It’s estimated that nearly 39 million Americans suffer from migraines. More interesting, however, is that, from this percentage, a small percentage of these people develop something referred to as an eye migraines or ocular migraine. This phenomenon opens several other questions.
Is there any connection between ocular migraines and the possibility of one suffering a stroke? Now, this question touches us all. So, let us discuss the scope in such detail that deep-set information is put across in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Eye Migraines and its Symptoms
Ocular migraine is associated with a transient visual disturbance. This is an ocular migraine that often resolves in less than an hour and is primarily a transient problem.
But what’s the cause of this? It lies in, or, more precisely, behind one of your eye’s retinas. Visual migraines occur precisely because of a reduction in blood flow or spasms in that region’s blood vessels. See, it isn’t more streamlined now, eh? There are two clearly defined types of ocular migraines: retinal migraine and migraine with aura.
Firstly, with retinal migraines, you only experience the problem in one eye, whereas if it is a migraine with aura, both your eyes will have the issue. One usually experiences symptoms, including vision disturbances or loss, during an hour or during a headache.
In the case of migraine with aura, symptoms that may emerge include:
- Sudden flashes of light
- Blind spots
- numbness in hand or face
- Cloudy vision
- Straight lines appearing to bend or zigzag
- A scotoma represents a partial loss of vision.
- Little shining dots of light or a visual image seem shimmering as if looking through heat waves or water.
Interestingly, it was commented that some people experiencing migraine with aura could also have problems with motor skills, speech, and other sensory issues. In contrast, the symptoms of retinal migraine, though more intrusive, typically include:
- Vision loss or disturbance limited to one eye
- Perception of twinkling lights
- Transient blindness
Stroke and its Symptoms
A stroke is like hitting a roadblock in your brain’s bloodstream. It occurs suddenly when there is a blockage along the pathway for blood to reach your brain. All this may cause a very unpleasant thing to happen, with two possible causes. First, there is the so-called ischemic stroke, which is a situation likened to a nasty clot that hinders blood’s journey around your brain.
The difficulty could be coming from a hemorrhagic stroke, which is when one of your blood vessels ruptures and begins to bleed. This unhappy event puts some pressure on the tissues surrounding it in your brain.
Stroke symptoms can be unpredictable—they may creep up on you within seconds. So what should one look for? Here are some signs to be recognized:
The typical warning signs are numbness or weakness of the face and limbs—most probably the one side of your body—and you might even feel confused or have difficulty talking, which would add to the determination that you have just had a stroke.
Experiencing problems in your vision, in one or both eyes, is another sign you shouldn’t ignore. You may find that you’re having trouble seeing clearly or maintaining your balance while walking, or you may lack the coordination you usually would have.
Remember, such symptoms could come suddenly—it is very important to be on the lookout. A stroke is a serious matter, so knowing the symptoms really can make a difference in getting help quickly.
How are Both Linked?
Some of the symptoms of ocular migraines, such as disturbance of vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes, can strikingly mimic or imitate some of the symptoms of stroke. On the other hand, individuals who have to suffer through migraine with aura just might present with stroke dissimulators.
An aura-associated migraine may be mistaken for a transient ischemic attack, also called a ‘ministroke.’ The pains of a migraine headache may also, at times, bear an annoying similarity to pains felt with a stroke.
It is tough to diagnose the exact cause due to variations in headache symptoms unless there is diagnostic imaging. It should be of interest to note that most people with a history of migraine-related complications have, through diagnostic imaging, been found to have exactly similar changes to those in sufferers of stroke in the white matter of their brains.
Strokes Associated with Eye Migraines
Only if an aura migraine and an ischemic stroke take place at the same time such a stroke may be called migrainous. Still, these types of strokes represent no more than 1% of all sorts of strokes.
Understanding The Risks
Research has linked the experience of migraine attacks combined with what is referred to as aura to an increased risk of suffering an ischemic stroke. Although the exact mechanism of this association is not known, several theories have been postulated by researchers, including:
- Changes in vascular, inflammatory, or endothelial architecture of the brain
- A person’s gender (since women are more affected by migraines than men)
- Usage of oral contraceptive pills
- Smoking habits
A congenital heart defect called patent foramen ovale Vasoconstrictive drugs is often used for treating migraine. In 2016, after 25 years of research, the American Heart Association reported that patients with migraines combined with aura are 2.4 times more likely to have an ischemic stroke as opposed to those patients who do not have a migraine with aura.
A look further, in people who experience migraines and an aura, threefold more people are likely to have an ischemic stroke; the remarkable peculiarity of this is that it happens with some kind of clot or mass that starts from the heart and then travels up to the brain.
Those battling ocular migraines possess the ability to control two contributing factors that could decrease their odds of a stroke. That would be stopping smoking and not using the birth control pill. If you are a smoker, you should contact your doctor to discuss means of quitting. If you have migraines and take contraceptive pills, you may want to discuss alternatives with your physician.
Reducing Stroke Risk for Migraine Patients
Then again, regular health screenings and consultations with a neurologist who is also an expert in managing and preventing migraines may help maneuver you through this condition and reduce your chances of getting a stroke. Here’s what you need to talk to your doctor about:
- Explore prescription medications that are capable of reducing the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Have a thorough assessment of your susceptibility to a stroke.
- Explore alternative birth control methods that won’t increase your risk of developing blood clots.
Moreover, you can take more significant actions to minimize your stroke risk factor. These will involve fundamental lifestyle changes:
- Ceasing to smoke if you are one.
- Reducing your quantity of salt.
- Effectively managing other health disorders that might escalate your risk.
Treatment of Ocular Migraine
Medications aimed at symptoms of migraines are commonly favored for the infrequent bouts of ocular migraines. These could include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), like aspirin or ibuprofen
- Medications for the treatment of nausea
- Also, proactive drug therapies may be helpful. These could include:
- Calcium channel blockers
- Antiepileptic drugs
- Tricyclic medications
In addition to several nonmedical approaches and preventive measures, it is also helpful to:
- Giving your eyes some rest
- Resting in a dimly lit room
- Reducing stress levels
- Shielding against strong lighting
- Avoiding extensive periods of computer screen exposure
Your healthcare provider or an eye doctor can verify more of what you need to do to prevent migraine triggers. They are the correct entity that can bestow the most suitable solution for your condition. Remember, effective communication with your medical advisor can aid in choosing the best prevention strategy.
Dealing with Eye Migraines
Ocular migraines, specifically migraine with aura and retinal migraine, can affect both your eyes and one of your eyes, respectively. Such migraines can accompany disturbances in your eyes and even temporary loss of vision. Although there is an association between ocular migraines and the risk of experiencing a stroke, it has been shown by research studies that the risk is relatively low.
The risk, however, is significantly greater for smokers who are on oral contraceptives; therefore, if you smoke or are planning to, consult with your healthcare provider to set up a plan to quit smoking and discuss other methods of contraception.
