When LASIK patients in Los Angeles ask, “can LASIK cure my migraines?” The short and sweet answer is, no. Unfortunately, LASIK is not a cure for migraines. However, if you think long and hard about it, neither can a bandage heal a wound. In order for our bodies to heal, we can only improve the settings and leave a huge amount of detailed work to biochemistry. Therefore, if you were to ask the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles whether LASIK can help cure migraines, the answer is a slightly more complicated answer rather than a simple “no.”
Ocular And Visual Migraines: What Are The Prevention And Treatment Options
When an ocular migraine happens, it can be very shocking since the symptoms usually cause temporary blindness. Although ocular migraines are rare when a migraine does happen it can have a very debilitating effect. If you have a medical history of migraines or you are experiencing this condition for the first time, it is best to talk to your LASIK eye doctor in Los Angeles to find suitable treatment options for you.
What Are Ocular Migraines?
An ocular migraine refers to a wide range of migraine subtypes that cause visual disturbances. Other forms of migraines are distinguished by severe headaches and other symptoms. However, ocular migraines are unique because temporary vision issues can happen without pain or headache.
What Are The Symptoms Of Ocular Migraines?
The LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles inform us that the symptoms of ocular migraines are different from person to person, but an individual can have varying symptoms for each migraine. The most common symptoms that ocular migraines bring are the following:
- Temporary vision loss
- Temporary blindness (usually in one eye)
- Blindspot (usually in one eye, affecting central vision)
- Headache
The word “migraine” is usually linked with a very bad headache. Although a headache is part of the experience of having an ocular migraine, there are many instances when patients experience vision problems without the pain of a headache.
The Difference Between Visual Migraines And Ocular Migraines
Sometimes patients at LASIK Los Angeles clinics mistakenly use the words “visual migraines and “ocular migraine” interchangeably. Although the reality is they are both two separate conditions. Another word that is usually used for a migraine that causes visual disturbances is an “optical migraine.”
And though some of the symptoms are similar, there are a couple of unique symptoms that happen with a visual migraine, which is sometimes known as an aural migraine:
- Wavy ring of light
- Zig-zagging light
- Flickering blind spot
- Visual migraine aura
- A blind spot that moves in the field of vision
In the beginning, an ocular migraine starts off as something small. However, over time the spot becomes larger and causes more disruptions to a person’s ability to see.
In some instances, ocular migraine symptoms have a duration of 30 minutes or less. Nevertheless, there are times when symptoms stick around for an hour before a person’s vision returns completely.
Another massive difference between ocular migraines and visual migraines is how the eyes are affected. If you are experiencing an ocular migraine, then it usually affects only one eye. On the flip side, both eyes are usually affected when a person has a visual migraine.
What Causes Them?
For the most part, the cause of regular migraines and ocular migraines are very much alike. Research has confirmed that changes happen in the blood flow in the eye when the migraine is occurring. These alterations may be the cause of a reduction in blood flow or a blood vessel spasm, which affects the retina that is in the back of the eye.
Although these changes in blood flow have been recognized through imaging studies, researchers are still hesitant about the exact cause of the reaction. It shows that an outside trigger activates an area within the brain that releases inflammatory substances. This inflammatory response is what affects the nerves and blood vessels in the brain as well as the head.
Apart from your overall blood flow, genetics makes a huge difference in a person’s risk of being susceptible to them. Studies have shown that those who suffer from ocular migraines usually have a close relative who also experiences migraine headaches.
Furthermore, it is not unusual for a trigger to bring about each episode. These triggers are different from person to person. Therefore, it is recommended to track your migraine patterns to see if you can spot environmental factors that happen before the migraine began.
The most common triggers include stress, glaring lights, flickering lights, lack of sleep, strong odors (cigarette smoke or strong perfume), or consuming specific ingredients (MSG, caffeine, chocolate, red wine, aged cheese, or artificial sweeteners).
What Can LASIK Do For Migraines?
Since blood flow and visual strain are the most common factor for migraines, it makes sense to relieve visual strain to cure migraines. However, if migraines are not at all related to visual strain, then LASIK may not have any effect. So, although LASIK cannot cure migraines, it can certainly cure eye strain, and that helps a person who suffers from consistent migraines to give them a bit of relief.
When Should You See Your Eye Doctor?
Whenever you experience vision loss, it is highly advisable to consult with an eye doctor. Although the symptoms of an ocular migraine are temporary, you should find some medical help to look out for signs of other eye conditions that could lead to permanent vision loss.
It is a good idea to quickly have an eye exam to find any signs of a more serious condition. As a matter of fact, the symptoms of an ocular migraine are very similar to those of retinal detachment. If you are experiencing retinal detachment rather than an ocular migraine, immediate treatment is required to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
Contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly skilled and experienced. In the office, we also have Dr. Moosa, a well-esteemed LASIK surgeon that has a Harvard education and a wealth of experience working with different prescription levels. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/
