Ocular migraines are sometimes called retinal, eye or ophthalmic migraines. Migraines are neurological conditions that cause chronic headaches. At times, the eye is affected by the migraine attack, causing migraine symptoms in the eye itself. Some individuals experience an aura before the migraine that signifies a headache is imminent. These auras may cause some similar symptoms as the retinal migraine but are part of a separate condition. Ocular migraine symptoms usually disappear after about 20 minutes without treatment.
Blind Spot
A blind spot, a symptom of an ocular migraine, is a decreased area of vision that appears in the middle of the field of vision. The blind spot may cause blurry vision or a darkened spot in the visual field. The spot enlarges along with lights until it becomes so large that it disappears.
Lights
Along with the blind spot, the individual experiences lights in the eye. The lights may appear as bright spots that flicker, called scintillations. Another common light appears as a zigzag line, called a metamorphopsia. The bright lights appear white or yellowish and expand in size with the blind spot. The lights appear in a circular or semicircular shape around the blind spot. Eventually, the lights expand beyond the visual field.
Duration
According to AllAboutVision.com, the typical duration for an ocular migraine is around 20 minutes and does not usually last longer than 30 minutes.
Frequency
Ocular migraines are not common. If the symptoms become frequent or bothersome, a physician may prescribe medication.
Pain
The ocular migraine may precede or follow a headache, but not always. The eye does not experience any pain during the eye migraine.
Unilateral
According to the Mayo Clinic, the ocular migraine occurs in only one eye at a time. If the symptoms occur in both eyes at the same time, it is more likely to be a migraine aura, not an ocular migraine.
