with the help of ANF Devices. You can consult an ANF Practitioner or find a nearby clinic atwww.findanf.com.
