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What are ocular migraines?

If you've ever had one, you know that ocular migraines are no fun. In fact, they can be even worse than a regular migraine.

That's because an ocular migraine, or ophthalmic migraine, is a type of migraine that causes vision loss. The loss of your sight might come in short bursts, or it could last longer. You might also have a headache before or after experiencing vision problems.

Ocular migraine symptoms can include:

  • Temporary vision loss (full or partial) in one or both eyes

  • Blind spots

  • Sparkling lights

  • Flashes of light

  • Zigzag lines in your vision

Given the symptoms, it's not surprising people sometimes call these migraines eye migraines, visual migraines, or optical migraines.

Your eye care professional might not use the term "ocular migraine." Instead, they might classify your headache as a retinal migraine or a migraine with aura — and not the spiritual kind. 

A retinal migraine is rare and often includes vision loss and a headache. A migraine with aura can cause vision issues, along with some tingling. While it might sound scary, a true ocular migraine is fairly harmless, and your sight should return in under an hour.

Think you've had one of these migraines? Give your eye care professional a call. The symptoms could also indicate a more serious condition, so it's a good idea to get it checked out. (We're all for proactive care!)

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about ocular migraines, including causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

What can cause ocular migraines?

The causes of ocular migraines aren't fully understood. Researchers think they happen because of something called retinal vasospasm — a long-winded term for blood vessels constricting behind your eyes. When the vessels get narrower, they can't deliver blood effectively. This prevents your retina from working correctly, causing loss of sight.

So, what can cause your blood vessels to constrict faster than a hungry python? High blood pressure, stress, and smoking are a few culprits. You could also experience this condition if you take birth control pills, as the hormonal fluctuations can be a trigger. (Though that's pretty rare.)

Let's look at other potential causes of ocular migraines:

  • High intake of caffeine or alcohol

  • Low blood sugar

  • Dehydration

  • Hyperthermia (high body temperature)

  • Exercise

  • High altitudes

If you're thinking these causes seem pretty general, you're not wrong. However, different activities and substances affect each person differently. Your friend might be able to chug coffee while dehydrated and climbing a mountain, but that same situation could land you in the back of a search and rescue UTV.

If you're prone to migraines, you might also be more likely to have the ocular version. (Talk about adding insult to injury.)

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What vitamin deficiency causes ocular migraines?

Vitamin deficiencies don't directly cause ocular migraines, but they may be a contributing factor. Scientific studies have found connections between migraines and low levels of vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. If you don't have enough of these vitamins in your system, it could cause migraines or make them worse.

What can be mistaken for ocular migraines?

Health conditions with similar symptoms to ocular migraines include strokes, retinal detachment, and optic neuritis. Here's a closer look at these conditions and how their symptoms differ:

  • Stroke: A stroke occurs when your brain can't get enough blood. Just like an ocular migraine, it can cause a loss of sight. And like a migraine with an aura, it can cause numbness or changes in speech. However, if you're having a stroke, you'd likely notice symptoms unrelated to migraines, including a drooping face or weakness in one arm.

  • Retinal detachment: This condition happens when your retina pulls away from the other layers of tissue in your eye. (Sounds awful, but it usually isn't painful.) It can cause you to see stars and lose vision in the affected eye, resembling an ocular migraine. However, it usually comes with other symptoms like a rapid increase in floaters crossing your field of vision — think dandelion seeds drifting midair, but only you can see them.

  • Optic neuritis: Caused by a swollen optic nerve, this condition can compromise the vision in the affected eye and cause flashing lights. Unlike vision loss from an ocular migraine, it can take weeks or months to get better. So, if your vision issue stops within an hour, it's probably not optic neuritis. (We'll join you in breathing a sigh of relief.)

Losing your vision in one eye doesn't always indicate an ocular migraine. If you notice additional issues — especially if they're symptoms of a stroke — get medical attention ASAP. Even if it's just a migraine, it's always better to be safe.

Is an ocular migraine a mini stroke?

No, an ocular migraine isn't a mini stroke. It's a temporary loss of vision caused by constricting blood vessels. If you're having an ocular migraine with aura, the issue likely stems from your nervous system.

A mini stroke is a different condition, but it can also cause vision problems in one eye. It happens when your brain's blood flow is restricted for a few minutes. You might have symptoms of a stroke, including numbness and slurred speech, but they usually go away within a day.

If you think you've had a mini stroke, it's a good idea to head to the emergency room. They aren't usually life-threatening but can be a warning sign for future problems. Your health care professional might recommend lifestyle changes that can help you stay healthy and happy. (You deserve it!)

What are the red flags for ocular migraines?

Ocular migraines aren't usually dangerous, but who wants spotty vision? You should seek medical attention if any of these red flags happen to you:

  • You've never had migraines or vision issues before.

  • Your vision loss lasts less than 5 minutes or more than 1 hour.

  • You lose your vision but don't get a headache.

  • You're older than 50. (We're not ageist, we promise.)

  • You experience numbness, weakness, or speech difficulties.

Most importantly, don't panic. These signs don't mean anything is necessarily wrong. It's always a good idea to get your eyes checked when new vision issues pop up. (It happens to lots of us as we get older.) 

And if your vision loss doesn't fit the usual pattern of an ocular migraine, your eye care professional will probably want to investigate it a little further to make sure there's nothing else going on.

Treatment: How to get rid of ocular migraines

If you're in the middle of a true ocular migraine, the most common treatment is to ride it out. The vision disturbances usually go away quickly, and you can use standard pain meds to treat the accompanying headache. However, if you experience signs of a stroke, such as numbness, weakness, or slurred speech, call 911 immediately.

Whether your ocular migraines are retinal migraines or migraines with aura, you can do several things to help prevent them:

  • Identify and avoid migraine triggers: When you get migraines — no matter what type they are — pay attention to what happened before they set in. Write them down and look for patterns to find the things that affect you most frequently. You might find that you often get migraines after eating cured meats or aged cheeses. (Who knew a charcuterie board could be such a problem?) Once you figure out what's most likely to set off a migraine, avoid it as often as possible — after all, that's what vegan options are for. 

  • Make lifestyle changes: As with many health conditions, migraines can often be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. (So simple, and yet it requires so much effort!) That means getting plenty of sleep (no doomscrolling), eating a nutritious diet (no nightly sweet treat), drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly. Be careful, though — exercise can be a double-edged sword and may actually trigger your ocular migraines. Because stress can also play a part, you might also try yoga and meditation. Connecting with your third eye is so much better than experiencing problems with your other two!

  • Curb your substance intake: Consuming alcohol, smoking, and drinking caffeine can contribute to ocular migraines. If you're having more frequent issues, it might be time to try the sober-curious lifestyle.

  • Get medical help: When your vision loss is part of a migraine with aura, your eye care professional might recommend triptans or dihydroergotamine. If it's caused by a retinal migraine due to high blood pressure, they might recommend medications to bring it down. Been a while since you had an eye exam? It might be time to get new prescription glasses.

If you've had an ocular migraine, you know they can be uncomfortable and frightening — unexplained vision problems always are. But once you rule out more serious issues, you can start finding ways to eliminate migraine triggers and keep headaches and vision loss at bay. Your eyes will thank you!

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Original publish date: 11/9/2021

Updated date: 7/28/2025