Page 176 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition Jan-Feb 2020

unable to cope with extreme
to loud sounds, bright lights
and strong odour; some may
even experience anxiety and
sensations of nausea.
3. Many patients may complain
of seeing a dark yet bright blob
of light that starts at the center
of one's vision and seems to
spread toward the corners of the
visual field.
4. Although an encounter with such
visual symptoms may frighten the
respective patient, it is to be noted
that these are usually temporary
and do not last for more than an
hour. However, non-visual signs
like intense pain, numbness and
uncomfortable tingles in the
body need to be addressed at the
earliest as they may last from a few
hours to a couple of days.
CAUSES OF OCULAR
MIGRAINE
The exact reasons for occurrence
of ocular migraines is yet unknown
but there are many theories that
seem plausible.
1. People with a history of migraine
headaches in the family are more
prone (up to 70 percent or more)
to experience such episodes due
to genetic conditions.
2. Many researchers have carried
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weather changes etc.
PREVENTION AND CURE
Ocular migraine may occur at
any time and even though the
incident resolves itself in a few
moments, it is integral to take
precautions and work toward healing
the condition as in the case of this
type of migraine, the focus is more on
‘reducing’ the symptoms.
out brain imaging, while a patient
experiences ocular migraine, 1. One must stop whatever activity
in order to dig deeper into the they are involved in, especially
condition and comprehend as high risk activities like driving. Take
a few deep breaths once the vision
to why it takes place. The closest returns back to normal before
understanding of the condition resuming the chore.
seems to be that an ‘episode’ 2. It has been noted that
occurs due to inflammation in the acupuncture is also an effective
head that causes the brain and
its blood vessels to swell up and tool in reducing the recurrence of
migraine episodes.
pressurise the nerves. 3. Lifestyle changes have a major
3. During menstruation, pregnancy
and menopause, women undergo impact in controlling the episodes
hormonal fluctuations in their - more physical activities like
playing sports and working out,
bodies that may also be correlated eating healthy and at regular
with ocular migraines – thus they
are said to occur more frequently intervals, drinking plenty of
water, avoiding stress-inducing
in the female gender. situations, not staring at any kind
of screen for too long, consciously
4. Some of the common triggers experiencing 'happy moments'
include, staring at a screen for
longer periods of time, driving daily can bring about a major
long distances, inadequate sleep difference, besides other such
and water, untimely eating habits, daily changes.
Ocular migraines do not have any
OCULAR direct and specific treatment plan but
MIGRAINE a blend of changes can help reduce,
IS A RARE and slowly remove, the migraine
CONDITION attacks. The frequency must be
carefully noted and a doctor needs to
THAT CAUSES be consulted if the condition persists.
Underlying issues can often be
VISUAL overlooked by a layman which is why
CONSTRAINTS a specialist is needed to help strike
them out.
02/15/2020 16:37