Seeing flashes of light? Could be a migraine

May 25, 2010
A woman is covering her face with her hands.

Spots of light or flashing images are some of the most common symptoms our patients tell us about. While there are several different causes for these, one of the most common is known as “ocular migraine”.

Thousands of Canadians experience migraine headaches. The headaches can range from barely noticeable to severe, and may also cause nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity. About one third of those who get migraines will have an “aura”, a change in vision, taste, or smell that lasts 20-40 minutes and generally happens just before the actual headache. A sensation of moving lights that block out one side of vision that is related to migraine is called an “ocular migraine”. While the aura does not actually damage your eyesight, it can cause temporary peripheral vision loss, therefore it is inadvisable to drive while it is occurring.

While there is no treatment for the aura, if your migraines are severe there are many treatment options available. Remember, any unusual changes in your vision should be evaluated by your optometrist to rule out any sight threatening conditions.

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