Eye pressure - migraines

[Royrace]

Hi all

Newbie here! I have just recently discovered that I have high pressure in my left eye (38) and currently waiting further tests for glaucoma etc.

I have also suffered from aura migraines all my life. But over the last year or so they have become much more severe and have mimicked stroke like symptoms. I was just wondering if this is coincidence or whether there is a connection between high pressure in the eye and migraine??

My doctors don’t seem sure but wouldn’t rule it out. I thought it would be interesting to see if anyone else on here has experienced this?

Thanks in advance

[Hidden]

Hi Royrace welcome to site. I also have had aura migraines since I was a teenager which actually declined once I had my son. The year prior to diagnosis I had a constant low grade headaches that nothing would shift and several times when doing yoga class I ended up again with really severe migraines.I had narrow angle glaucoma and my headaches and migraines were pressure related and my consultant said would have only got worse if I hadn't received treatment. My pressure at its highest was 27.

I had cataract ops on both my eyes not to improve my sight as the cataracts were only beginning but to open up the angles in my eyes. Since my pressure has dropped I haven't personally had a single migraine and no longer have constant headaches .

Good luck with your tests and outcome.

[Royrace in reply to Hidden]

This is so reassuring!! I have been suffering with headaches about 3-4 times per week over the last 6 months as well as a constant pressure headache which I thought may be sinus related. It’s only since my eye test last week that I have made the connection with that! I’m now hoping that once the pressure is controlled and the effects of acetazolamide have worn off I will be feeling like my old self again!! You’ve given me a light at the end of this tunnel! Thank you so much!! Can I also ask you, did you ever see your heart beat in the corner of your eye? I have also had this for the last 9 months or so but the doctor just seems to dismiss this as a symptom?

[Hidden in reply to Royrace]

I never associated my headaches with eye pressure either, I had just accepted I would always be prone to headaches. It was during a routine eye test my glaucoma was actually picked up but I do actually have sight loss in both eyes, which I also was unaware of.I hope once your pressure has stabilised and as you say side effects worn off you will be back to you again.

Heart beat in corner of eye is not a symptom I have experienced.

Constant headaches definitely wear you down, I never realised how rubbish I was actually constantly feeling until they stopped, it was wonderful. You will get there too.

[Stairs10 in reply to Royrace]

I have heard some one else who said she sees her heart beat. And That the ophthalmologist wasn't sure what that was about. But please mention it at your hospital appointment. It sounds odd but tell them in case it triggers them to do a different type of investigation. All the best

[Pete_uk]

Any pressures above mid 30s and I tend to get headaches that can make me feel a little nauseous also.

'seeing' my heartbeat is something I have always had and seems to relate to my blood pressure and pulse. I've asked a few consultants in the past and they all tend to dismiss it, with only one commenting it is probably blood pressure related.

[Hidden]

I would just like to say welcome to the group. I can’t answer your questions as I don’t get any of those symptoms. I was diagnosed in December last year with open angle glaucoma so just trying to come to terms with it all. Just want to say keep in touch with everyone on here they are a great group of people. I’ve made lots of online friends. Let us know how you get on with appointment

[Wales99]

Hi Royrace - I used to get horrendous migraines after exercise and it took me four years to get a diagnosis for glaucoma. They won’t 💯 say that there is a relation but logically I think there must be - mine have improved with Glaucoma meds and recently had got worse again. When I went back to the consultant- my pressure had gone up. It seems logical to me that if eye pressure goes up it gives you a headache.

[Beecalmed]

Hello! Yes! I have had aura migraines since I was a teenager. The auras always start in the same place just above my point of vision in my right eye and spread to both eyes till I have lost most vision. Interestingly although I was only diagnosed with open angle glaucoma in both eyes in 2018 I had been saying to my previous optician that my aura in my right eye seemed to be “lingering” after the migraines and I thought I had a tiny twinkly hole in my vision as though a migraine was just about to start. As nothing came up in my checks and my IOP never went above 18 my optician said they’d just keep an eye on it. By the time I was diagnosed 2 years later I had already lost central vision in my right eye. I’ve long thought maybe there might be a link between the two. My consultants said there might be but didn’t seem that convinced. Interestingly I generally have low-ish blood pressure and a very low resting heart rate. My IOP however is high.

[Wales99 in reply to Beecalmed]

Same thing happened to me. Four years before they diagnosed Glaucoma. I too have lost some central vision in my right eye. I also have low blood pressure & low resting heart rate. My silly eye pressure won’t stay down though so I’m due to have a Trab in June.

[Greyflow3r]

Hi Royrace /everyone, I’ve just been diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes and have had migraines for years becoming more severe in the last year and a half. I’ve not had the link confirmed but it makes sense to me. Waiting on a letter for day surgery for ALT laser treatment. I’m 48.