Ocular migraine might refer to retinal migraine or migraine with aura. While retinal migraine doesn’t occur in stages, migraine with aura may occur in up to four stages.

Ocular migraine is migraine with visual disturbances. There are two types of ocular migraine: retinal migraine and migraine with aura.

Typical migraine episodes, including those with aura, develop in up to four stages. Retinal migraine doesn’t appear in stages.

The visual changes that come with ocular migraine can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, and they can vary based on the type of migraine you have. Usually, a severe migraine follows the visual disturbances.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can expect symptoms to progress during an ocular migraine episode and when you might need to seek medical help.

Retinal migraine episodes typically cause very brief instances of sight loss or blurry vision.

Retinal migraine affects one eye only and may cause:

  • blurry vision
  • temporary peripheral vision loss
  • colored spots
  • zig-zag lines
  • twinkling lights

A retinal migraine may be accompanied by visual symptoms or may follow within 60 minutesTrusted Source.

Migraine with aura may progress through up to four stages. However, not everyone experiences all four stages all the time. The stages of migraine with aura areTrusted Source:

  1. Prodrome: These include food cravings, changes in your mood, increased urination, or fluid retention, which can all develop up to 24 hoursTrusted Source before a migraine attack.
  2. Aura: Visual disturbances typically occur during this stage. Other possible symptoms include muscle weakness and temporary loss of speech.
  3. Headache: While not present in all migraine attacks, most people experience a severe headache. Migraine can last for hours or days, and people may also experience other symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light.
  4. Postdrome: This final stage consists of exhaustion and sometimes confusion. It can last for up to 2 days.

Unlike retinal migraine, migraine with aura affects both eyes. You might see:

  • flashing lights
  • stars
  • patterns
  • zig-zag lines
  • temporary blind spots

A migraine aura typicallyTrusted Source starts in the center of your vision before expanding to take up a quarter or half of your visual field. When symptoms begin to resolve, you’ll regain your central vision first.

However, newer research suggests that many people may experience a visual aura that begins in their peripheral vision.

A retinal migraine episode typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes. It rarely lasts more than an hourTrusted Source.

Typically, visual changes begin before the onset of a migraine, though these can sometimes occur together. You may experience temporary vision changes and a painful headache during this time.

A migraine episode with aura can last between 4 and 72 hoursTrusted Source. However, the aura phase of migraine, when visual symptoms occur, typically lasts no more than 60 minutes.

Aura usually doesn’t continue into the headache phase, but it can in some cases.

Before symptoms of an ocular migraine even begin, you might have experienced a triggering event. As many as three-quartersTrusted Source of people with migraine note that something triggers their migraine episodes. This can be a particular activity or something in their diet or environment.

How long it takes a migraine episode to begin after experiencing a migraine trigger can depend on the person and the specific trigger.

Ocular migraine triggers are similar to those of other migraine types. While triggers are highly individual, they can include things like:

An ocular migraine episode is a temporary occurrence and typically isn’t a medical emergency. If you suspect either a retinal migraine or migraine with aura, consider talking with a doctor about your symptoms. They can help accurately diagnose your condition and offer treatment.

Treatment options for ocular migraine may include trigger avoidance, over-the-counter pain relievers to treat head pain, and prescription medications.

Any visual disturbances that accompany confusion or sudden weakness may warrant emergency medical help. Such symptoms could signify a more serious medical condition.

What’s the difference between an ocular migraine and migraine with aura?

People previously used the term “ocular migraine” to describe migraine episodes with visual disturbances. While some people use it interchangeably with the term retinal migraine, ocular migraine is a term that includes retinal migraine and migraine with aura.

Retinal migraine causes symptoms in one eye, sometimes including temporary vision loss. While migraine with aura also causes visual disturbances, it affects both eyes at the same time.

How long is too long for an ocular migraine?

While an ocular migraine may last for just a few minutes, it can sometimes last longer but shouldn’t last longer than 60 minutes.

What causes ocular migraine?

The cause of ocular migraine depends on the subtype. Retinal migraine is due to changes that affect the blood vessels that serve the eyes. Migraine with aura results from electrical activity changes in the brain.

People sometimes use the term ocular migraine to describe migraine types that cause visual disturbances. Depending on the underlying cause, the preferred medical terms are retinal migraine or migraine with aura. The key difference is that a retinal migraine affects one eye, while migraine with aura affects both eyes.

Both types of ocular migraine can cause temporary changes in vision that can last up to an hour. Retinal migraine doesn’t necessarily have stages, but can be accompanied by or follow visual symptoms. Migraine with aura is more likely to progress through four stages, with visual symptoms occurring before the headache phase.

If you suspect you have ocular migraine, consider talking with a doctor to obtain a diagnosis and possible treatment plan to help prevent future episodes.