Ocular Migraines and Stress: What’s the Link and How to Fix It Naturally
Ocular migraines can be scary, especially if they happen when you’re stressed. You might see flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or briefly lose vision in one eye. But can stress cause these migraines? ANF Therapy® is an advanced therapy that aims to restore the normal healing process of your body and relieve ocular migraine.
This article explains the connection between stress and ocular migraines, identifies key symptoms to watch for, explores the underlying causes of stress-related issues, and provides guidance on managing them.
What is an ocular migraine?
An ocular migraine is a type of migraine that mainly affects your vision in one eye. It can cause strange visual effects lasting from a few minutes to an hour. Sometimes, it might come with a headache, but not always. This differs from regular migraines with aura, which usually affect both eyes.
Ocular migraines typically resolve on their own and don’t cause permanent damage. However, they can still be uncomfortable and cause you worry. Common symptoms of an ocular migraine include:
- Flashing or shimmering lights
- Blind spots or dark patches in your vision
- Temporary loss of vision in one eye
What is the physiological link between stress and ocular migraines?
Stress affects the body in many ways, but the impact is often neurological when it comes to ocular migraines. Ocular migraines start in the brain’s visual processing centre (the occipital cortex), not in the eyes. When you’re under stress, your body initiates changes that may disturb how this area functions.
The Stress Response and Brain Changes
When you feel stressed, your body reacts through the “fight or flight” response. This causes the release of two major stress hormones:
Adrenaline raises your heart rate and blood pressure, preparing the body to react quickly. However, it can also constrict blood vessels, including those in the brain, which can lead to visual disturbances.
Cortisol helps manage stress over time, but it can disrupt normal brain function when elevated for an extended period. Prolonged high cortisol levels may make your brain more “excitable,” increasing the chance of triggering a migraine episode.
Blood Flow Disruption in the Visual Cortex
Ocular migraines often happen because blood flow to your occipital cortex temporarily reduces. The narrowing of your blood vessels can cause this. The occipital cortex of your brain interprets what your eyes see. If this area receives less oxygen or nutrients due to reduced blood flow, you might experience the symptoms of ocular migraines.
Cortical Spreading Depression
One theory behind visual symptoms in migraines is called cortical spreading depression. It’s a slow wave of overactive brain signals followed by a brief shutdown in nerve activity. This wave travels through the part of the brain that controls vision, causing symptoms such as flashing lights or blind spots. Stress makes the brain more sensitive, making this wave more likely to occur. That means even minor stressors bring on an ocular migraine when you’re under stress.
What are common stress-related triggers for ocular migraines?
Several stress-related triggers make ocular migraines more likely to happen, such as:
- Emotional problems like arguments, sadness, or anxiety can trigger ocular migraines.
- Pressure from work deadlines or school exams often increases tension and can bring on ocular migraine symptoms.
- Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality stops the brain from resting properly and raises the risk of ocular migraines.
- Skipping meals or eating irregularly can lower blood sugar levels and reduce hydration, which can impact brain function and potentially lead to ocular migraines.
- Spending too much time looking at screens, especially with poor posture and bad lighting.
- Stress often leads to muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and head, which reduces blood flow.
In women, ongoing stress can change hormone levels, especially estrogen. As a result, the visual parts of the brain are more sensitive to ocular migraine triggers.
Can chronic stress lead to more frequent ocular migraines?
Long-term stress can make ocular migraines happen more often and feel worse. When stress persists for an extended period, it activates the body’s “fight or flight” response. This means that stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, stay high for too long. Having these hormones at high levels all the time can upset how the brain and blood vessels work, which can lead to more migraines.
What ocular migraine symptoms could be red flags?
Some serious health problems can cause visual symptoms similar to stress-triggered ocular migraines. Examples include:
- Retinal detachment causes sudden changes in vision, such as a shadow or curtain blocking part of your sight. It is similar to the temporary vision loss or blind spots seen in ocular migraines.
- A transient ischemic attack leads to sudden, temporary vision loss in one eye, which can resemble the brief visual disturbances of an ocular migraine.
- Glaucoma can cause sudden changes in vision or vision loss, which may feel like flickering lights or blurred vision, similar to symptoms experienced during ocular migraines.
- A stroke can result in sudden vision loss or make parts of your visual field disappear. It is similar to the visual field cuts or blind spots that may occur with ocular migraines, but is typically accompanied by additional neurological symptoms.
- Central retinal artery occlusion causes sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye, which may initially be mistaken for an ocular migraine. Unlike migraines, the vision does not return to normal. This is an emergency caused by a blocked artery in the retina.
- A retinal infarction happens when part of the retina does not get enough blood. This can cause areas of vision loss similar to migraine auras. However, the damage can be permanent if not treated quickly.
- A vitreous haemorrhage occurs when bleeding occurs into the clear gel inside the eye. It may cause floaters, shadows, or flashes that mimic symptoms of ocular migraines. The underlying retinal damage needs immediate attention.
How to manage ocular migraine with ANF Therapy®?
ANF Therapy® is a chemical-free, non-invasive treatment approach based on Einstein’s concept of frequency medicine. This therapy uses ANF Devices, which are made of carbonised metal. ANF Therapy® aims to support the body’s healing mechanisms and restore balance in the neurological system, which helps reduce pain and inflammation. It aims not only to address symptoms but also to target the root cause.
According to a real-world study involving 1,054 patients across 45 countries, pain levels decreased significantly, from 7.6 to 3.1 out of 10, when treated with ANF Therapy® . Approximately 92% of patients were satisfied with the results.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy® :
ANF Therapy® is a frequency-based advanced therapy. If you are experiencing ocular migraine symptoms, consult an ANF Practitioner or find an ANF Therapist at www.anftherapy.com/find-clinic to discuss how ANF Therapy® can help you. This drug-free approach aims to address pain and inflammation at its root cause to provide lasting results.
If you’re a healthcare practitioner and want to enhance your clinical skills with frequency medicine, learn more about the ANF Clinical education program by visiting www.anfacademy.com.
