When Your Head Hurts and Your Vision Blurs
Ever had a throbbing headache that made it hard to see clearly? Maybe your vision became blurry, or you saw strange flashes of light. It’s easy to assume you just need to rest your eyes, but in many cases, these visual changes can actually be part of a migraine.
Migraines aren’t just “bad headaches.” They can affect how you see, how you feel, and how you function. For some people, vision problems like blind spots, flickering lights, or zigzag lines are warning signs of a migraine attack.
In this article, we’ll explain the connection between migraines and vision problems in simple, easy-to-understand language. We’ll help you know what signs to look out for, when to see a doctor or optometrist, and how your Health4Me plan can help you access the care you need, without breaking the bank.
Want to understand more about the different types of headaches? Read our guide to headache causes and treatments here.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It’s a common health condition that affects millions of people and can seriously impact your daily life. Migraines are often intense, throbbing headaches that usually affect one side of the head, but they come with more than just pain.
Many people who get migraines also experience other symptoms, such as:
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or strong smells
- Changes in vision, like flashing lights or blurry spots
These symptoms can last for hours or even days. For some, the warning signs start before the headache begins. This is called a “migraine aura,” and it often includes visual changes like zigzag lines, blind spots, or shimmering lights.
According to Harvard Health, these visual disturbances are caused by temporary changes in the brain’s activity, not by a problem with the eyes themselves. Still, they can be frightening if you don’t know what’s happening.
If you’re noticing these kinds of symptoms, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional so they can help you understand what’s going on and rule out anything more serious.
How Migraines Affect Your Eyes
Some migraines come with changes in your vision—this is known as a migraine aura. It usually happens before the headache starts, but can also occur during or after. These visual symptoms can be confusing or even scary if you don’t know what they are.
Common vision symptoms during a migraine include:
- Blurred vision – things may look out of focus or hazy
- Flashes of light – like flickering or sparkling lights in your field of vision
- Zigzag patterns – moving lines or shapes, often bright and colourful
- Blind spots (scotomas) – parts of your vision may seem missing or blocked out
These symptoms are usually temporary and go away on their own within about 20 to 60 minutes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they’re caused by changes in brain activity that affect how you see, not by a problem with your eyes themselves.
Still, if you’re experiencing these kinds of vision changes for the first time—or if they feel different from what you’ve had before—it’s best to speak to a doctor or optometrist. They can check that nothing more serious is going on and help you manage the symptoms safely.
What Is an Ocular Migraine?
An ocular migraine is a specific type of migraine that causes temporary vision loss or visual disturbances, but only in one eye. This is different from the usual migraine aura, which often affects both eyes and your wider field of vision.
During an ocular migraine, you may experience:
- A blind spot or partial vision loss in one eye
- Flickering or shimmering lights
- Blurry or distorted vision in just one eye
These symptoms can be frightening, especially if it’s your first time experiencing them. The good news is that ocular migraines are usually temporary, often lasting less than an hour, and your vision returns to normal shortly after.
However, according to the Mayo Clinic, it’s very important to speak to a doctor if you experience vision loss in one eye, even if it goes away quickly. This is because similar symptoms can also be caused by serious conditions like:
- A retinal tear or detachment
- A mini-stroke (TIA)
- Or problems with blood flow to the eye
Your doctor may refer you for an eye exam or further tests to make sure everything is okay.
If you’re covered under Bloom’s Health4Me plan, you can visit a GP for an initial check-up, and if needed, be referred to a specialist for further care.
When to See a Doctor
If you’re experiencing vision changes—whether it’s flashing lights, blind spots, or blurry vision—it’s important not to ignore them. While these symptoms can be part of a migraine, they can also be a sign of something more serious.
We recommend getting your eyes checked and speaking to a GP or healthcare provider, especially if:
- The symptoms are new or have changed, even if you’ve had migraines before
- You’ve never been diagnosed with migraines, and you’re suddenly seeing strange patterns or losing vision
- The vision symptoms don’t go away, or they last longer than usual
- You feel confused, dizzy, or weak, as this could indicate something other than a migraine
Please don’t try to self-diagnose. Vision problems should always be taken seriously, even if they turn out to be harmless. A healthcare professional can help you understand what’s happening and make sure you get the right treatment.
If you’re on a Health4Me plan, you have access to GP visits and optometry benefits, so getting checked out is simple and affordable.
How Health4Me Can Help
If you’re worried about your vision or headaches, you don’t have to deal with it alone or worry about the cost. With Bloom’s Health4Me health insurance plans, getting help is simple, accessible, and affordable.
Here’s how your Health4Me plan can support you:
GP visits
You can visit a doctor to talk about your migraine or vision symptoms, get a proper diagnosis, and receive treatment or advice. These visits are covered across all Health4Me tiers.
Optometry benefits
Depending on your Health4Me plan, an annual eye test and cover for basic frames and lenses are included. This makes it easy to check whether your symptoms are eye-related or migraine-related.
If you’re worried about your vision or headaches, you can see a doctor through your Health4Me cover—often at no extra cost. It’s peace of mind that fits your budget.
Listen to Your Body
Migraine-related vision problems can feel overwhelming, but they’re more common than you might think. Whether it’s flashing lights, blurred vision, or temporary blind spots, these symptoms are your body’s way of saying something’s not quite right.
While they often pass, it’s important to get them checked by a healthcare professional, especially if they’re new, worsening, or lasting longer than usual.
You don’t have to live in discomfort. With Health4Me, getting help is simple and affordable.
Worried about migraines or your vision?
Book a GP visit through your Health4Me plan today or check your optometry benefits now to get an eye test covered.
