Retinal Migraine

Symptoms

Retinal migraines usually affect one eye.

They often come on suddenly and symptoms include:

• vision loss – this usually lasts around 10 to 20 minutes but can sometimes last up to 1 hour
• a blind spot in your vision
• a headache – you may get this at the same time as the eye symptoms or shortly afterwards
• other eye symptoms, such as blurred vision and seeing flashing lights, zigzag patterns or coloured spots or lines
• feeling sick or being sick

Sometimes you can get the eye symptoms without having a headache.

Causes

Retinal migraines are thought to happen when the blood vessels in your eye suddenly narrow, restricting the blood flow.

Things that can cause them include:

• stress
• caffeine and alcohol

• dehydration
• smoking
• high blood pressure
• bending over
• low blood sugar
• some types of hormonal contraception

Treatment Options

Treatment for retinal migraines is not usually needed if you do not have them very often.

If you have them frequently, a GP may suggest:

• trying to avoid things that cause your migraines, such as cutting down on caffeine or alcohol
• painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• medicines to stop you feeling sick or being sick
• medicines to help prevent migraines, such as topiramate or amitriptyline
• a few weeks of acupuncture

If these treatments do not help control your migraines, you may be referred to a specialist called a neurologist for more tests and treatment.

Prevention Tips

Things you can do if you get retinal migraines

There are things you can do if you get retinal migraines. A GP may suggest trying them before recommending other treatments:

• try sleeping or lying down in a dark room during a migraine
• drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration

• have a healthy diet and eat meals at regular times
• exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep
• try to keep to a healthy weight
• try to manage your stress levels
• avoid things you know can trigger migraines like caffeine and alcohol

When To See A Doctor

See a GP if you have retinal migraines and:

• they're getting worse
• you're getting them more often
• there's a change to your usual symptoms

Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

• you have vision problems, such as a blind spot in your vision, for the first time