Migraine or eye issue? How to tell the difference
Migraine attacks can cause issues with a person’s vision. But not all eye issues are related to them. Here’s why.
Sometimes people may have migraine attacks. They can include a moderate to severe headache, often located on one side of their head.1
Symptoms can also include vision changes to both eyes. These vision symptoms may be temporary.1,2
But there are other health conditions that cause a person to experience temporary or even permanent vision loss in 1 or both eyes. They may not be related to migraine attacks.
Learn how to tell if a person’s vision issues may be related to a migraine attack — or if they may be caused by something else.
Experiencing vision issues in 1 or both eyes? It may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with an eye care provider. Find an in-network provider now.
What is a migraine attack?
A migraine attack may often be described as a bad headache. But it tends to be more than that.1 Migraine attacks typically progress through 4 phases:1
- Prodrome. During this phase, a person can experience hunger, mood changes and increased yawning.
- Aura. This phase involves visual disturbances or other sensory changes. These could include seeing zigzag lines or experiencing temporary vision loss.
- Headache. See above.
- Postdrome. This phase can leave a person feeling exhausted, confused or having difficulty concentrating.
A person may see this type of migraine referred to as a “migraine with aura.” Adult women may get these more often than men. They may be triggered by factors such as stress, sleep patterns and environmental changes.1
About 9 in 10 people who have migraine with aura have visual aura.2
What is a retinal migraine, and how may it differ from a migraine attack?
Migraine with aura affects vision in both eyes. But if a person is dealing with vision issues in only 1 eye, it could be a symptom of a different type of migraine.
They may be experiencing a retinal migraine.1 Retinal migraines tend to be less common.2
They can involve repeated instances of brief partial vision loss. These could include things like blind spots. They can happen before or during the headache.2
But vision issues in 1 or both eyes may also be symptoms of more serious eye conditions.
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What other eye conditions affect vision in 1 or both eyes?
If a person is experiencing blurred vision in 1 or both eyes, it could be a symptom of a more serious vision-related condition, such as:3
1. Retinal detachment. This can happen when the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye, is pulled out of its normal position. Besides blurred vision, it may cause symptoms such as:3
- Appearance of a shadow or curtain in a person’s field of vision
- Decreased peripheral (side) vision
- Flashes of light or eye floaters that may move across a person’s field of vision
2. Closed-angle glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease that could affect an eye’s optic nerve. That’s a bundle of nerve fibers that brings information from the retina to the brain. If not caught early, it may lead to blindness.4
Some eye care providers may also refer to this type of glaucoma as “angle-closure” or “narrow-angle glaucoma.” This may occur when someone’s iris (the colored part of their eye) may be too close to where eye fluids are draining.4
If the draining angle is completely blocked, it could lead to a sudden increase in eye pressure. This can lead to what’s called an acute attack. Symptoms could include:4
- Headache
- Nausea
- Seeing rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights
- Severe eye pain
- Sudden blurry vision
- Vomiting
This may be a serious condition, because it could lead to blindness.
3. Wet macular degeneration. This condition, which can cause reduced central vision, may be caused by issues with the macula. That’s the center of the retina, which is responsible for central vision and seeing fine details.3
With the “wet” type of macular degeneration, a person can experience sudden bleeding or leakage of fluid in 1 eye. That can cause immediate vision loss in that eye or both.3
Other symptoms may include:
- Dark or blind spots appearing in the central vision
- Trouble recognizing faces
- Trouble reading and/or driving
- Trouble seeing fine details
- Wavy vision or other visual distortions in the central vision
4. Diabetic retinopathy. This can affect people with diabetes. It can occur when someone has high blood sugar for long periods of time. Diabetic retinopathy can damage the tiny blood vessels in their body, including their retina.3
If the blood vessels in the retina become damaged, they may begin to leak fluid. This may cause swelling of the retina and blurred vision.
Other symptoms to watch out for could include:3
- Double vision
- Floaters
- Increased dark spots
- Poor night vision
If a person has any of these symptoms, it could be a good idea to see an eye care provider immediately.
What other conditions may cause vision loss?
If a person is experiencing vision loss in 1 or both eyes, it could also be another type of serious health condition. These could include:3
- Brain tumor
- Stroke
If a person thinks they have a brain tumor or that they may be having a stroke, it’s important for them to seek immediate medical attention. That’s because both conditions may be fatal.
There could also be other, less-urgent health issues where a person may experience blurriness in 1 or both eyes. These might include:3
- An eye infection
- Cataract (clouding in the eye’s or eyes’ lens)
- Eye strain
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
How may a person treat vision-related issues?
Since there may be overlapping symptoms for a lot of these health issues, it might be best to schedule an appointment with an eye care provider. They may be able to diagnose and treat them. Of course, if the vision-related issue is serious, it may be best to seek emergency medical care immediately.
Providers in the UnitedHealthcare Vision Network are available to help diagnose and treat your vision-related issues. Search for an eye care provider now.
Sources:
- Migraine National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, last reviewed January 2025.
- Ocular Migraine: When to Seek Help Mayo Clinic, August 2024.
- 11 Causes of Blurry Vision in One Eye Optometrists Network.
- Understanding Glaucoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment American Academy of Ophthalmology, October 2024.
