A retinal migraine is basically a migraine whose centre of pain is aimed directly to the eyes. This basically feels like a pulsating pain in the retinal, which is the disk-shaped covering on the front of the eye which allows our eyes to focus. This particular migraine can be both unilateral as well as bilateral, meaning that it can affect only one eye or both eyes. Furthermore, this migraine type can occur without the standard aura which is usually associated with a migraine. This aura includes things that precede a migraine such as a smell or blinding light.
The retinal migraine is mostly noted as feeling as if someone is sticking needles in the centre of the eye and jabbing over and over again. A retinal migraine can last for only a few seconds or even as long as a couple of days.
Just like the standard migraine, the retinal migraines too can range from almost no pain to possible life threatening pain. In the latter, the sufferer of the migraine will insist as though it feels like someone is repeatedly trying to rip the eye out of the socket and the pain can actually run from the retina all the way back to the stem of the eye.
Any way that you look at it, the retinal migraine just like a standard migraine is something that nobody wants to suffer. Furthermore, most of those who suffer from retinal migraines suffer from them chronically. This means that they have them all the time albeit on a daily basis or even a weekly basis which dictates that the retinal migraine, similar to the standard, is caused by an underlying condition.
Just like any migraine, some medications may work once to stop the pain but the next time it may make them worse Furthermore all retinal migraines encompass a sensitivity to light, not just any particular light, but light in general. Those suffering from retinal migraines, while engaged in an episode, prefer complete darkness. That is how bad the sensitivity to light can be if a person would prefer complete darkness.
Retinal migraines can also accompany a standard migraine which means it is possible to suffer from two different forms of migraine at the same time. Many migraine sufferers also note that the retinal migraine is a common occurrence when suffering a standard migraine, but in reality, the differences between the standard migraine and its effects on the eyes as compared to that of the retinal migraine differ.
It is important that if you think you may be suffering from retinal migraines, or any migraine for that matter, that you consult a physician who can properly diagnose whether it is truly a migraine or a complicated form of headache.
