Migraines are more than just headaches; they're a complex neurological condition that can significantly impact your life. Traditional treatments may provide some relief, but there's an emerging field that's bringing new hope to those suffering from this debilitating condition. It's called neuro-optometry, and its potential for migraine relief is an exciting development.
 

Understanding Migraines and Their Impact

Migraines are a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches often in association with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms. Typically, the headache affects one half of the head, is pulsating in nature, and lasts from a few hours to 3 days. Accompanying symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. The pain can be so debilitating that it interferes with your daily activities and can significantly reduce the quality of life.
 

Unlike the common tension headache, migraines often present with a variety of sensory disturbances known as aura. These can include visual phenomena, such as seeing various shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light, or other disturbances such as tingling on one side of the face, arm, or leg and difficulty speaking. These sensory symptoms typically precede the headache phase and signal that a migraine is about to occur.
 

What is Neuro-Optometry?

Neuro-optometry is a branch of optometry that focuses on the relationship between your vision and your brain. It's a specialized field that addresses how your brain processes the information your eyes see and how visual dysfunctions can impact your neurological function. Neuro-optometrists are trained to recognize and treat visual disorders that stem from neurological issues, including the aftereffects of brain injuries, stroke, and yes, migraines.
 

Vision is more than the ability to see clearly; it's a complex process that involves intricate coordination between your eyes and your brain. When this relationship is disrupted, it can lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches, eye strain, double vision, and balance issues. For migraine sufferers, these visual disturbances can be both a symptom and a trigger of migraine attacks.
 

The Role of Neuro-Optometry in Migraine Relief

One of the key roles of neuro-optometry in migraine relief is identifying and addressing visual triggers. By performing a thorough assessment, a neuro-optometrist can pinpoint the visual stimuli that may be contributing to your migraines and work with you to develop strategies to minimize their impact.
 

Neuro-optometrists are proficient in detecting subtle visual dysfunctions that might not be found in a standard eye exam. These dysfunctions could include difficulties with eye tracking, focusing, or alignment, all of which could potentially exacerbate migraine symptoms. Addressing these issues can often lead to a reduction in the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches.
 

Every migraine sufferer's experience is unique, making individualized rehabilitation plans essential. Neuro-Optometrists consider your specific symptoms, triggers, and lifestyle when creating a management strategy. This tailored approach ensures that treatment is as effective as possible, with the goal of not only relieving current symptoms but also preventing future episodes.
 

What treatments does a neuro-optometrist offer?

Specially designed migraine glasses can help filter out harmful wavelengths of light, which reduces the impact of light sensitivity as a migraine trigger. Our office offers a new technology called the Avalux lens, which filters out the most harmful wavelengths of light, but keeps color perception normal.  The Avalux lens can be worn continuously, or at the start of a migraine to keep it from getting worse. 
 

If your eyes have trouble working together, prism glasses to reduce the misalignment can help reduce the frequency of migraines.  Vision therapy can help retrain your eyes and brain to work together.  Patients whose migraines are frequently triggered by screen use may benefit the most from these 2 options. 
 

Syntonic phototherapy is a form of light therapy that helps rebalance the autonomic nervous system.  This can help reduce some of the dizziness and nausea symptoms that accompany migraine. 
 

Schedule Your Consultation with Vision Rehabilitation Associates Today

Migraines can be a challenging and often misunderstood condition, but advancements in neuro-optometry are shedding light on new methods for relief. By understanding the complex relationship between your vision and your brain, you can explore alternative solutions that may alleviate your symptoms. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation provides a targeted approach that goes beyond medication, aiming at long-term management and potentially reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines.
 

If you are experiencing migraines or for further guidance on neuro-optometric rehabilitation, visit Vision Rehabilitation Associates at our office in Glenview, Illinois. Please call (847) 716-2340 to schedule a consultation today.