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.

Revue Neurologique
|January 23, 2021
PubMed

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.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
4.1K
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
8.0K
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K
Accessory Structures of the Eye01:17

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
2.8K
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
955
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
831