See Spots and Dots? Ocular Migraines

I got my first eye exam in the third grade.  My vision was just fine as far as I was concerned but I was continually having headaches near my left eye.  These headaches would stop me in my tracks; sometimes make me sick, and rather unhappy.  They were migraines.  The trip to the eye doctor to get a comprehensive eye examination was a first step to see if my headaches had something to do with my vision.

Although my head pain didn’t have anything to do with the quality of my vision, headaches specifically migraines are debilitating occurrences that can impact vision for a certain period of time.  In a Caring.com article ocular migraines are mentioned as a red flag issue affecting the eyes that should be monitored for overall health and wellbeing.  Ocular migraines sometimes called optical migraines or migraine auras according to the article can produce a small blind spot in vision with shimmering lights or a wavy line.

There cause is said to be from changes in the blood flow to the brain.  Ocular migraines first affect vision at the center of the field of vision with symptoms like a bright dot or line obstructing eye sight.  Vision is disrupted so that you are not able to see clearly.  There are different triggers according to eye doctors like Dr. Tavel from chocolate, stress, caffeine, and alcohol among others.  A headache typically follows this obstruction of vision with other migraine symptoms like nausea.

Seeing an eye doctor if vision impairment lasts more than an hour is suggested to ensure symptoms are not related to other health issues.  Vision will return back to normal after an ocular migraine though.  Being aware of this red flag issue affecting the eyes will save you from unneeded pain or blurry vision in the future!