November 27, 2025 • 8 mins
When your vision fills with zigzags, flickers, or a growing blind spot, it can feel alarming. Dr. Marc Grossman describes visual migraines and the difference between ophthalmic visual migraines and retinal migraines. What is happening in the brain and retina? Why does blood flow matter? Which symptoms are an emergency?
For prevention, we share complementary approaches that support circulation and calm the nervous system: chiropractic or osteopathic care for neck and cranial tension, craniosacral therapy, and acupuncture patterns often linked to liver and kidney meridians.
Listen to this episode. If it helped you see your symptoms more clearly, then please subscribe to the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find these tools.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:05):
This is the Natural Eye Care Podcast, hosted by
leading holistic optometrist Dr.
Mark R.
Grossman.
Senior citizens are at thehighest risk of developing
macular degeneration, glaucoma,cataracts, dry, and more.
The Natural Eye Care Podcastprovides complementary and
natural approaches to visionproblems, eye health, and
(00:25):
overall health.
Find out how lifestyle, diet,and nutrition can help maintain
healthy vision and even improveeyesight.
Dr.
Grossman has degrees inoptometry, biology, physical
education, and learningdisabilities.
He is a New York State licensedacupuncturist.
With 40 years of experience, hehas co-authored the book Natural
(00:47):
Eye Care, Your Guide to HealthyVision and Healing.
Dr.
Grossman.
SPEAKER_01 (00:52):
Today's podcast is on visual migraines.
Visual migraines can bedescribed as a group of
conditions all affecting vision,usually temporary without pain.
The causes of these migrainesare still under debate.
Visual migraines are more commonin women of childbearing years
(01:15):
who have a history of migraineswith auras, and for whom the
diagnosis is one of exclusion, adiagnosis reached by a process
of elimination.
There are two types of visualmigraines ophthalmic or retinal.
Ophthalmic migraines are thoughtto result from abnormal
(01:37):
electrical activity slowlyspreading across certain regions
of the outer brain cortex.
These will affect both eyes.
This is responsible for thedevelopment of slowly
progressing visual changes,usually over 20 to 60 minutes.
These migraines are also knownas scintillating scotomas.
(02:00):
In retinal migraines, the visualsymptoms take place in the
retina rather than across theouter brain cortex.
They occur only in one eyebefore or during the headache
phase.
The disturbance in retinalmigraine may also result from
abnormal spreading withelectrical activity, except it
(02:21):
occurs in the retina.
This disturbance may also be dueto reduced retinal blood flow.
Very important.
Remember, embryologically,physiologically, neurologically
the eye is brain tissue.
Retinal blood flow, so we'regoing to talk about how can we
help retinal blood flow.
(02:41):
Migraines with aura cause nopermanent visual or brain damage
and do not require treatment.
Retinal migraines, on the otherhand, have more potential for
long-term vision loss.
Either way, you need to getevaluated and monitored by your
eye doctor.
Visual migraines occur in thevisual cortex.
(03:03):
This condition is marked by aspasm or spreading wave of
spasms that arise in theoccipital area of the brain.
Related blood vessel spasm andredilation is likely linked to
these electrical charges.
The experience of a personsuffering from this condition is
sparkling or flickering oflights, as well as dots, wavy
(03:26):
lines, zigzags, arcs, camouflagepatterns, or blurry areas.
Typically, scotoma starts as asmall visual disturbance that
slowly starts growing over muchof the visual field over about
15 to 20 minutes beforedisappearing completely.
A headache may follow the visualeffect, ranging from mild to
(03:49):
severe, or the person may justfeel tired, depressed, or washed
out.
Retina migraines occur usuallyjust in one eye, and there may
be an abnormal spreading ofelectrical activity in the
retina.
This migraine may also be causedby a sudden constriction or
blockage behind or in the eye.
(04:11):
It may occur with or without athrobbing headache at the side
of the head.
The patient may alsosimultaneously experience
sensitivity to lighter nausea.
The temporary loss or distortionof vision in one eye makes it
difficult to conduct visual workand makes it dangerous to drive.
Migraine headaches.
(04:32):
A standard migraine headache isdefined by a moderate tovere
headache that lasts for 4 to 72hours with a number of connected
symptoms.
It may be tied to family genetictraits and triggered by certain
foods, stress, or environmentalfactors.
Migraine headaches resultprimarily from changes in the
small blood vessels in the heador eyes, either in the form of
(04:55):
vasodilation or spasms.
Approximately 20% of migraineheadaches are preceded by an
aura, usually occurring 20 to 30minutes before the headache
starts.
Visual disturbances may includeblind spots, the appearance of
flashing lights, spots oflights, or wavy lines.
So usually if you have all thesedifferent kinds of visual
(05:17):
headaches, a visit to aneuroophthalmologist may be a
really good idea to do.
What are the symptoms of thevisual migraine?
Visual changes in both eyes, ablank spot in the visual field,
flickering of light, shimmeringwhite light, colored lights in
the periphery, zigzag lines inthe visual field, blurred areas
(05:42):
of vision mostly around theperiphery.
But the retinal migrainesymptoms are vision loss in one
eye lasting less than one hour,possible migraine headache,
sensitivity to light, throbbingor pulsing feeling, feeling
worse when you move around.
And also the other reason it'sreally important to go see your
(06:03):
eye doctor is because some ofthe symptoms of a narrow angle
glaucoma could be similar,especially an intense headache,
usually over the brow, halosaround lights, dilated pupils.
So make sure by going to the eyedoctor that you don't have a
narrow angle glaucoma and to seeif there's anything else going
(06:26):
on in your eyes.
Conventional treatments.
Ocular migraines tend to go awayafter a few minutes to an hour.
Generally, treatment is notneeded.
However, if you have had themrepeatedly, it's a good idea to
have an exam.
Normal practice is for a medicaldoctor to get your complete
medical history and give you athorough physical exam to rule
(06:48):
out the causes of the headaches.
When we look at a complementaryapproach, I might send you to
the chiropractor, the osteopath,a cranial sacral therapist,
somebody who's going to checkyour cranial bones, your neck to
see if there's any tensionthere.
Because these are many times thereason for decreased blood flow
(07:08):
in your head and can cause theseheadaches.
Diet, nutrition, and lifestylechoices.
Of course, stress can do this,so meditate, take walks in the
morning, do yoga, but notheadstands unless you get ruled
out that you don't haveglaucoma.
Computer, avoid long hours onthe computer, take frequent
(07:29):
breaks.
Do aerobic exercise.
Pay attention to what you eatbecause sometimes the food can
cause these kinds of headaches.
Sleep routine.
Wake up at the same time eachmorning and get plenty of sleep
at night.
And acupuncture has been veryhelpful for this condition.
In acupuncture, it's usuallyrelated to the kidney and liver
(07:51):
meridian.
So, I hope this information washelpful for you.
On naturaleecare.com, theremedies that we usually
recommend are the revisionformula, which is usually for
the liver, the advanced visionsupport formula to give support
to the eye, looking at the eyeas a totality and see what
(08:13):
happens to the person behind theeye.
When do they have it?
Why do they have it?
What can trigger it?
Visit us at naturaley care.com.
Keep your precious gift ofsight.
SPEAKER_00 (08:27):
For more information, visit naturaley
care.com and doctorgrossman2020.com.
Our email address is info atnaturaleyecare.com.
If you have any questions, callus 845-475-4158.
And if you don't alreadysubscribe to this podcast,
(08:50):
please subscribe and review us.
This is the Natural Eye Care Podcast, hosted by
leading holistic optometrist Dr.
Mark R.
Grossman.
Senior citizens are at thehighest risk of developing
macular degeneration, glaucoma,cataracts, dry, and more.
The Natural Eye Care Podcastprovides complementary and
natural approaches to visionproblems, eye health, and
(00:25):
overall health.
Find out how lifestyle, diet,and nutrition can help maintain
healthy vision and even improveeyesight.
Dr.
Grossman has degrees inoptometry, biology, physical
education, and learningdisabilities.
He is a New York State licensedacupuncturist.
With 40 years of experience, hehas co-authored the book Natural
(00:47):
Eye Care, Your Guide to HealthyVision and Healing.
Dr.
Grossman.
SPEAKER_01 (00:52):
Today's podcast is on visual migraines.
Visual migraines can bedescribed as a group of
conditions all affecting vision,usually temporary without pain.
The causes of these migrainesare still under debate.
Visual migraines are more commonin women of childbearing years
(01:15):
who have a history of migraineswith auras, and for whom the
diagnosis is one of exclusion, adiagnosis reached by a process
of elimination.
There are two types of visualmigraines ophthalmic or retinal.
Ophthalmic migraines are thoughtto result from abnormal
(01:37):
electrical activity slowlyspreading across certain regions
of the outer brain cortex.
These will affect both eyes.
This is responsible for thedevelopment of slowly
progressing visual changes,usually over 20 to 60 minutes.
These migraines are also knownas scintillating scotomas.
(02:00):
In retinal migraines, the visualsymptoms take place in the
retina rather than across theouter brain cortex.
They occur only in one eyebefore or during the headache
phase.
The disturbance in retinalmigraine may also result from
abnormal spreading withelectrical activity, except it
(02:21):
occurs in the retina.
This disturbance may also be dueto reduced retinal blood flow.
Very important.
Remember, embryologically,physiologically, neurologically
the eye is brain tissue.
Retinal blood flow, so we'regoing to talk about how can we
help retinal blood flow.
(02:41):
Migraines with aura cause nopermanent visual or brain damage
and do not require treatment.
Retinal migraines, on the otherhand, have more potential for
long-term vision loss.
Either way, you need to getevaluated and monitored by your
eye doctor.
Visual migraines occur in thevisual cortex.
(03:03):
This condition is marked by aspasm or spreading wave of
spasms that arise in theoccipital area of the brain.
Related blood vessel spasm andredilation is likely linked to
these electrical charges.
The experience of a personsuffering from this condition is
sparkling or flickering oflights, as well as dots, wavy
(03:26):
lines, zigzags, arcs, camouflagepatterns, or blurry areas.
Typically, scotoma starts as asmall visual disturbance that
slowly starts growing over muchof the visual field over about
15 to 20 minutes beforedisappearing completely.
A headache may follow the visualeffect, ranging from mild to
(03:49):
severe, or the person may justfeel tired, depressed, or washed
out.
Retina migraines occur usuallyjust in one eye, and there may
be an abnormal spreading ofelectrical activity in the
retina.
This migraine may also be causedby a sudden constriction or
blockage behind or in the eye.
(04:11):
It may occur with or without athrobbing headache at the side
of the head.
The patient may alsosimultaneously experience
sensitivity to lighter nausea.
The temporary loss or distortionof vision in one eye makes it
difficult to conduct visual workand makes it dangerous to drive.
Migraine headaches.
(04:32):
A standard migraine headache isdefined by a moderate tovere
headache that lasts for 4 to 72hours with a number of connected
symptoms.
It may be tied to family genetictraits and triggered by certain
foods, stress, or environmentalfactors.
Migraine headaches resultprimarily from changes in the
small blood vessels in the heador eyes, either in the form of
(04:55):
vasodilation or spasms.
Approximately 20% of migraineheadaches are preceded by an
aura, usually occurring 20 to 30minutes before the headache
starts.
Visual disturbances may includeblind spots, the appearance of
flashing lights, spots oflights, or wavy lines.
So usually if you have all thesedifferent kinds of visual
(05:17):
headaches, a visit to aneuroophthalmologist may be a
really good idea to do.
What are the symptoms of thevisual migraine?
Visual changes in both eyes, ablank spot in the visual field,
flickering of light, shimmeringwhite light, colored lights in
the periphery, zigzag lines inthe visual field, blurred areas
(05:42):
of vision mostly around theperiphery.
But the retinal migrainesymptoms are vision loss in one
eye lasting less than one hour,possible migraine headache,
sensitivity to light, throbbingor pulsing feeling, feeling
worse when you move around.
And also the other reason it'sreally important to go see your
(06:03):
eye doctor is because some ofthe symptoms of a narrow angle
glaucoma could be similar,especially an intense headache,
usually over the brow, halosaround lights, dilated pupils.
So make sure by going to the eyedoctor that you don't have a
narrow angle glaucoma and to seeif there's anything else going
(06:26):
on in your eyes.
Conventional treatments.
Ocular migraines tend to go awayafter a few minutes to an hour.
Generally, treatment is notneeded.
However, if you have had themrepeatedly, it's a good idea to
have an exam.
Normal practice is for a medicaldoctor to get your complete
medical history and give you athorough physical exam to rule
(06:48):
out the causes of the headaches.
When we look at a complementaryapproach, I might send you to
the chiropractor, the osteopath,a cranial sacral therapist,
somebody who's going to checkyour cranial bones, your neck to
see if there's any tensionthere.
Because these are many times thereason for decreased blood flow
(07:08):
in your head and can cause theseheadaches.
Diet, nutrition, and lifestylechoices.
Of course, stress can do this,so meditate, take walks in the
morning, do yoga, but notheadstands unless you get ruled
out that you don't haveglaucoma.
Computer, avoid long hours onthe computer, take frequent
(07:29):
breaks.
Do aerobic exercise.
Pay attention to what you eatbecause sometimes the food can
cause these kinds of headaches.
Sleep routine.
Wake up at the same time eachmorning and get plenty of sleep
at night.
And acupuncture has been veryhelpful for this condition.
In acupuncture, it's usuallyrelated to the kidney and liver
(07:51):
meridian.
So, I hope this information washelpful for you.
On naturaleecare.com, theremedies that we usually
recommend are the revisionformula, which is usually for
the liver, the advanced visionsupport formula to give support
to the eye, looking at the eyeas a totality and see what
(08:13):
happens to the person behind theeye.
When do they have it?
Why do they have it?
What can trigger it?
Visit us at naturaley care.com.
Keep your precious gift ofsight.
SPEAKER_00 (08:27):
For more information, visit naturaley
care.com and doctorgrossman2020.com.
Our email address is info atnaturaleyecare.com.
If you have any questions, callus 845-475-4158.
And if you don't alreadysubscribe to this podcast,
(08:50):
please subscribe and review us.
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