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Headache associated with refractive errors: Characteristics and risk factors
H Lajmi1, R Choura1, B Ben Achour1
1Internal Security Forces Hospital, rue Mohamed Fadhel Ben Achour, 2078, Marsa Safsaf, Tunis, Tunisie.
Insights
Headaches associated with refractive errors (HARE) significantly impact quality of life, often linked to prolonged screen time and specific vision issues. Prompt optical correction and managing risk factors fully resolve these headaches.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Headaches associated with refractive errors (HARE) are a common but often overlooked condition.
- Understanding the characteristics and risk factors of HARE is crucial for effective management.
- The impact of HARE on patients' quality of life requires thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize headaches associated with refractive errors (HARE).
- To identify correlations between HARE characteristics and specific risk factors.
- To evaluate the impact of HARE on patients' quality of life and the effectiveness of treatment.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 90 patients with HARE and a control group.
- Analysis of HARE characteristics, including duration, frequency, type, and location.
- Assessment of risk factors such as profession, triggers, ametropia type, and orthoptic abnormalities, alongside quality of life using the HIT-6 score.
Main Results:
- HARE were predominantly chronic, progressive, daily, and occurred in the latter half of the day.
- Prolonged screen work, combined ametropias, moderate hyperopia, and astigmatism were identified as significant risk factors.
- A substantial impact on quality of life was observed in 68% of patients, influenced by high myopia. Treatment resulted in 100% improvement.
Conclusions:
- HARE significantly affects quality of life and necessitates treatment focused on risk factor management.
- Adequate refractive error correction and lifestyle adjustments are vital for managing HARE, particularly in children.
- Treating oculomotor abnormalities contributes to improved long-term outcomes for HARE patients.
Introduction:
The purpose of our work was to study the characteristics of Headache associated with refractive errors (HARE)1, and to search for the correlation between headaches characteristics and some risk factors. We aimed also to assess the impact of these headaches on the quality of life of patients.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, retrospective, comparative study including 90 patients followed between August 2019 and January 2020. These patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 including patients presenting headaches due to uncorrected ametropia, and group 2 including control subjects. We studied HARE characteristics, the influence of certain risk factors (profession, triggers factors, characteristics of ametropia, and orthoptic abnormalities) on them, their evolution after one month of treatment, and their impact on patients' quality of life with the HIT-6 score.
Results:
Headaches due to ametropia were mainly chronic (20.9±15.76 months on average) progressive (100% of cases), daily (90% of cases) predominantly during the second half of the day (82% of cases). They were moderate (64% of cases), with a fronto-orbital topography in 52% of cases. Headaches were compression-type in 36% of cases (18 patients) and pressure-type in 64% (32 patients). The multivariate study retained prolonged screen working (P=0.013), combined ametropias (P=0.001), moderate hyperopia (P=0.01) and astigmatism (P=0.03) to be risk factors of HARE. Headaches induced a substantial to major impact on the quality of life in 68% (34 patients had a score greater than 55), the latter is significantly influenced by the presence of high myopia. After optical correction and orthoptic treatment, we noted an improvement in headache in 100% of cases. The multivariate analysis did not identify any independent factor that impact the evolution of headache at one month.
Conclusion:
HARE may influence life quality; it needs an appropriate treatment based on risk factor management. A healthy lifestyle in addition to adequate refractive error correction is essential in children and, sometimes in adults. Oculomotor abnormalities treatment leads to improve long term results.
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