Ocular Migraine (Retinal Migraine) vs. Migraine Aura EXPLAINED | How to treat and prevent

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In this video, Dr. Michael Chua discusses ocular or retinal migraines and migraine with aura. He talks about the best ways to treat and prevent these conditions.

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:56 What are ocular migraines and migraine with aura?
2:16 Ocular Migraine (Retinal Migraine)
3:04 Ocular Migraine Triggers
3:40 Ocular Migraine Treatment and Prevention
5:33 Migraine Aura
6:24 Migraine Treatment and Prevention
7:13 Other Important Causes of Vision Loss
8:09 Summary

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#MichaelChuaMD #ocularmigraine #migraineaura #migraine

MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description were created for informational purposes only. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions you have regarding health conditions. Accessing, viewing or reading this content does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and the author.

[repro]

In my youth, I would sometimes get an aura, with the zigzag lines, flashing lights, etc. The first sign it was coming was a blind spot, like looking at a face, and I can't see the nose. The aura would get worse, going across my field of vision. I'm also feeling "out of it". Once the aura subsided, then came the hammer; an awful migraine. Now that I'm older, I still get aura's occasionally, but once it goes away, no migraine! I still feel sleepy, a bit dizzy, etc. I saw a neurologist, and he told me that can happen as you age. People who don't have migraines have no idea. "Take a tylenol" they say. No idea what they are like. Your life stops. Only a dark, cool, quiet room with a cold, wet cloth on my forehead would work, and max tylenol dose. I have only vomited a couple of times during a migraine, and its the worst thing imaginable; having a throbbing headache, and retching hard over a toilet...you just want it all to end. 59 yo male.

[deztroyer]

I get the jagged lines in both eyes (not 2 sets of lines…if I close just one eye, either one, it’s there in my vision in the same spot) and slight problem focusing straight ahead in the area of the lines. Usually takes about 20 minutes for the lines to slowly move across my vision until they’re gone. No headache or migraine ever follows. Happens a few times a year.

[iqqcbe]

My story goes like this. Migraine with aura on & off for 2 years -->Neurologist---> MRI---->Diagnosed with a Colloid cyst (benign tumour) and hydrocephalus---->ETV surgery---->Problem solved and never had migraine with aura again.

[phishfan]

I get an aura that starts as a tiny spot and then grows into a jagged kaleidoscope that blocks out the centre of my vision. I was diagnosed with ocular migraines, but it is in both eyes. I do not get the headache nor any other symptoms. The episodes last almost exactly 20 minutes and then completely disappear. Started about 5 years ago, happens a couple of times per year, sometimes while hiking or trail running especially in cool weather. Can also happen spontaneously.

[shewho]

My teenager has had “migraines” for several years now that mimic a stroke. One time, one side of her face was drooping, she lost sensation in her left sided hand and leg, and while she was talking to me, she was no longer speaking in a language I could understand. I raced her to the hospital, and because she had “migraines” on her previous chart, the triage nurses labeled it a headache and by the time the doctor got to us, it was too late for a CT or MRI and the event seemed to be correcting itself (much like a mini stroke). It’s horrifying every time it happens. Often, she loses all peripheral vision on one side or the other. I wish I could fix it for her.

[cyndimanka]

I had the auras, but I never had the headache. I went to my eye doctor, and he told me what it was. I figured it was stress. I haven’t had them for a very, very, very long time. I’m retired now, but it was when I was working and I’m going to say it was stress.

[dragonofcuriosity]

This video really helped me yo be less scared about what is happening when I experience this. Thank you.

[larynjanay]

Wow! I'm over 50 and have been having what I thought was ocular migraines for the last 10 years or so, after watching your video I now realize I don't have ocular migraines I have migraine aura! Thank you for making this video Dr. Chua!

[maryleigh]

Well its migraine aura for me. The trigger is reflected light. A bright flash of light, like the sun reflecting off the river. But there in no headache.

[lgbtrain]

Migraines with aura started 40 years ago, occurring biweekly. Neurologist prescribed taking 81mg aspirin daily. Migraines stopped by at least 95% over all these years. I still take it daily. When the migraines subsided, l asked how the aspirin actually prevents occurence. His reply "We don't know exactly, but we know its affective with many patients."

[imonearthnow]

Excellent information presentation. I wish more YouTube channels would stay on point the way you do. Thank you.

[juniperjasmine]

Well I'm glad someone knows about these migraines. I feel like I know more than most of my doctors about migraines. One nurse straight up just thought I was having a stroke and wouldn't believe that it was a migraine.

[rachelrachel]

I had this today. One of the best eye clinics around diagnosed me by phone and said I didn’t need to come in, that I was fine.

[MR-ikid]

After watching this video and reading these comments I realized I am not alone! I found out after 15 years that it’s called migraine aura. It’s a thing and I am not crazy!! Sometimes you gotta search the right words to get the specific information you need. Thank you so much for sharing this video. Very eye opening!

The moment I get migraine aura, I get a warning of severe headache coming which will lasts for a week or two and then sensitivity to light for a month.

I recently called in sick last minute from job and there’s no one to cover. They were pissed as it was only migraine and how come it happened last minute? Little did they know that it’s not just migraine. Blurry vision, nausea, dizziness, severe headache. People can’t understand how hard it is for us. You can’t study for your exams, you can’t go to work. Your life stops, and then some people say it’s just a migraine!

[lily-n-grey]

For months I had an ocular migraine and then I had a lacunar stroke. Your vision is no joke, it can lead you to other stuff going on in your body. Thank you Dr Chua for your info 🥰

[LTWILTON]

It's that 3rd cup of coffee every time! There's never any pain (& I don't get headaches anyway, lucky me) and the duration is about 20 minutes. One thing I would add is to IMMEDIATELY STOP DRIVING. If I avoid that 3rd cup, then I avoid the ocular migraine ... I mess up with the caffeine maybe every 3 years or so, but knowing I'll be okay in few minutes is very calming. Thank you for this video!

[TangentOmega]

These can be very hard to describe accurately. I was misdiagnosed with ocular migraines because of intermittent blurry vision. Turns out it's Multiple Sclerosis. Because of varied symptoms, each specialist diagnosed me with a condition in their specialty, without putting them all together until i saw a neurologist.

[juliejohnson]

I use a technique that I heard from my husband for cluster headache. When having the aura, I hold an ice cube between my thumb and fore and middle finger in the eye I'm having the aura. Hold for about 5 minutes. 9/10 times it takes the headache away. Hope it helps those who need this. It helps me. Peace ❤

[angni]

Love this. Such clear explanation of both types of migraines

[KBradAdams]

Great Video Doctor. I have aura's in both eyes always. Started late 20's, has gotten worse over the years. Sleep is my number 1 cause. I have tried to eliminate certain foods over the years with no help there. Lately I have been chewing 1 aspirin and 1 Advil or Tylenol and that seems to stop the headache but they usually last 3 hours and I get all the symptoms, then numbness and aphasia but it always passes. Sometimes I get a increase is hearing or smelling before the aura's start but not always. Usually blind spots in my vision then the zig zags. I hope everyone watching this video figures it out or can at least improve their symptoms.