Visual migraines are intense headaches that cause visual disturbances, such as seeing flashing lights or blind spots. These symptoms are temporary and often come on suddenly.
A visual migraine not only affects your comfort, but can also have an impact on your family life, your work, and your social life. Let’s learn more about the causes, symptoms, and relief options for visual migraine.
Types of Visual Migraines
There are two types of visual migraine, namely, retinal migraine and migraine with aura. Migraine with aura is usually characterized by visual disturbance in both eyes, such as:
- Flashes of light
- Blind spots
- Seeing stars
- Numbness
- Tingling
Some people may also experience aura (the visual disturbances) without the headache that’s typically associated with migraine. The visual disturbances can last for around 30 minutes, affecting activities such as reading and driving.
Retinal migraines, on the other hand, usually only affect one eye. The visual disturbances are often more severe than migraine with aura and can last anywhere between five to 20 minutes. They can occur several times a day and because they’re rarer in occurrence, they may indicate a serious underlying health issue.
Causes of Visual Migraine
Both types of migraines share similar triggers. These include the following:
- Caffeine consumption
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Menstruation
- Getting too light or too much sleep
- Bending over
Migraines can sometimes be hereditary – there is a genetic component to visual migraine as well. According to The Migraine Trust, 60% of people who experience migraines have their genes to blame, and it’s believed that as many as 50% of visual migraine cases are linked to family history of migraine headaches.
Treatment and Prevention for Visual Migraine
Treatment options will differ depending on the type of visual migraine presented. For migraines with aura, an over-the-counter pain reliever may help to prevent the headache from worsening. The good news is that in most cases, these migraine symptoms dissipate on their own within 30 minutes. Treating visual aura is also possible without using medicine. You must avoid stress and ensure you get enough sleep. While experiencing an aura migraine, try closing and relaxing your eyes until it passes.
Keeping a record of what you eat and your activities just before the visual migraine can also help point out potential triggers. Then you can try to avoid them in the future. If you are experiencing more severe retinal migraines, you should visit an eye doctor or your health care provider to determine whether the symptoms might indicate a serious condition such as retinal disease.
Seeking Professional Treatment for Your Visual Migraine
Migraines can be mild or an indication of a life-threatening condition. Visual migraine symptoms can resemble those of a stroke, retinal detachment, or other serious emergencies. You should contact a health care provider promptly to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis. A professional can also guide you toward other treatment options you may not have considered before, like gammaCore™ non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS).
Available with a prescription, gammaCore nVNS is clinically proven to provide drug-free relief for cluster headaches and migraines. This gentle, handheld device works by gently stimulating the vagus nerve to block the pain pathways associated with migraine. You can use it whenever a migraine strikes or twice daily for preventive care.
To see if gammaCore is right for you, visit our clinic finder to locate a health care provider near you, or contact our dedicated Customer Experience team at 888-903-2673 or customerservice@electrocore.com.
