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Ocular Migraines

The classic migraine is a severe headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea. Ocular migraines are visual disturbances in which visual images look gray or have a wavy appearance. They almost always occur in only one eye. Other common symptoms include of vision, particularly in one eye, and increased sensitivity to bright lights. Visual distortion, when it occurs, normally begins in the center of vision and then moves off to one side.

An ocular migraine can occur either in conjunction with the common migraine or without a corresponding headache. Generally, when it accompanies a common migraine, the visual disturbances happen before the onset of headache symptoms. In younger people with common migraine, it is typical for ocular migraines to occur as well. As people age, it becomes more common to experience ocular migraines without headache symptoms.

In general, there are no serious complications caused by ocular migraine. Treatment, in most instances, is not necessary unless the ocular migraine is linked to common migraine. If this condition should happen when driving, it is imperative that the driver pull over to

the side of the road until the condition has gone.

ocumig1.gif (6093 bytes) Certain foods can aggravate ocular migraines, such as chocolates, aged cheeses, red wine, pickled herring, and MSG.

A Medical Sketch of What a Patient Might

Expect to See During an Ocular Migraine

FOODS TO AVOID

FOR MIGRAINE DISEASE PATIENTS

· Chocolate

· Aged cheeses

· Nuts

· Herring

· Coffee

· Tea

· Anything containing Nitrites

· Any alcoholic beverages

o Red Wine

o Gin

o Bourbon

o Beer

· Sausages

o Wieners

o Lunch meats

· MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

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