Urgent first: one eye, or something new
Vision loss in one eye, even if it clears within minutes, needs an urgent same-day assessment. It can come from a blocked blood vessel to the eye, which is a warning sign of stroke. Call 911 if visual changes come with weakness, numbness, a drooping face, trouble speaking or a sudden severe headache. Get checked promptly, too, for a first-ever aura, an aura that lasts much longer than usual, or a change in your usual pattern, especially later in life.
To tell which eye is involved, cover each eye in turn during an episode. A migraine aura shows in both eyes, because it comes from the brain.
What ocular migraine is
"Ocular migraine" is used for two different things. Most often it means migraine with visual aura: a flickering spot, a shimmering zigzag line or a growing blind patch that drifts across the field of both eyes, usually over several minutes, sometimes followed by a headache and sometimes not. Less often it means retinal migraine, brief dimming in one eye, which is diagnosed once other causes have been ruled out.
Common triggers include poor sleep, skipped meals, stress and the let-down after it, bright or flickering light, hormonal shifts and dehydration. Your physician or neurologist confirms the diagnosis and may suggest medication. See also headaches.
How we work with it
Between episodes we work on how often they come and what sets them off. Body acupuncture along the Liver and Gallbladder channels and distal Master Tung's points are often the core, with scalp acupuncture over the visual areas and electro-acupuncture when appropriate. Tight neck muscles are a frequent part of the picture, so needling of the neck and upper back muscles and cupping across the shoulders may be added. A formula follows the pattern, and herbs are checked against any migraine medication.
Keep a simple diary of episodes, sleep, meals and, if relevant, your cycle. We review it with you at each visit.
Questions people ask
Is an ocular migraine dangerous?
A typical migraine aura that your physician has diagnosed is usually not dangerous. Vision loss in one eye, a first-ever aura, an aura with weakness or trouble speaking, or a change in your usual pattern needs urgent medical assessment first.
How do I tell if it is one eye or both?
During an episode, cover each eye in turn. If the shimmer is there with either eye covered, it is coming from the brain, as in migraine aura. If it is in one eye, get checked urgently the same day.
Can acupuncture reduce how often I get them?
Acupuncture has been studied for reducing migraine frequency, and research is ongoing. We cannot promise fewer episodes, but we track them with you in a simple diary and adjust the plan from what it shows.
Will I need to stop my migraine medication?
No. Keep taking what your physician prescribed. Any herbs are checked against it first.
This is general wellness information, not medical advice.
