Retinal Migraine: A Case Report

Retinal migraine is a subgroup of migraine. Retinal migraines are transient monocular visual disturbances that can occur simultaneously with migraine headaches or in a patient with a prior history of migraines. Retinal migraines occur because of hypoperfusion of either the eye or the optic nerve. A 28-year woman was admitted to the emergency department with decreased vision in the right eye and headache. Neurologic and other systemic examinations were normal. Ophthalmologist consultation was performed. Her best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 and the intraocular pressures in both eyes were within normal limits. Color vision testing, fundus examination, and extra ocular muscle function were normal bilaterally. Visual field to confrontation suggested a left temporal hemianopia. Left temporal hemianopia was confirmed by the automatic perimetry test. The diagnosis was retinal migraine in the light of the anamnesis and physical exam findings. Headache and visual complaints had resolved during the follow up in the emergency department. The patient was discharged on the 2nd day of admission with full recovery. As a result, for patients presenting with complaints of headache and visual disturbances, emergency physicians should be alert in terms of retinal migraine, and patients should be considered comprehensively for this reason.