What Causes Ocular Migraines?

Migraine Crystal L.

Bright lights

Sensitivity to bright lights is known as photophobia. Ocular migraines are associated [16] with photophobia. This is not an independent cause of ocular migraines. It is both a symptom and a trigger. According to the American Migraine Foundation, many people report exposure to bright lights as a migraine trigger [17]. Their migraine episodes were often relieved by moving to more dimly lit areas.

Certain foods

Some foods are triggers [18] for many types of migraines, including ocular migraines. Artificial sweeteners and food additives such as monosodium glutamate can trigger migraine episodes. Chocolates, smoked meat, caffeinated drinks, red wine, and aged cheese are some of the most common food triggers.

Conclusion

Ocular migraines are usually harmless, but sudden changes in how you experience them may need urgent medical attention. There is no cure available since the cause is not known. If you have ocular migraines, you should avoid common triggers that can induce an episode. Pay attention to how your episodes proceed and get plenty of sleep.

References:

[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/retinal-migraine/

[2] https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ocular-migraine-basics

[3] https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm

[4] https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ocular-migraine-basics

[5] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders

[6] http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/basics/causes/con-20026358

[7] https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3253157/

[9] https://headaches.org/2005/08/12/facts-about-migraine/

[10] https://www.excedrin.com/migraines/causes/are-migraines-hereditary/

[11] https://www.healthline.com/health/causes-of-ocular-migraines#hormone-levels

[12] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders

[13] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/retinal-migraine/

[14] https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Behavioral-Infographic_V3_FINAL.pdf

[15] https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000000332

[16] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11168601/

[17] https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/top-10-migraine-triggers-and-how-to-deal-with-them/

[18] https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm

Crystal L. April 12, 2021

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