context: Many people who get migraines also have problems with their vision as well as dizziness or vertigo along with the headaches. These effects can be scary and troubling. But they usually get much better or even disappear with treatment. Lifestyle changes, medications, and complementary therapies can help migraines and their related symptoms. About 1 in 4 people who suffer from migraines will get an aura, which often includes visual symptoms: Blind spots Flashing lights Spots of light Wavy lines in your field of vision Vision problems usually start 20 minutes to an hour before the headache. Even if you don't get an aura, the headache itself may cause vision trouble. A retinal migraine causes a variety of visual symptoms, possibly blindness in one eye, before and during the headache. Fortunately, these problems go away with it, but permanent vision loss may be a complication of this type of migraine. Other serious conditions, such as optic nerve problems or a tear in the immediately to rule them out. Migraines are one of the leading causes of dizziness. About one-fourth of the people in the U. S. who have migraines get this uncomfortable symptom. Dizziness and vertigo are more common when you have migraines with aura. You may feel lightheaded or unsteady -- vertigo makes it seem like the room is spinning. It may happen before or at the same time as the headache. Sometimes you won't get a headache at all. The symptoms may last anywhere from a few seconds to days. The sensations are actually related to your inner ear. In fact, some people who have vertigo with their migraines also have other ear and hearing problems such as sound sensitivity and ringing in their ears. A basilar-type migraine, what doctors call migraine with brainstem aura ( MBA), is the most likely to cause vertigo. It's also likely to cause ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and coordination difficulties. Some people who have migraine-related vertigo don't get this symptom until several years after their headache episodes begin. Doctors have a hard time diagnosing vertigo caused by migraine. That's because people who have these headaches often have other conditions that may cause dizziness, too, including anxiety, and low blood pressure related to their body position. Many people can lessen or get rid of their headache and its problems by changing their daily habits: Avoid trigger foods, including chocolate, peanuts, and red wine. Stop smoking. Lower your stress level. Get regular exercise. No surefire medication will work for everyone who gets migraines. But you have options that, alone or in combination, can relieve the headaches and associated vision issues, dizziness, and vertigo. Some prescriptions block migraines before they start. Amitriptyline, an antidepressant Topiramate, a seizure medication Verapamil, also used for high blood pressure, chest pain, and irregular heart rhythm Erenumab ( Aimovig), a CGRP Inhibitor that blocks the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide molecules Your doctor may prescribe drugs called triptans, including sumatriptan and rizatriptan, to stop migraines before they become full-blown. There are a couple of devices designed to short-circuit a migraine by turning on your brain in a particular way. A device called Spring TMS uses a technique called a transcranial magnetic stimulation ( TMS). Place it on the back of your head for about a minute for release of a pulse of magnetic energy. Similarly, Cefaly uses transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation and is worn as a headband on the forehead and turned on daily for 20 minutes to prevent migraine from developing. There is also a noninvasive vagus nerve stimulator called gamma Core. When placed over the vagus nerve in the neck, it releases a mild electrical stimulation to the nerve's fibers to relieve pain. You'll need a prescription for any of these gadgets, too. Both prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen, may give you relief from the migraine's effects. Biofeedback and acupuncture can help you manage your stress as well as headache pain and other sensations.