What's Your Secret: Sight

By Holly Harding

1 min read

The eyes can be a powerful part of the migraine puzzle. From how our eyes appear when an attack is pending, to the role of aura, to how exquisitely sensitive our eyes can feel before, during, and after an attack, eyes are a major window into the migraine process. In this What’s Your Secret Video, we discuss the ways that sight can be impacted by migraine.

Sharing how sight and eyes are impacted by migraine

Please join the conversation in the comment section below to share how your sight and eyes have been impacted by migraine? What strategies do you use to handle extreme sensitivity? Can people see a migraine coming in your eyes?

Note: Migraines often show themselves through the five senses of the human body. Whether in the form of a prodrome or a trigger, it’s almost as if the senses are like kindling just waiting to ignite- with migraine being the match. This What’s Your Secret Video is part of a series on the Five Senses and how they interact with migraine. We hope you will join us in the comment section to share your stories and experiences of how your senses have played a role with your migraine disease. Stay tuned for more videos.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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bobbyc Member
First off: I like the cat who photobombed the video, I used to have 2 cats that did the same thing every chance they got. Second: I've had migraines for 30 years now and they always start the exact same way. It starts at the back of head just above my neck, always on the right side..Then it travels up and over into my right eye. Once it hits the eye, I start to lose my vision (blurry) and I can usually tell how strong the migraine will be by how fast my right eye goes completely black. My wife and daughter tell me that I get a "popeye" look, as the eyelid closes (and stays closed) in response to light. I do wear sunglasses everywhere so to cut down on the "light interference" which is painful to say the least. If the migraine is going to be "bad" (anything over 15 on a 1-10 scale), the left eye starts going blurry/black also. Severe migraines will cause complete blindness in both eyes, and it is like I stepped into a "black hole" as I lose all senses and don't remember anything at all. I've gone "black hole", then wake up hours or a couple of days later in bed with no knowledge how or when I got there. It has happened a few times while I was driving, so now I don't drive much or the wife drives instead. The last 10 years or so have seen the migraines get stronger and more frequent, this last 2 years have been the worse its ever been. The migraines come 8 days a week (like the Beetles song), and the only difference is how strong and how long it lasts. Strobe lights are a "instant trigger" just like flicking on the light switch. I can't even see strobe lights on TV...the wife and I are fans of the Live PD show on A&E. When it comes on I have to put on sunglasses because of emergency strobe lights that Law Enforcement/Fire/EMS uses anymore.
1. bobbyc Member
 Hi Holly: Sorry I'm slow in responding, but I just got out of the hospital (heart attack) this morning. I spent 10 days in the Cardiac Care Unit, and 2 in "Intermediate Care". So much NOT FUN. My neurologist got me on the "Aimovig" trial a few months ago (December was 1st shot), and it seems to be helping somewhat. The migraines have dropped from every day to 4-5 days with a decrease in intensity. I have discovered though, that after about the 3 weeks on the Aimovig shot, it wears off and the migraines go back to daily, just not as bad (8 on a 1-10 scale). I have found a new trigger for the migraines though, no matter what medication I've taken. My eldest granddaughter is staying with us for a few months (husband was deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months in January). The trigger though, is my great-grandson (8 months). Since the Nerd can't talk yet, he likes to squeal. I've tried earplugs which were no help at all, so now I just take my pain medication (Tramadol) and a handful of Tylenol PM and hide under the blankets in bed. They are going to be here until May when the granddaughter is heading to Mississippi (husband's family). My primary doctor and neurologist have been told about my new "trigger", and they both agreed to up the dosage level on my Tramadol so maybe I won't "stroke out", just have to wait and see. It was nice hearing from from you, I will be reading the posts and articles on the site as it is the best source I've found for migraine information in many, many years.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Oh my goodness, <inline-mention user-id="3686485" username="bobbyc"/> ! I'm so sorry to hear about your recent heart attack! How terrifying that must've been. So glad you're alright and finally back at home. I know the hospital stay couldn't have been good for the migraines (a good night's sleep is impossible to come by in a hospital- and goodness knows the food leaves something to be desired). At any rate, welcome home. That said, it doesn't sound like home is going to provide you with much peace and quiet given the current situation with the Nerd/baby (hilarious term, by the way). I can only imagine trying to handle the screaming of an infant. Loud noises can definitely trigger migraine attacks for me or exacerbate an existing one. Sensitivity to sound is such a common issue for migraineurs- I'm sure many can relate to this challenge. I'm lucky that my migraine disease didn't take off in its daily intensity until my kids were in elementary school (no longer in squealing mode). I wanted to share with you the idea of these ear plugs I use called "ear peace"- I talk about them in this video, around minute 2:40: <a href='https://migraine.com/video/whats-purse-challenge' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/video/whats-purse-challenge/</a> They are comfortable enough to sleep in and wear around the house- somehow you can still have a conversation and hear those around you - it just takes out the really loud or highly painful sounds. Might be worth giving a try in addition to the whole hiding-under-the-blanket thing since you've still got a few months to go before that baby heads back home. You guys are saints, by the way, to host this family for so long- especially while you're dealing with your own health issues. Please stay in touch and hope very much you stay out of the hospital!
bluesguy Member
Hi Holly, thanks for posting the video. My migraines actually started (according to my Ophthalmologist), as a result of multiple eye surgeries (😎. The last surgeries (retinal repairs) brought on persistent migraines back in 2005. So, my eyes play a major role in my migraine journey. I have persistent light sensitivity, and must wear tinted glasses all of my waking hours. p.s. I like your cat.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3787176" username="bluesguy"/> - Thanks so much for your kind feedback. I always appreciate hearing from you and Stella is grateful for the shout out. She comes running whenever the camera is on. Fascinating to hear that eye surgery is likely the beginning cause of your migraine story. What an awful turn of events after what sounds like already painful eye challenges and multiple surgeries. I can’t think of much worse that having surgery on my eyeballs not to mention eight times over! What kind of tinted glasses work best for you? There are so many styles out there. I’ve heard of Theraspecs, but you must be an expert! The rest of us can undoubtedly learn from your wisdom. Please stay in touch and thanks again for chiming in!
bluesguy Member
Hi Holly, thanks for your supportive reply. I have used Theraspecs with good success(mostly when I am on the computer). I also have some specially tinted glasses that I wear indoors (I am sorry, I don't know what they are). I am very light sensitive due to my eye issues, and the migraines make me that much more light sensitive. I also wear really dark sunglasses when I am out. I hope you are as well as possible tonight.
cappucinno Member
Yes, my eyes get effected during the migraine. They feel very dry and scratchy and my eyelids get heavy and I just need to lay down and take a nap (or longer). I also need to be in a room that is as dark as possible. If I am really lucky, the migraine will be greatly diminished when I get up.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Thanks so much for chiming in to share your experience. You are so right that sleep can be one of the best treatments for migraine - but as you mention, it can be very hard to come by. Keep in touch- so glad you are a part of our community!
deedeevee1 Member
The vision in my right eye gets completely blurry during an attack. Before and after as well. I've been chronic and daily since 2009 and pretty much have given up seeing clearly out of that eye.
1. deedeevee1 Member
 I was asked that by the dentist as well. Which is hilarious because of my girth. I said yes but it's involuntary. A little morbid migraine humor. Alas the dentist didn't think it was amusing. I said if I didn't laugh at it I'd be crying constantly. Sad but true.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention user-id="3718603" username="deedeevee1"/> - that's hilarious- but shows you have a great attitude. It is so important to try to continue to find the humor in the midst of the storm that is migraine. So glad you're a part of our community!
cheribell Member
I start seeing flashes of yellow light across my vision about 1 to 2 days before my migraine hits.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3700534" username="cheribell"/> - That sounds like a pretty classic prodrome aura you've got there. Although the aura you describe sounds disturbing to experience, does it at least help to serve as a signal to let you know an attack is coming so that you can begin trying your preventative treatment strategies? As we all know, nipping a migraine in the bud before it's had a chance to come into full bloom increases our chances of stopping it in its tracks. Thanks so much for chiming in. Please stay in touch so we can keep learning from and supporting one another! Thinking of you.