Do you experience ocular migraines?

[againstthegrain]

My daughter got them the first 6 weeks of college from the stress of keeping up w her work. In the midst of them she was unable to see and in excruciating pain, but once she transformed her study patterns from up all night studying like in high school, to doing all her course work, assignments, etc well in advance they went away never to return.

 

[Nathan]

I have, from time to time. No pain but felt dizzy once. Usually lasts 15 minutes, then back to normal living. No idea what the trigger is, but I suspected low blood sugar...

 

[Wren]

I have ocular migraines every couple of months or so, with flashing lights and unable to focus, I just sit quietly for 20/30 minutes until it passes then I’m left feeling drained

Mine can be set off by bright lights including sunlight

I was advised by my pharmacist to take a teaspoonful of sugar, the ‘flashing’ lights clear a little quicker so I always carry a few small sachets of sugar in my bag

It is frightening at first but, apparently, quite common

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[Warrigal]

Maybe this will be helpful. Mine are in both eyes (which is normal) and is now apparently called "migraine aura" and headache doesn't always come with it. This is a good article and I learned from it.

Don't confuse a serious condition with something minor

In my younger years I used to have full on migraines, shimmering light affecting vision and a full blown headache on one side of my head. There was also pins and needles in one arm and one side of my face.

I learned that if I took a high dose of aspirin, say 4 tablets instead of two, when the shimmer started, the headache was avoided.

Post menopause I began to observe the shimmer but the headache did not follow it. My GP called it a "silent migraine". Nothing very sinister apparently.

Silent migraines, also known as acephalgic migraines, are characterized by aura symptoms without the accompanying headache. These aura symptoms can include visual disturbances, sensory changes, and other neurological phenomena, and they typically develop over a period of up to 60 minutes. Although silent migraines do not involve the typical throbbing pain, they can still be disabling and significantly impact daily life. It is estimated that about 4% of people with migraines experience aura without a headache. Treatment options may include medications or devices to manage symptoms.