Retinal migraines are a type of migraine that affect the eyes. They can cause temporary vision loss in 1 eye and other eye symptoms.

Retinal migraines are less common than other types of migraine.

Retinal migraines usually affect 1 eye.

They often come on suddenly and symptoms include:

• vision loss – this usually lasts around 10 to 20 minutes but can sometimes last up to 1 hour
• a blind spot in your vision
• a headache – you may get this at the same time as the eye symptoms or shortly afterwards
• other eye symptoms, such as blurred vision and seeing flashing lights, zigzag patterns or coloured spots or lines
• feeling sick or being sick

Sometimes you can get the eye symptoms without having a headache.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

See a GP if:

Call 999 if:

Treatment for retinal migraines is not usually needed if you do not have them very often.

If you have them frequently, a GP may suggest:

• trying to avoid things that cause your migraines, such as cutting down on caffeine or alcohol
• painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• medicines to stop you feeling sick or being sick
• medicines to help prevent migraines, such as topiramate or amitriptyline
• a few weeks of acupuncture

If these treatments do not help control your migraines, you may be referred to a specialist called a neurologist for more tests and treatment.

Retinal migraines are thought to happen when the blood vessels in your eye suddenly narrow, restricting the blood flow.

Things that can cause them include:

• stress
• caffeine and alcohol
• dehydration
• smoking
• high blood pressure
• bending over
• low blood sugar
• some types of hormonal contraception

Keeping a record of when you get migraines in a diary can help you work out what might be causing them.

There are things you can do if you get retinal migraines. A GP may suggest trying them before recommending other treatments.