Ocular Migraine

Overview:

There are two 'classes' of headaches - those that result from overtiredness, especially in conjunction with computer eye syndrome - and migraines.

Migraines are thought to be caused by the dilation and constriction of arteries in the head. These headaches can be extremely painful. The pain is often limited to one side of the head, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

An Ocular Migraine is a common problem that is a variation of a migraine. It is believed to be caused by the same mechanism as classical migraine; vascular spasm. Instead of the spasm affecting the surface of the brain, these episodes affect the ocular blood supply or the blood supply to the vision center in the brain.

These episodes typically begin with a visual disturbance that begins in the peripheral vision, and often consists of a semi-circular, jagged, shimmering light, which enlarges and becomes more central. This disturbance usually obscures the vision within the jagged area. The light is often described a pale pastel in color.

ITypically, the visual disturbance lasts 15 – 20 minutes and then disappears. A mild headache may or may not follow the disturbance. Many ocular migraine sufferers complain only of fatigue after the visual disturbance.

Note: You'll be interested to read one man's experiences in successfully dealing with eye pain.

Symptoms:

Causes:

Conventional Treatment:

Complementary Treatment:
Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional Products

On a tight budget? Here's our single most important recommendation: Doctor's Choice: ReVision Formula - based on a classic Chinese medicine Liver tonic formulation for overall eye health. The Liver (meridian) in Chinese medicine also helps strengthen overall circulation and movement of energy throughout the body.

Essential: ReVision Formula - based on a classic Chinese medicine Liver tonic formulation for overall eye health. The Liver (meridian) in Chinese medicine also helps strengthen overall circulation and movement of energy throughout the body.

Essential: Milk Thistle Liquid Extract 2oz - Milk Thistle Liquid Extract 2oz (MILK7)

Helpful: Serraflazyme (Serrapeptase) - Serraflazyme 100 tabs

Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:

• Vision Diet recommended in Natural Eye Care, co-authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac., helps maintain a healthy lens that easily drains away metabolic wastes and toxins from eye tissues.
• Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas, avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods)and man made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil, and especially margarines).
• Eliminate deep fat fried foods, monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol appear to increase the risk of AMD.
• Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).
• Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
• Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin like Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula
• Pay attention to what you eat keep a log of foods that are suspect: cheeses, dairy, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and possible allergens.
• Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
• Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
• Do eye exercises if you do a lot of close-up work, such as using the computer for long periods of time. Try a couple of minutes of eye relaxing exercises for each hour of near work.
• Managing your emotional health is very important in maintaining physical health. Fear (fear of failure, responsibility, of being alone, of death, etc.) is at the root of many of life’s problems, and is a major factor in many diseases. Take up the practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in the woods or prayer on a daily basis.

Finally, acupuncture is worth considering.