Migraine Symptoms without a Headache?

About Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine

When most people think about the word “migraine” the first thought that comes to mind is “headache”. But, it actually is possible to have ocular or ophthalmic migraine with striking visual symptoms-and NO headache!”

Symptoms of Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine

 Patients who are in good overall health sometimes tell us that about once or twice a month they see these strange pulsing images in both eyes-both with their eyes open and closed! Sometimes they tell us that they start out small, may last 10-20 minutes and even cause their vision to become blurry. These episodes actually describe what we know to be an Ocular Migraine-a migraine without a headache! What patients are experiencing is the aura that many sufferers have before the onset of a classic migraine headache. An ocular or ophthalmic migraine often includes zigzag lines, colored lights or flashes of lights expanding to one side of your vision over perhaps 10 to 30 minutes.

If you experience these symptoms, we need to be sure that this is not a sign of a more serious problem, and ask you to schedule an evaluation and eye exam so that we can rule out any other problems and work in concert with your primary care physician or a neurologist to make sure that other testing is not needed.

If you or someone you know has a question about Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Do You Have Pink Eye Conjunctivitis?

Patients call The Eye Care & Surgery Center just about every day asking whether their “red itchy burning eyes” are possibly due to conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” In fact, without actually coming in to see us for an external eye exam, it is difficult if not impossible to tell over the phone. When you do come in there are a number of signs we look for that go along with your symptoms and help us diagnose whether you have “pink eye conjunctivitis.”

Signs & Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis--If you have a bacterial infection causing pink eye conjunctivitis, you will usually have very red eyes. You may find crusting on your eyelids that can make them stick together as well as a heavy, pus-like discharge from your eyes that may be greenish at times. This infection may spread to both eyes.
  
• Viral Conjunctivitis--If you have a viral conjunctivitis we often will find a very red, swollen eye, crusty eyelids and a more watery discharge. This discharge can also have strands of mucus or white, ropy strands. While many cases of viral pink eye infect only one eye, this infection can also spread to the other eye.
  
• Allergic Conjunctivitis--If you have an allergic conjunctivitis and your allergies are causing your conjunctivitis, it will often look similar to viral conjunctivitis. Your eyes will be red and tearing. However, they will also be itchy. It is likely you may have a stuffy, runny or itchy nose as well.

Treatment of Pink Eye Conjunctivitis

For the most part, our approach to the treatment of conjunctivitis is supportive. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections but do work well in treating bacterial conjunctivitis. Regardless of the cause, it is important to minimize exposure of others by washing your hands frequently and throwing away used tissues. Do not share towels or pillow cases. Consider staying home from work or school until you are symptom-free for 24 hours. If you are a contact lens wearer, you should discontinue their use and stick with glasses until your infection clears. Then start with a fresh pair of lenses and a clean lens case.

If you or someone you know has a question about pink eye conjunctivitis, or needs an appointment for an external eye exam for pink eye,  please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Vision after LASIK Really is Better than Contacts

“I had LASIK surgery on both eyes and am extremely pleased with the outcome. I was a happy contact lens wearer for almost 25 years and was skeptical that this procedure would make any difference.  But after being convinced by many who had had the surgery done by Dr. Confino, I decided to go for it. After a few days post-surgery I can’t believe how good my eyes feel and I can see better than with my contacts. I never realized that it would feel this different to not wear contact lenses.”

Kim M.
If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Avoid Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Injury with Proper Protection

Each May we mark national Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month and we remind patients of the need to wear proper UV protective eyewear and use some common sense precautions to avoid the harmful effects of UV that result in eye injury.

Outdoor Activities Mean Greater UV Exposure

While the summer months are a great time to be outdoors-walking, running, hiking, swimming-going to the beach and just enjoying our community, it also means you will likely have greater exposure to the sun and ultraviolet or UV rays on a daily basis, and thus need to use proper UV eye protection by wearing sunglasses or UV protecting eyewear. This is particularly important if you have had previous eye surgery such as LASIK or cataract surgery as LASIK patients and cataract surgery patients with advanced technology lens implants typically no longer need to wear eyeglasses after their surgery-and they often just forget about the need for UV protection.

We want them to remember! We want to make sure eye surgery and other patients avoid is the risk of “sun burnt eyes” or photokeratitis, which is also called ultraviolet keratitis. This can be quite uncomfortable and even be sight threatening.

Day to Day UV Exposure Risk

The risk of sun and UV damage to your eyes can occur over the long term on a cumulative basis or can occur in a more acute manner. Most people don’t realize that the risk of UV eye damage can literally change from day to day with the weather, the cloud cover and your physical location. Sunny days at the beach are certainly riskier than cloudy days and thus you may need to adjust the time you spend in the sun along with being particularly cautious about wearing properly selected and fit sunglasses at that time.

Because of the day to day variation in UV exposure, patients are encouraged to check their UV exposure risk by visiting the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SunWise information page where they can see their individual UV Index or even downloading the UV Index free mobile app, each of which will help you to be more aware and safe.

Common Sense UV protection Tips & Precautions

• Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.
• Wear a brimmed hat along with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
• Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
• Be aware that although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it.
• Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead active lifestyles.
• Be sure to ask your doctor about the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.
• Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.

If you or someone you know has a question about selection and fitting of UV blocking lenses, coatings, color changing lenses such as Transitions® or any type of sunglasses or eyewear,  please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.