Doctors discover ophthalmoplegic migraine is not really a migraine

Ophthalmoplegic migraine is an extremely rare condition that was previously thought to be a type of migraine, but doctors discovered that it is actually a nerve problem that affects the eyes.

Doctors have renamed this painful condition, recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON). Muscles in and around the affected eye become weak or paralyzed because of nerve damage or pressure in the eye. The onset of the condition typically beings with one-sided head pain with paralysis that follows.

While doctors are unsure of the cause of RPON, they have identified risk factors which does include those who suffer from migraines or have a family history of migraine, are younger than 10 years of age and are male.

Diagnosing RPON is complicated as there is no single diagnostic test and doctors must rule out other potential conditions.