Migraine Aura, Scotoma, or Blurred Vision? How to Tell the Difference

Visual changes can be frightening, especially when you live with migraine. But not every blind spot, shimmer, or blurry patch means the same thing.

In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme breaks down the differences between visual migraine aura, scotoma, and blurred vision, so you can better understand what your eyes and brain may be telling you.

You’ll learn:

💡 How to recognize the typical features of a visual migraine aura, including one surprisingly useful clue

💡 What a scotoma really is and how to distinguish a blind spot from shimmering or blurred vision

💡 Which visual symptoms deserve prompt medical attention, rather than automatically being attributed to migraine

A practical episode to help you understand visual symptoms with more clarity and know when they may need a closer look.

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References:

• The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition (International Headache Society, 2018): The classification defines migraine aura, including its gradual development, reversibility, and typical duration. Read more here.
• Are These Visual Symptoms Due to Migraine? A Guide for General Practice (Goldsmith, 2020): This guide explains features that help distinguish migraine visual aura from other visual symptoms. Read more here.
• A Phase-by-Phase Review of Migraine Pathophysiology (Dodick, 2018): This review describes migraine as a multiphase disorder and links aura with cortical spreading depression. Read more here.
• Biological Insights From the Premonitory Symptoms of Migraine (Karsan & Goadsby, 2018): This review explores what early migraine symptoms reveal about attack neurobiology. Read more here.
• Visual Aura in Migraine: An Analysis of 165 Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India (Singla et al., 2021): This study describes common visual aura symptoms, including scintillating scotoma and zigzag lines. Read more here.
• Symptoms Related to the Visual System in Migraine (van Dongen & Haan, 2019): This review covers aura, visual blurring, photophobia, visual snow, and other visual symptoms. Read more here.
• Neuroimaging for Migraine: The American Headache Society Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guideline (Evans et al., 2020): This guideline explains when brain imaging may be appropriate in migraine, including unusual or changing aura. Read more here.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks.

We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.