Migraines

Eye problems can trigger migraines, causing uncomfortable and bothersome symptoms that disrupt your quality of life. At Stratus Eye in Suwanee, Georgia, board-certified ophthalmologist Jeffrey Tran, MD, performs comprehensive migraine screenings to uncover the underlying cause of debilitating headaches. Dr. Tran provides personalized education to help you manage your migraine symptoms and avoid flare-ups. Call the ophthalmology clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about eye migraines.

What are migraines?

A migraine is a debilitating neurological disease that frequently causes one-sided headaches. Beyond headaches, migraines can be a full-body experience for some, even causing temporary partial blindness. 

Understanding your migraine triggers is one of the simplest steps you can take to minimize flare-ups. Many eye problems can lead to strain that triggers migraine symptoms. At Stratus Eye, Dr. Tran performs comprehensive testing to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of your migraines.

What eye problems can cause migraines?

Many eye disorders can trigger migraines, including:

Retinal migraine

A retinal migraine, or ocular migraine, affects the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. This disorder can cause severe headaches and partial vision loss in one eye.

Eye strain

Eye strain causes your eyes to become fatigued or tired. Your eyes may feel dry, itchy, or sore. Migraines can also accompany eye strain, particularly if you stare at a computer screen or digital device for too long.

Monocular vision

Monocular vision means you rely on one eye for most of your eyesight. You may only be able to see clearly out of a single eye, which can cause strain, discomfort, and headaches.

Myopia

Migraines are especially common in individuals with myopia, or nearsightedness. This refractive disorder causes objects to appear clearly up-close but not at a distance, which can strain the eyes.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, allows you to see objects clearly from a distance but not up-close. Reading, staring at a computer screen, or even speaking with others can cause eye strain and migraines.

What are the signs of migraines?

Migraines typically develop in phases, though not everybody experiences the same symptoms. 

A migraine attack typically causes the following symptoms: 

• One-sided throbbing headache
• Brief attacks of blindness (retinal migraine)
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and vomiting

At the end of a migraine, most individuals feel tired, weak, and drained of energy. 

What are the treatments for migraines?

At Stratus Eye, Dr. Tran is an eye migraine expert who can develop a personalized management plan that revolves around patient education and trigger avoidance. He performs comprehensive migraine screenings to identify the underlying cause of your headaches. 

Once he diagnoses your condition, he can help you prevent migraine attacks through:

• Eye strain reduction
• Eye relaxation techniques
• Stress management
• Headache diaries
• Healthy sleep habits

Call Stratus Eye today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about migraines.