![]() If you are operating machinery (truck, car, bike, etc.) pull over as soon as you safely can and wait for the visual disturbance to pass. If you or someone you know is experiencing an ocular migraine or classic migraine aura, it is best to take a break from whatever you are doing. Like a classic migraine aura, an ocular migraine may be a symptom of an impending severe headache, although this is not always the case. This blur spot often starts in central vision and moves outward. Some individuals describe ocular migraines as sudden blur in a part of their vision that cannot be cleared up with blinking, glasses, or further concentration. the main differentiating symptom is that ocular migraines tend to present with a sudden absence or blurring of part of an individual’s vision. The main difference between these systems is that the retina does not contain pain-detecting nerves, meaning the visual disturbance observed during an ocular migraine typically does not present with associated pain.Īdditionally, while an ocular migraine can present similarly to a classic migraine aura with zig-zags of light, multicolored lights, etc. However, researchers have been able to monitor size of blood vessels during an ocular migraine attack, and have seen a similar dilation of the retinal vasculature similar to the dilation of blood vessels observed during a classic brain migraine. The exact mechanism of ocular migraines is not well understood. This means it also contains neurons, roughly 10 billion neurons per eye to be exact! The eye is technically an extension of the brain. ![]() On the other hand, an ocular migraine is a migraine (hyper-excitation of neurons) occurring within the eye itself. A headache may or may not occur following an aura. Auras can last anywhere from just a few seconds to over an hour. The visual phenomenon can move across one’s vision, or may remain stationary. A migraine, therefore, can occur in any lobe of the brain, and can spread from one area to another over time.Ī classic migraine can have a visual disturbance, called an aura, when the neurons affected extend into the occipital cortex-the part of the brain responsible for image processing.Īn aura can present in a variety of different ways including black and white or multicolored zig-zags within the vision, a “kaleidoscope” appearance of vision, random geometric shapes within vision, or even “sparklers of light” within the vision.įor this reason, auras can be quite scary. Where a migraine occurs depends on where the affected neurons are located. This dilation of blood vessels increases the surface area of the blood vessels, often resulting in the vessel wall compressing onto pain-detecting nerve s, resulting in the head pain better known as an intense headache. As this process occurs, the brain responds by dilating its blood vessels. ![]() Th e hyper- excitement of neurons can spread to other subsets of neurons nearby. Some common triggers for migraines include strong smells, bright lights, certain foods, stress, and heat. In a classic migraine, for whatever reason, a subset of neurons becomes hyper-excited, resulting in an over-stimulation of the affected neurons. Similar to electric wiring, when stimulated, neurons fire, entering an excited state. There are over 86 billion neurons within the brain. Neurons are branch-like cells that transmit electrical signals from one part of the body to another. The central nervous system-the nervous system making up the brain and spine-has a unique type of communication via specialized cells called neurons. To best understand the different between the two, it is best to have a basic understanding of what causes a migraine in the first place. While migraines are often thought of as extremely painful, sometimes debilitating headaches, they can also affect vision, with or without a subsequent headache.īut what is a migraine, and what determines if vision will be affected?īelieve it or not, a classic migraine (the stereotypical, very painful headache type) is a separate entity from an ocular migraine, although the two are often commonly confused as they can present quite similarly. Most individuals have heard of, if not experienced on their own, a migraine.
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