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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Topographical analysis of the optic nerve in migraine patients
Terry D Moehnke1, Joseph Sowka, Josephine Shallo-Hoffmann
1College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. moehnke@nova.edu
Purpose:
Vascular dysfunction appears related to the development of migraines and has been associated with pressure-independent glaucoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate possible topographical differences in the optic nerve between migraine sufferers and normal age-matched control subjects. The identification of optic disc topographical differences between migraine and non-migraine sufferers may help clinicians determine if the presence of migraine influences the development and progression of glaucoma.
Methods:
Sixty consecutively seen patient-volunteers (30 subjects in migraine group: mean age 37.7 years, range from 19 to 66 years, 28 females and 2 males; 30 subjects in the control group: mean age 37.6 years, range from 19 to 61 years, 29 females and 1 male) were categorized as either migraine patients or control group subjects. All migraine subjects had been medically diagnosed with a migraine syndrome and were being treated with prophylactic medication. Optic nerve head topographical analysis was performed using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The data was evaluated using generalized estimating equations, a priori and post hoc power analysis.
Results:
No significant differences were found in any of the optic nerve parameters examined between the two groups.
Conclusions:
This study indicates that the optic nerve parameters as measured by the Heidelberg retinal tomograph II do not differ between migraine sufferers and age-matched control subjects.
