Eye symptoms

The sudden onset of pain and blindness can be scary and worrying. A retinal migraine is a rare condition that affects the eyes. They involve repeated bouts of short-lasting diminished vision or blindness. They can be a cause for concern and impact your daily life. So if you have concerns or are just curious, read on to learn more about retinal migraines, what causes them, and how to treat them. What Are Retinal Migraines? Retinal migraines, also known as visual or ocular migraines, are a type of migraine that affect your eyes. They can cause temporary vision loss in one eye and might be accompanied by other eye symptoms such as blurry vision, sparkling lights, and blind spots alongside headaches or nausea. They are thought to occur when the blood vessels in your eye suddenly narrow, restricting the blood flow. Potential causes and triggers can include: stress caffeine and alcohol dehydration smoking high blood pressure bending over low blood sugar some types of hormonal contraception Afterwards, the blood vessels relax, blood flow resumes, and sight returns. Usually there are no abnormalities within the eye and permanent damage to the eye is rare. If you’re unsure of the specific cause of your retinal migraines, try keeping a record of when you get migraines in a diary to help you work out what might be causing them. Common Symptoms of Retinal Migraines Retinal migraines usually only affect one eye at a time. They usually come on suddenly and without warning and are sometimes, but not always accompanied by a headache. Common 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. Blurry vision. Visual disturbances or aura such as 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. Diagnosing Retinal Migraines To diagnose you with retinal migraines, the examining clinician will ask you about your symptoms, family history, and examine your eyes. This is why keeping a note of your migraines and symptoms will be useful. Your clinician will try to rule out other conditions that could cause similar problems, such as: Amaurosis fugax (transient darkening) – temporary blindness due to a lack of blood flow to the eye. It can happen because of a blockage in an artery that leads to the eye. Spasms in the artery that brings blood to the retina Giant cell arteritis – a problem that causes inflammation in blood vessels. It can lead to vision problems and blindness. Other blood vessel problems related to autoimmune diseases Substance use disorder or overusing illicit drugs Conditions that keep your blood from clotting normally, like sickle cell disease and polycythemia Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) At Leightons, we offer an Optomap Eye Examination (also part of our Ultimate Eye Examinations) to patients of all ages. This enhanced examination allows us to see more than ever before with 2D and 3D imaging (OCT) of the inside of your eye which can help identify and diagnose eye conditions and rule out conditions with similar symptoms as retinal migraines. Treatment Options Treatment for retinal migraines is not usually needed if you do not have them very often but if you do get them frequently, your doctor might suggest some treatments to help. Lifestyle changes If you have noticed that a particular food or activity makes your symptoms worse, you may need to consider reducing your exposure to help ease your migraines. Making lifestyle changes such as cutting down on the amount of caffeine or alcohol you consume might be recommended to help reduce your retinal migraines. Medications You may be offered some medication to deal with the symptoms of your migraines such as painkillers (typically paracetamol and ibuprofen), anti-sickness medications if that is an issue for you, or medications that help to prevent migraines such as topiramate or amitriptyline. Alternative therapies Some individuals find alternative therapies such as acupuncture or dietary supplements to be beneficial in managing their symptoms. When to Seek Medical Attention If you have already been diagnosed with retinal migraines and you’ve noticed that they’re getting worse, more frequent, or there has been a change in your usual symptoms, speak to your GP. Additionally, if you have a headache that comes on suddenly and is extremely painful, you suddenly have problems speaking or remembering things, you have sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision, seek medical help immediately. Book an eye test today For your peace of mind, whether you experience retinal migraines or not, regarding your eye health, book an eye test with Leightons. Conclusion Retinal migraines can be frustrating and painful. If you have experienced any of the symptoms associated with these kinds of migraines or are concerned that you have eye migraines, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A diagnosis from a medical professional can help you manage your symptoms and regain your quality of life. Book an eye test

What is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye syndrome, also known as dry eye disease, is a relatively common condition that happens when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or produce tears that are of a poor quality. When this happens, it means your corneas aren’t lubricated properly and can feel itchy, gritty, or uncomfortable. Even if your eyes are watery, you can still experience dry eye syndrome. How do tears work? Tears are produced by several glands around the eye, the majority produced by a gland called the lacrimal gland. But they’re not just produced when you cry. They’re produced all the time and consist of 3 different layers. When you blink, your eyelid distributes the tears across your eye, keeping it moisturised and hydrated. The 3 layers are: Mucin layer – which lines the surface of your eye (the cornea) and makes the tears stick. Aqueous (water) layer – this moisturises and protects the eye. Lipid (oily) layer – sits on the outer surface of the tear film and prevents the tears from evaporating or spilling out of the eye. If there’s a breakdown in the production of any of those layers, it can leave an imbalance in the tear film which leaves you with dry eyes. For example, if the lipid layer isn’t produced properly, there isn’t enough to keep the aqueous layer in place meaning it evaporates too quickly. And, if there is a reduced amount of aqueous layer, there’s not enough moisture to keep your eyes hydrated and not enough tears are being produced. Symptoms Dry eye syndrome will usually occur in both eyes and can include symptoms like: Gritty feeling in the eyes Itchy eyes Burning or stinging sensation Intermittent blurry vision Excessively watery eyes Discomfort when wearing contact lenses When should I see my GP? More severe complications of dry eye can lead to symptoms which might need medical attention. If you experience: extreme light sensitivity (photophobia) very red or painful eyes a change in vision Contact your optometrist, to book a dry eye appointment with us. Causes Tears are an important part of overall eye health. They help to keep your eyes moisturised, clear away dust or debris from the surface of your eyes, keep vision clear, and can help to protect your eyes against infections. Dry eyes happen when your eyes stop making tears as they should. Common factors that can contribute towards a development of dry eye syndrome include: Blepharitis – an inflammation of the eyelid and around the eyelashes, which can also disrupt the glands responsible for producing tears and is responsible for around 85% of dry eye cases. Hormonal changes – such as menopause, thyroid disease, or diabetes. Environmental factors – like hot or windy environments, or if you spend a lot of time in a place with air conditioning Recent laser eye surgery Age Activities that cause eye strain – such as spending a lot of time looking at screens can mean you maybe not be blinking efficiently Using contact lenses Underlying medical conditions – conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren's syndrome can all affect your tear production Certain medications – such as certain antihistamines Alcohol usage – can dehydrate you and affect the quality of your tears Treatment Thankfully, there are many ways to manage dry eye syndrome – both with home remedies and medication – to help ease the symptoms and make sure you’re more comfortable. Cleaning your eyelids everyday with eye lid scrubs, wipes or foams can help remove bacteria, debris and oil that might lead to blockage of the glands and cause dry eye syndrome. Eye drops are readily available in most pharmacies – also called artificial tears – and can help to manage symptoms and replace tears that your eyes aren’t producing. Humidifier – if you live in an arid environment or have central air heating or conditioning that is causing your dry eye problems, getting a humidifier can help replace some of the moisture in the air that might be contributing to your dry eyes. Make sure you drink plenty of water each day as dehydration can lead to dry eye problems or make existing problems worse. If wearing contact lenses causes dry eyes, try to limit how much you wear them. You may also find that using contact lens-friendly eye drops will help ease your symptoms while you’re wearing them. If you suspect that your dry eyes are caused by a medication you’re taking, discuss this with your GP. they may be able to prescribe you an alternative treatment. If you believe that an underlying condition may be the cause, this is another reason to speak to your GP. By treating the underlying condition, you may be able to ease the dry eye symptoms as well. Additional in-practice treatment options include: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment – A light-based therapy that helps reduce inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands, which are essential for producing the oily layer of your tears. Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) – A gentle, non-invasive treatment using specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation, improving eye comfort and relieve dry eye symptoms. Microexfoliation and Massage Treatment – This involves gently exfoliating and cleansing the eyelid edges with a soft tip, improving both eyelid hygiene and gland function. ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) – A deep-cleansing eyelid treatment using an okra-based solution to remove bacteria, biofilm, and debris, promoting healthier eyelids and reducing dry eye symptoms. Takeaway Dry eye syndrome is a relatively common problem and happens when your eyes don’t produce tears of good enough quality or quantity to keep your eyes properly lubricated. It can be managed with products like artificial tears, but if that’s not enough, specialist treatments are available as options for more severe cases. If you’re concerned about your dry eye condition or your overall eye health, speak to your optometrist for advice and help.