Diagnosis

Your doctor might diagnose the migraine with aura based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family history, and a physical exam.

If your aura isn't followed by head pain, your doctor might recommend certain tests to rule out more-serious conditions, such as a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Assessments might include:

• An eye examination. A thorough eye exam, done by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist), can help rule out eye problems that might be causing visual symptoms.
• Head computerized tomography (CT) scan. This X-ray technique produces detailed images of your brain.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This diagnostic imaging procedure produces images of your internal organs, including your brain.

Your doctor might refer you to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders (neurologist) to rule out brain conditions that could be causing your symptoms.