How to Get Rid of a Visual Migraine

If you’ve ever noticed something odd happening to your vision, such as lights flashing, resembling zigzagging bolts of lightning, combined with a blind spot, which was over almost as quickly as it began, you may have had a visual migraine, also referred to as an ocular, silent or ophthalmic migraine. You’re not alone. Silent migraines affect women more than men and those with a family history of migraines. Its symptoms can be mild enough to not need treatment or severe enough to send you to bed.

Things You'll Need

• Ibuprofen or naproxen
• Quiet and private location

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Instructions

• 1

  Symptoms

  Visual migraines, also referred to as ophthalmic, ocular or silent migraines, present all the same symptoms of a migraine except for the pain and headache that follows the visual or aura effects. Physical (fatigue and nausea) and emotional (irritability and confusion) symptoms can precede a migraine attack by 24 hours. The aura symptoms that follow can include blind spots, jagged lines, spots, tunnel vision and auditory distortions. Occasionally, speech and memory difficulties are also present. Other disturbances can occur along with the visual symptoms, such as disorientation, tingling in the extremities or on the face, and difficulty with speech. Auras generally last for less than an hour. It is often helpful to rest in a quiet, dark environment to alleviate symptoms

• 2

  Causes

  Triggered by a cramp in the blood vessels behind the eye, visual migraines are considered a neurovascular event because they involve nerve cell activity and affect blood flow. Several factors that can trigger a visual or silent migraine are stress, hormonal changes, certain foods (such as caffeine, chocolate and nuts) and foods that contain tyramine (cheese and wine), lack of sleep, sensitivity to weather variations, and loud noises.

• 3

  Treatment

  Although the symptoms of a visual migraine subside quickly, over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen (Advil, Motrin or Aleve) may be taken to help alleviate the effects. Keeping a diary of your symptoms is an important part of your treatment plan. Be sure to note any stressors, changes in sleep patterns and foods that you eat before migraines; this information will be important to your doctor to assist in a proper course of treatment. Make an appointment with your doctor or ophthalmologist to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. Prescription medication may be prescribed for patients who have migraines on a regular basis, thereby interfering with their daily lives.

  The best prevention is to pay attention to your triggers, avoiding them as much as possible. Take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising and lessening your exposure to stress. Alternative treatments to consider are acupuncture, biofeedback and meditation.