ophthalmoplegic migraine

Ophthalmoplegic migraine is a rare form of migraine headache that is felt around the eye. It is often connected with weakness of the muscles around the eye.

 

An ophthalmoplegic migraine causes severe headache. It also may affect the person's vision. Generally, migraines are believed to be caused by changes in the blood flow in the vessels of the head. Changes in blood flow to different areas of the brain can produce a variety of symptoms. The exact process that causes this type of migraine, however, is not well understood. One possible cause is inflammation of the blood vessels around the eye. Allergic reactions are another possible cause.

 

A person who has ophthalmoplegic migraine has specific symptoms involving the eyes. These symptoms may differ from person to person but most likely include the following:

 

A migraine occurs when cells in the brain become overly sensitive to stimulation. This type of migraine may start with an allergic reaction, or it may begin with inflammation of the blood vessels around the eye. Factors that may trigger a migraine are as follows: alcoholcertain foods, including chocolate and some cheeseschange in hormone levelsfatiguefood additivesfoods containing tyramine, such as red wine and organ meatslight or noisetoo much or too little sleepweather changes

A person can lower the risk for migraine by identifying and avoiding triggers. People who are sensitive to tyramine, for example, should not drink red wine. For certain patients, medicines can be used to prevent migraines and include the following: anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (i.e., Neurontin),carbamazepine (i.e., Tegretol), topiramate (i.e., Topamax) and valproic acid (i.e., Depakote, Depakene)beta-blockers, such as atenolol (i.e., Tenormin) and propranolol (i.e., Inderal, InnoPran)calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (i.e., Cardizem, Tiazac, Dilacor) and verapamil (i.e., Calan, Covera, Verelan)lithium carbonatemethysergide maleate (i.e., Sansert) and methylergonovine maleate (i.e., Methergine)nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin) and naproxen sodium (i.e., Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn)selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including paroxetine ( i.e., Paxil)and fluoxetine HCl (i.e., Prozac)tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (i.e., Elavil) and nortriptyline (i.e., Pamelor)other antidepressants, such as trazodone (i.e., Desyrel) and venlafaxine ( i.e., Effexor)

Diagnosis of ophthalmoplegic migraine begins with a medical history and physical exam. Other eye disorders need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of ophthalmoplegic migraines can be made.