Suddenly, there appears to be fractured or shattered glass in front of your eyes, zigzagging lines, blurring or blank spots, flashes of light or dimming in your vision. It’s understandable if you panic, but there’s a good chance there’s nothing to worry about. You’re probably suffering with an ocular migraine. It’s more common in women who are in the throes of perimenopause or have gone through menopause – and the first time it happens, it can be pretty frightening.
Try to relax. An ocular migraine is usually a painless, temporary visual disturbance that resolves by itself after about 20 to 30 minutes, even sooner. Ocular migraines are believed to have the same causes as migraine headaches. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), migraines probably have a genetic basis, and some studies say 70 percent of people who suffer from the disorder have a family history of migraine headaches.
Imaging studies reveal that changes in blood flow to the brain occur during ocular migraines. It’s believed to be triggered by activation of a mechanism deep in the brain, which releases inflammatory substances around the nerves and blood vessels of the head and brain. But why it happens and what brings about the spontaneous relief of an ocular migraine is still a mystery.
