Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • What Is an Ocular Migraine?
Content

Ask An Expert

What Is an Ocular Migraine?

Mark Saleh

Mark Saleh, M.D.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Question:

What is an ocular migraine, and how do I know if I'm having one?

Answer:

There are two different conditions that are sometimes referred to as ocular migraines.

The first consists of a migraine aura that results in visual symptoms, but the headache may not be present. This is due to migraine physiology affecting the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information. Both eyes are affected. Commonly occurring features include flashes of light, zigzag patterns and/or blurring. These symptoms may expand over the visual field before resolving, usually within an hour. A healthcare professional can make this diagnosis based on the description of symptoms alone, particularly when there is a personal and/or family history of migraine, although diagnostic testing is sometimes required to rule out other causes.

Retinal migraines, which are relatively rare, are also referred to as ocular migraines. Retinal migraines only affect one eye. They occur in association with a migraine headache and symptoms consist of loss of vision with occasional flashing lights. The duration of vision loss is less than one hour. However, loss of vision affecting one eye may be due to a more serious problem, and prompt medical attention is required, even if the symptoms have resolved.

Related Questions

Question
  • Progesterone Treatment for Migraines
    Will taking progesterone help prevent a migraine?
  • Perimenopause and Migraines
    Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
  • Is Vertigo a Migraine Symptom?
    I was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo. Is vertigo, sometimes accompanied by nausea, a common precursor to migraines? My migraines don't usually have debilitating headaches; the vertigo is the worst symptom.
  • Can Dehydration Trigger a Migraine?
    I've been having visual migraines where I get jagged vision, usually in my left eye, and progressing from the lower right edge to encompass my whole left visual field. Could this be the result of dehydration?
  • Acupunture as a Migraine Treatment?
    I am a frequent migraine sufferer and I was told that acupuncture can actually help more than drugs to prevent attacks. Is this true?

Back to Migraines and Headaches

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences