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Characteristics of migraine visual aura
L P Queiroz1, A M Rapoport, R E Weeks
1University Hospital, UFSC, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
Headache
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Visual auras (VAs) are complex migraine symptoms. Many patients experience VAs, but not all meet diagnostic criteria for migraine with aura, suggesting a broader spectrum of the condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Migraine with aura (MWA) is a common neurological disorder.
- Visual auras (VAs) are transient neurological symptoms preceding or accompanying migraine headaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features of visual auras in patients with migraine.
- To evaluate how VAs align with diagnostic criteria for MWA.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with migraine with aura.
- Data collected included the frequency, duration, characteristics, and timing of VAs relative to headaches.
Main Results:
- VAs accompanied the first headache in 39% of patients and occurred with every attack in only 19%.
- Most VAs lasted 1-30 minutes, often starting peripherally, with common phenomena including bright dots and flashes.
- A significant portion of patients had VAs that did not strictly meet International Headache Society criteria for MWA.
Conclusions:
- Migraine-associated visual auras are diverse and complex.
- Some patients with migraine exhibit VAs suggestive of MWA, even if they don't fully meet formal diagnostic criteria.