Summary
Prevalence of glaucoma is not significantly higher in migraine patients. However, migraine causes thinning of retinal layers on OCT that is statistically significant.
Original Article
Glaucoma and optical coherence tomography changes in migraine: A comparative cross-sectional study
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
Panicker, Gayathri; Kaliaperumal, Subashini, Narayan, Sunil; Mani, Malavika
Abstract
Purpose:
To study the prevalence of glaucoma among adults with migraine and the effect of migraine on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and central macular thickness (CMT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) compared to those without migraine headache, i.e. in tension-type headache (TTH) and normal group.
Methods:
One hundred and eleven patients (222 eyes) were recruited in three groups. migraine, TTH, and normal subjects visiting hospital outpatient services. After noting demographic details and pertinent history, ophthalmological evaluation including optic disc for glaucomatous changes along with computerized visual field testing and OCT for pRNFL thickness and CMT was performed in all eyes. Continuous variables were compared using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test, while categorical variables including the association of glaucoma with migraine were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test.
Results:
Prevalence of glaucoma in migraine group (12.2%) was more than in comparison groups (6.8% in TTH, 4.1% in normal) which was however not significant (Fisher’s exact P = 0.207). Average pRNFL thickness (103.59 ± 12.82 μm) and thickness in nasal (90.49 ± 19.19 μm) and temporal quadrants (70.58 ± 16.13 μm) and CMT (213.78 ± 19.81 μm) were significantly reduced (ANOVA P < 0.05) in migraine patients when compared to the other groups and this was independent of the presence of glaucoma.
Conclusion:
Prevalence of glaucoma is not significantly higher in migraine patients. However, migraine causes thinning of retinal layers on OCT that is statistically significant.
We thank Mr. Sandeep and Mr. Ganesh, senior optometrists of Dept of ophthalmology JIPMER for their technical contributions in operating the Cirrus HD OCT and HFA machines.
