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Optic Migraine Treatment

Optic migraines---or ocular migraines---fall into two different categories, according to WebMD. This term can describe migraines resulting from restricted blood flow to one eye typically lasting five minutes or less or, more commonly, migraines with aura---migraines that cause a number of visual disturbances with or without pain. Treatment will depend on the type of ocular migraine you experience.

  1. Treatment Goal

    • Treatment for ocular migraines of both kinds aims to treat acute attacks and prevent new ones.

    Avoiding Triggers

    • Avoiding migraine triggers is a main part of treatment. According to WebMD and the Mayo Clinic, common triggers for these types of headaches include birth control pills and other medications containing estrogen, smoking, high blood pressure, stress, fatigue, low blood sugar, dehydration and excessive heat. Dietary triggers for aura migraines include red wine, certain types of cheeses, MSG and nitrates---dietary triggers do not seem to play a role in the other type of ocular migraine, according to WebMD.

    Medication for Migraine with Aura

    • Medications for migraine with aura include preventive and acute treatments. They include triptans, ergots, anti-nausea medication, blood pressure medications, antidepressants and anti-epileptic drugs.

    Medication for Ocular Migraine

    • Medications for ocular migraines include calcium channel blockers to relax the blood vessels in the eye. They are used both preventively and during acute attacks, according to WebMD. Nitroglycerin and Diamox might also work.

    Alternative Treatment

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, certain natural treatments might work and include acupuncture, herbal treatments feverfew and butterbur, vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10 and biofeedback.

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