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The optometric correlates of migraine
Deacon E Harle1, Bruce J W Evans
1The Institute of Optometry, 56-62 Newington Causeway, London, UK. dharle@ioo.org.uk
Summary
This review explores optometric aspects of migraine, finding stronger evidence linking migraine headaches to pupil anomalies, visual field defects, and pattern glare. Precision-tinted spectacles may help some migraine sufferers by reducing visual stress.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Migraine is a common, chronic, neurovascular disorder with recurrent headaches and potential neurological symptoms like aura.
- Optometric factors have been investigated for their potential relationship with migraine headaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the optometric aspects of migraine headaches.
- To evaluate the evidence linking various optometric factors to migraine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining the relationship between migraine and optometric factors.
- Assessment of the quality of evidence for these relationships.
Main Results:
- Evidence is poor for a link between migraine and refractive errors or binocular vision anomalies.
- Evidence is stronger for a link between migraine and pupil anomalies, visual field defects, and pattern glare.
- A striking association is noted between migraine and pattern glare.
Conclusions:
- While refractive errors and binocular vision issues have weak links to migraine, pupil anomalies, visual field defects, and particularly pattern glare show stronger associations.
- Precision-tinted spectacles show therapeutic potential for some migraine sufferers by mitigating pattern glare and visual stress.