RETINAL MIGRAINE: WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW IT DIFFERS

Retinal migraine is a rare type of migraine that causes short episodes of visual loss or dimming in just one eye, usually alongside a headache. While it’s sometimes confused with aura, this condition affects the eye itself not the visual cortex and may involve spasms in the central retinal artery.

Some people experience only brief, reversible symptoms. Others might notice recurring events or even permanent changes to their vision, although that’s less common.

HOW IT SHOWS UP

Most episodes are short and follow a clear pattern:
Sudden vision loss, blurring, or dark spots in one eye only
Usually lasts less than an hour
Often followed by headache on the same side
Unlike aura, which involves both eyes and comes from the brain’s visual processing area, retinal migraine is thought to involve the eye’s blood vessels. A few cases have shown signs of artery narrowing or poor blood flow during attacks.

WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?

Because only one eye is affected, doctors need to rule out other possible causes, including:

Retinal artery or vein blockages
Optic nerve inflammation
Stroke or embolic events
Tumors near the optic pathway

Eye exams, imaging, and a full health history help rule these out.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

There’s no single treatment that works for everyone. For people with frequent or severe episodes, some options may include:

Calcium channel blockers (to help prevent vessel spasm)
Migraine preventives
Careful monitoring of eye health

Most cases resolve on their own, but if vision loss is recurring, it's worth discussing migraine prevention strategies.

CLINICAL INSIGHT

Some patients with a history of migraines experience rare episodes of one-eye vision loss without any other neurological symptoms. A few have even developed lasting changes in the visual field — though this is the exception, not the rule.

Retinal migraine remains a diagnosis of exclusion. When other causes are ruled out and the pattern fits, treatment can be tailored accordingly.