visual migraine and temporal port wine birthmark

I have been diagnosed with visual migraines after suffering with scotomas for about 10mos. The flashing wavy vision occured about once a day for about 20-40 minutes without a headache developing. With medicine (Verapamil) it has decreased in frequency from every day to about 4x's/wk. Traditional treatments for migraine seem to have either little/no effect or cause a horrible headache. I learned through a colleague that sometimes a port wine stain birthmark on the temple can cause CNS symptoms as one gets older (I am a 41 yr. old female.) Once my vision returns to normal I have difficulty focusing both my eyes and my mind. My neurologist ordered an MRI to appease me... and I have not yet gotten results but was wondering if you have any thoughts on visual symptoms such as I described being connected to vascular birthmarks. I also have several floaters which come and go and have since I was a teenager.I have seen an eye Dr. who originally referred me to my Neurologist. I wear glasses for reading only and my eyes are hyper-sensitive to light...I wear sunglasses except on the darkest days, keep my office lights off...and always have been. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you- Sam

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Facial port wine stains can be associated with intra-cranial vascular abnormalities and indicate disease like Sturge-'Weber Disease and Lindell-Von Hippel Disease. This can also cause problems in the eye. Other than that there is no association with migraine.


JCH MD