The Impact of Migraine on Posterior Ocular Structures

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and choroid in patients who have migraines in comparison to healthy controls. Methods. This study included 76 eyes and patients in the migraine group, 36 with aura (MWA group) and 40 without (MWoA group), and 38 eyes as control subjects. The RNFL and macular thicknesses were analysed with standard OCT protocol while choroidal thickness was analysed with EDI protocol in all subjects. Choroidal thickness was measured at the fovea, 1500 µm nasal and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea in a horizontal section. Results. The mean RNFL thickness for nasal and nasal inferior sectors was significantly thinner (P ≤ 0.018) in the migraineurs' eyes than in those of the controls, as was the mean choroid thickness at the fovea and measured points (P < 0.0001). However, the mean macular thickness was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions. This study suggests that migraine leads to a reduction in the peripapillary RNFL thickness and to thinning in choroidal structures. These findings can be explained by a chronic ischemic insult related to migraine pathogenic mechanisms and these findings are considered supportive of the relationship between glaucoma and migraine.

Assessment of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in migraine patients measured with optical coherence tomography

“…Comparison of Cup to disk ratio in migraine patients also showed that this value in migraine patients was significantly lower than standard 0.59 mm 2 (P = 0.03) which was similar to the findings reported by Gandhi et al, Sorkhabi et al, and Demircan et al 13,8,15 …”

Evaluation of retinal nerve fibre layer, ganglion cell layer and choroidal thickness with optical coherence tomography in migraine patients: a case‐control study

“…Another study suggests that migraine leads to a reduction in the peripapillary RNFL thickness and thinning in choroidal structures. These findings can be explained by a chronic ischaemic insult related to migraine pathogenic mechanisms and these findings are considered supportive of the relationship between glaucoma and migraine …”

Choroidal thickness measurements in migraine patients during attack-free period

“…As described previously, the vasogenic theory which viewed migraine as a form of vascular dysregulation assumes that migraine headache was caused by a rebound vasodilation of cranial vessels after a transient vasoconstriction [34]. Concordantly, Demircan et al [35] evaluated the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macula, and choroid in the eyes of migraine patients. They found that the mean RNFL and choroid thickness were significantly thinner in the migraineurs' eyes compared to controls.…”