- With Mayo Clinic emeritus ophthalmologist
Dennis Robertson, M.D.
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Dennis Robertson, M.D.
Dennis Robertson, M.D.
Dennis M. Robertson was born in South St. Paul, Minn., and grew up in a musical family on the Mississippi River. He completed his undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Minnesota, where he received a B.A., B.S. and M.D.
Following an internship at San Bernardino County Hospital in California, he worked for two years on Indian reservations under the umbrella of the U.S. Public Health Service. He later completed a residency in ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic and pursued postgraduate fellowship training in vitreoretinal disorders at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. He returned to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he worked as a consultant from 1967 until retiring from clinical activities in December 2007.
His studies included a sabbatical during 1987 and 1988 at Moorfields and St. Bartholomew’s hospitals in London. His scientific interests have been chiefly in disorders of the retina and vitreous and ocular oncology. In 1999, he became the recipient of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Professorship.
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Question
Ocular migraine: What causes it?
What is an ocular migraine? Is it a sign of something serious?
Answer
from Dennis Robertson, M.D.
The term "ocular migraine" can be confusing. It's sometimes used to refer to two different conditions, one of which usually isn't cause for concern, and the other which might have more-serious complications.
Migraine aura involving your vision
In some cases, "ocular migraine" describes a migraine aura that involves your vision. Migraine auras include a variety of sensations — often visual, but which also may include other sensations, such as numbness — that precede or accompany a migraine. Aura can sometimes occur without an associated headache.
A migraine aura that affects your vision is common. Visual symptoms are short-lasting. A migraine aura involving your vision will affect both eyes, and you may see:
- Flashes of light
- Zigzagging patterns
- Blind spots
- Shimmering spots or stars
These symptoms can temporarily interfere with certain activities such as reading or driving, but the condition usually isn't considered serious.
Retinal migraine
Sometimes, the term "ocular migraine" is used as a synonym for the medical term "retinal migraine." A retinal migraine is a rare condition occurring in a person who has experienced other symptoms of migraine. Retinal migraine involves repeated bouts of short-lasting, diminished vision or blindness. This may precede or accompany a headache.
A retinal migraine — unlike a migraine aura affecting vision — will affect only one eye, not both. Most often, loss of vision in one eye isn't related to migraine. It's generally caused by some other more serious condition. So if you experience visual loss in one eye, be sure to see an eye specialist.
Next questionMigraines and gastrointestinal problems: Is there a link?
- Bajwa ZH, et al. Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 14, 2009.
- Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 15, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 21, 2009.
