Without any warning, what looks like jagged flashes of lightning bolts that shimmer around an object can usually interfere with or obscure one's field of vision. When this happens, you might think that you are seeing things or getting insane. This seemingly hallucinatory episode usually lasts for 15-20 minutes and may or may not be followed by a headache.

While a migraine is an extremely painful headache caused by a dilation and constriction of the arteries in the head, a visual migraine, on the other hand, is a condition believed to be of the same cause as a migraine, but instead of the spasm affecting the surface of the brain, it affects the ocular blood supply. This results in vasospasm, a spasm of arteries behind the eye, which shuts off blood flow to the optic nerve.

Unlike a blacking out of vision or total blindness, a visual migraine is like a temporary loss of vision associated with bright flashing lights and jagged geometric lines. A visual hallucination is actually a matter of erception that does not involve any external stimuli or sensory data. Thus, the person's frequent jagged geometric auras qualify as visual hallucination. However, it is important to understand that having visual hallucinations in connection with a visual migraine doesn't mean the person is becoming insane, which is a common misinterpretation.

Visual disturbance usually starts in the peripheral vision,s consisting of an almost circular, jagged, shimmering spot which enlarges and moves to the center area, obscuring vision. The light is described to be of a pale pastel shade. After 20 minutes, this episode disappears and a mild headache may or may not occur. Many people experiencing this condition often complain of tiredness and mood changes.

While there is no known cause of migraines, it is believe that stress can trigger them. The “weekend” headache usually follows the stress relief of a frenetic week during which the blood vessels in the head relax and constric
t. Eye-related headaches occur after extended periods of reading, watching television, computer work, or anything that requires intense concentration. A tendency for the eyes to cross or drift outward may also bring on headaches, as well as eyestrain related to wearing of eyeglasses. However, symptoms from headaches can be extremely variable and may be dependent on the underlying problem. It is important to remember that this conditon is a nuerological problem, not an eye problem.

Many things can trigger a migraine attack, such as:
  • alcohol (eg. red wine)
  • caffeine (coffee, chocolate)
  • monosodium glutamate ( MSG usually found in asian foods)
  • nitrates (processed foods, hotdogs)
  • environmental factors (weather, altitude, time zone changes)
  • exposure to light (brightness, glare)
  • hormonal changes (in women)
  • hunger
  • lack of sleep
  • anxiety
  • stress
  • medications (over-the-counter and prescription)s
  • perfumes
  • more migraine headache triggers
Usually, this condition resolves even without treatment and many people never have another episode. For those who continue to experience this condition, an examination of the eye is important to rule out any other causes for these symptoms. There are several over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can provide migraine remedies. But treatment should begin upon consultation with a family physician or neurologist for proper diagnosis of your condition.

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products.

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