Migraine symptoms: new images show what people see when suffering a migraine and the effect it has on vision

• Migraines affect between 15 and 23% of the UK population.
• As well as causing debilitating headaches, symptoms also often include nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
• It’s not yet fully understood what causes migraines.
• Click Pharmacy have put together images of how three different types of migraines can impact your vision.

New images have revealed what people see when they are experiencing a migraine and the impact a migraine attack can have on your vision.

The excruciating headaches are incredibly common, affecting between 15% and 23% of people in the UK and can cause debilitating symptoms including nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. 

People are more likely to experience migraines when they are an adolescent or young adult, though children and toddlers can also be affected. Women are more likely to suffer migraines, which is thought to be potentially triggered by hormones.

However, it’s not fully understood exactly what causes migraines yet, and what the connection to other conditions might be. The online pharmacy Click Pharmacy have created images to show the effects that three different types of migraine can have on your vision.

Migraine with aura

The image below illustrates how a breakfast table might appear to someone experiencing a migraine with aura - a migraine that is accompanied by warning signs before the attack begins, such as visual disturbances. Their vision could be affected by coloured dots or lines, blind spots, and zig zag patterns.

Migraine with brainstem aura

The below image demonstrates what someone experiencing a migraine with brainstem aura might see as they sit down to work on their laptop. The edges of the laptop and coffee cup are blurred by the double vision characteristic of this type of migraine, and they can see dots of light. About 10% of those with migraines with aura are affected by brainstem auras, which can cause double vision, slurred speech, ringing in ears, or fainting.

Hemiplegic migraine 

The final image below shows how someone experiencing a hemiplegic migraine might see a coffee shop. As well as feeling weak or numb on one side of their body, they might also see visual disturbances like zig zag lines or sparkling light. 

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

Migraines tend to present as a very bad headache with throbbing pain on one side of the head, according to the NHS. Other symptoms can include:

• feeling very tired and yawning a lot
• craving certain foods or feeling thirsty
• changes in your mood
• a stiff neck
• peeing more

The symptoms will also depend on the type of migraine you are experiencing. A migraine with an aura, will have warning signs such as “seeing zigzag lines, numbness or tingling, feeling dizzy or difficulty speaking” just before it starts. Whilst a Migraine aura without headache will give warning signs “like flashing lights, but no headache.”

What causes migraines?

We don’t fully understand exactly what causes migraines yet, but it is thought that they are triggered when blood vessels around the head and brain widen. Migraines can be triggered sometimes by poor sleep, stress, skipping meals or the menstrual cycle. With many people who suffer from migraines more likely to experience one at certain times of the month, usually two days before or three days after having a period.

You can find out more about the different types of migraines, signs, symptoms and support at NHS.UK.