Retinal nerve fibre layer, ganglion cell layer and choroid thinning in migraine with aura

Retinal neural tissue and vascular calibres in migraine: the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Eye Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the possible effects of migraine on retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL), macular thickness and retinal arteriolar and venular diameters (CRAE, CRVE) in a population-based birth cohort.

METHODS

375 migraineurs and 1489 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional cohort study. RNFL, GC-IPL and macular thickness parameters were measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), and vascular parameters were measured from fundus photographs. Migraine was determined by a questionnaire and specific features were selected as covariates (gender, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, refraction and diabetes).

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between healthy controls and migraineurs in average RNFL (p = 0.123), macular (p = 0.488) or GC-IPL (p = 0.437) thickness. Migraine did not have a significant effect on any of the macular or GC-IPL subfields. For RNFL subfields, only temporal inferior was borderline significantly increased in migraineurs (p = 0.039) in adjusted results. No statistically significant differences were found between study groups on retinal vascular calibres CRAE (p = 0.879), CRVE (p = 0.145) or AVR (p = 0.259). GC-IPL thickness was found to be positively correlated with CRAE and CRVE in both study groups as GC-IPL thickness increased together with the increase in CRAE and CRVE (p-trend < 0.001 in both), and a similar trend was detected with central macular subfield thickness and systolic (p-trend < 0.001) and diastolic (p-trend = 0.010) blood pressure, but only in the control group.

CONCLUSION

There were no remarkable differences between migraineurs and healthy controls in retinal vascular or structural parameters in our study.

Migraine eye: correlation between migraine and the retina

Background

Activation of the trigeminal vascular system in migraine releases vasoactive neurotransmitters, causing abnormal vasoconstriction, which may affect the ocular system, leading to retinal damage. The purpose of our study was to determine whether there are differences in each retinal layer between migraine patients and healthy subjects.

Methods

A case-control study recruited 38 migraine patients and 38 age- and sex-matched controls. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the thickness of the peripapillary and macular retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL and mRNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and inner nuclear layer (INL).

Results

The mean ages of the migraine patients and controls were 36.29 ± 9.45 and 36.45 ± 9.27 years, respectively. Thirty-four patients (89.48%) in both groups were female. The mean disability score was 19.63 ± 20.44 (indicating severe disability). The superior-outer INL of migraine patients were thicker than controls. Thickness of the GCL at temporal-outer sector and mRNFL at the superior-outer sector of the headache-side eyes was reduced. However, the INL of the headache-side-eye showed negative correlation with the disability score. This is the first study having found thinning of the GCL and mRNFL of the headache-side eyes. The INL was also thickened in migraines but showed negative correlation with the disability score.

Conclusions

Increased INL thickness in migraine patients may result from inflammation. The more severe cases with a high disability score might suffered progressive retinal neuronal loss, resulting in thinner INL than less severe cases.

Optical coherence tomography findings in primary headache disorders: is pain duration a clinical correlate?

OBJECTIVE

Ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT) may be used as a potential marker for central neural changes. We compared GCLT by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with primary headache disorders and healthy controls. We seek whether there was any difference between the headache groups and whether any clinical parameters correlated to GCLT.

METHODS

Fifty-three primary headache patients, 11 age and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in this cross-sectional study after power analysis. All subjects underwent SD-OCT. The duration of disorder, headache frequency, severity, duration of pain, presence of ocular pain, and accompanying symptoms have been collected.

RESULTS

Mean GCLT of the headache group was 15.7 ± 3.8 µm (mean ± standard deviation), and the control group was 17.5 ± 2.4. The difference was not statistically significant. When we compared the controls, migraine and tension-type headache patients' GCLT values, we found a significant difference (ANOVA, p = 0.001). Migraine patients had thinner GCLT compared to all non-migraine headache patients (p = 0.01). Intraocular pressure values of migraine patients and non-migraine patients were not statistically significantly different (p = 0.13). The only clinical parameter that correlated with GCLT was pain duration (r = -0.43 and p = 0.01). The patients with white matter lesions had thinner GCLT (p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that not long-term suffering from pain but migraine pathophysiology itself seems to affect neuroretinal tissue. Pain duration was moderately and inversely correlated to GCLT, meaning that the longer the headache, the thinner the ganglion cell layer is.

Using optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography to delineate neurovascular homeostasis in migraine: a review

Migraine is one of the world's most debilitating disorders, and it has recently been shown that changes in the retina can be a potential biomarker for the disease. These changes can be detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT), which measures retinal thickness, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), which measures vessel density. We searched the databases Google Scholar, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies in English using OCT and OCTA in migraineurs, using the search terms "optical coherence tomography," "OCT," "optical coherence tomography angiography," "OCTA" and "migraine." We found 73 primary studies, 11 reviews, and 8 meta-analyses pertaining to OCT and OCTA findings in migraineurs. They showed that migraineurs had reduced retinal thickness (via OCT), retinal vessel density, and greater foveal avascular zone area (via OCTA) than controls. OCTA changes reflect a perfusion compromise occurring in migraineurs as opposed to in healthy controls. OCT and OCTA deficits were worse in migraine-with-aura and chronic migraine than in migraine-without-aura and episodic migraine. Certain areas of the eye, such as the fovea, may be more vulnerable to these perfusion changes than other parts. Direct comparison between study findings is difficult because of the heterogeneity between the studies in terms of both methodology and analysis. Moreover, as almost all case-control studies were cross-sectional, more longitudinal cohort studies are needed to determine cause and effect between migraine pathophysiology and OCT/OCTA findings. Current evidence suggests both OCT and OCTA may serve as retinal markers for migraineurs, and further research in this field will hopefully enable us to better understand the vascular changes associated with migraine, perhaps also providing a new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker.

Reduction in retinal microvascular perfusion during migraine attacks

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there are changes in structure and function of the retinal vasculature during and between migraine attacks using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

BACKGROUND

Migraine attacks commonly include visual symptoms, but the potential role of the retina in these symptoms is not well understood. OCTA is a rapid, non-invasive imaging technique that is used to visualize the retinal microvasculature with high spatial resolution in a clinical setting. In this study we used OCTA to quantify different features of the retinal vasculature in patients with migraine during and between attacks, as well as in healthy controls (HCs).

METHODS

We performed a prospective cohort study of 37 patients with migraine with aura (MA) (median [interquartile range, IQR] age of 37 [14] years, 86% female) and 30 with migraine without aura (MO) (median [IQR] age of 37 [17] years, 77% female) and 20 HCs (median [IQR] age of 35 [7] years, 50% female). Macular OCTA scans were obtained for all participants for the interictal analysis. In 12 MA and eight MO, scans were captured both during and outside of migraine attacks and five HCs had initial and repeat scans. In addition to analyzing the morphology of the foveal avascular zone, we calculated the vessel flux index (VFI), which is an indicator of retinal perfusion and conventional metrics (such as vessel area density) in the foveal and parafoveal regions.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the parafoveal VFI in the ictal state between the groups (p = 0.009). During migraine attacks there was a significant reduction in the parafoveal region VFI in MA (-7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -10% to -4%; p = 0.006) and MO (-7%, 95% CI -10% to -3%; p = 0.016) from their interictal baseline as compared to the change between repeat scans in HCs (2%, 95% CI -3% to 7%). Interictally, there was a mean (standard deviation [SD]) 13% (10%) (p = 0.003) lower blood perfusion in the MA group as compared to the MO group in the foveal region (mean [SD] 0.093 [0.023] vs. 0.107 [0.021], p = 0.003). Interictal analysis also revealed higher circularity in the superficial foveal avascular zone in the MA group compared with the MO group (mean [SD] 0.686 [0.088] vs. 0.629 [0.120], p = 0.004). In addition, interictal analysis of the patients with MA or MO and unilateral headache showed increased retinal vascular parameters consistent with greater perfusion in the eye ipsilateral to the side of the pain as compared with the contralateral eye.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that perfusion is reduced in MA and MO in the parafoveal retina during the ictal period. Interictally, the foveal retina in MA has reduced perfusion when compared to the foveal retina in MO. Patients with unilateral headache showed interictal asymmetry of retinal perfusion between eyes. These results indicate that changes in retinal perfusion could be a part of migraine pathophysiology, and that distinct retinal vascular signatures identified with OCTA could represent biomarkers for migraine.

Evaluation of the choroidal vascular index and choroidal changes in migraine subgroups

PURPOSE

To investigate binarized choroidal structural parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and retina changes duringattack-free periods in patients with migraine using enhanced depth imaging optic coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), and compare patients with migraine with aura and without aura (MwA and MoA, respectively) and aura subgroups (visual aura, non-visual aura), with age and sex-matched healthy subjects.

METHOD

This observational, prospective study included 102 patients with migraine and 36 healthy controls. Central macular thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and choroidal thickness (CT) were measured using a Spectralis OCT device. The choroid vascularity index (CVI) was evaluated using the Image-J software. CVI was calculated as the proportion of the luminal area (LA) to the total choroidal area (TCA). RNFL, CMT, CT, and CVI measurements were compared statistically.

RESULTS

Choroidal thickness at 1500 µm temporal of the fovea was found to be statistically significantly thinner in the MwA and MoA groups compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.01). There was a significant difference in the subfoveal CT values of the MwA and control groups (p < 0.05). The mean RNFL thickness of patients with migraine with visual aura was found to be statistically significantly thinner than in the migraine group with non-visual aura (98.73 ± 8.4 and 109.4 ± 16.8) (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the RNFL CMT, GCC, and CVI values in the MwA, MoA, and control groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We found that the choroidal thickness was significantly decreased in patients with migraine, especially in the MwA group. In the visual aura subgroup, the mean RNFL thickness was significantly decreased compared with the non-visual aura subgroup.

Choroidal thickness in eyes of migraine patients measured using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography: A meta-analysis

Recent developments in high-resolution optical coherence tomography allow evaluation of even the slightest changes of choroidal thickness in various disorders, including migraine. In this review, we analyze the choroidal thickness measurements reported in various studies that compare results between migraineurs and healthy individuals. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE to identify relevant literature reporting choroidal thickness in the migraineurs' different macular regions compared with healthy controls. A fixed-effects or random-effects model was applied for the meta-analysis based on the heterogeneity level. Moreover, subgroup analyses, meta-regression, publication bias, and quality assessment were also performed. We identified ten studies involving 580 migraineurs (173 with aura, 128 without aura, and 279 without specification for the presence of aura) and 407 healthy controls to be included in this meta-analysis. Results indicated that average choroidal thickness was significantly decreased in the migraine cases (SMD, -1.28; 95% CI, -2.47 to -0.08; P = 0.04) compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, both with aura (SMD, -1.16; 95% CI, -1.39 to -0.92; P < 0.0001) and without aura migraine patients (SMD, -0.81; 95% CI, -1.28 to -0.34; P < 0.001) had significantly thinner subfoveal choroid compared to healthy controls. Moreover, subfoveal choroidal thickness in the migraineurs with aura was significantly lower than those without aura (SMD, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.84 to -0.05; P = 0.03). The alterations in choroidal thickness, suggestive of migraine's neurovascular pathophysiology, were tentatively confirmed by this study's findings. Further longitudinal studies with more diverse settings are required to derive more definitive conclusions.

Decrease Retinal Thickness in Patients with Chronic Migraine Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography

The purpose of this study is to determine the possible alterations that may occur in the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and macular thickness in patients with chronic migraines compared with healthy controls. Hence, we examined some of the possibilities that are offered by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to study different neurological diseases and to study its application, in this case, how it may be applied to patients with chronic migraines. This was an observational cross-sectional study in adults aged 18-65 years. The study group consisted of 90 patients (90 eyes) with chronic migraines who met the inclusion criteria, and 90 healthy controls (90 eyes) matched for age and sex. Retinal thickness was measured by spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT). The thickness of the superior quadrant of the peripapillary RNFL, as well as the mean thickness in the macula, RNFL macular, and GCL was significantly thinner in chronic migraine patients than in healthy controls (p ≤ 0.05). Chronic migraines are associated with a decrease in retinal thickness which is detectable by an OCT diagnostic technique. The quantification of the axonal damage could be used as a biomarker to help in the diagnosis and monitoring of this pathology. Further studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

The potential impact of migraine headache on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness

Background

Migraine is a common, chronic, multifactorial neurovascular disorder. It may result in hypoperfusion of other areas other than the brain, as the eye. It may lead to change of the retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL) thickness and axonal loss even up to severe damage of the eye structures, including the retina with frequent headache attacks. This study aimed to quantify the thickness of RNFL which gives a good idea about the condition of axons and loss of ganglion cells in migraine patients. Also, to detect if there is any correlation between these measurements and clinical characteristics of migraine.

Results

The RNFL thickness was significantly thinner in patients with migraine compared to healthy controls in all quadrants of retina in both sides (p value < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in RNFL thickness in migraine patients with aura compared to patients without aura in all retinal quadrants in both sides (p value > 0.05). The headache intensity was negatively correlated with RNFL thickness in the inferior (r = − 0.342, P = 0.031) and nasal (r = − 0.349, P = 0.027) quadrants on LT side, also there was a significant positive correlation between RNFL thickness and both of nausea and tolerability in the RT superior quadrant (r = 0.467, P = 0.002); (r = 0.322, P = 0.043), respectively, but there was no significant correlation found between the RNFL thickness and disability, attacks duration, disease duration and frequency in all retinal quadrants on both sides (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The main conclusion of our work was that RNFL thickness was significantly affected in migraine patients in comparison to healthy controls, but there were no significant impact of the migraine characteristics including aura, severity, frequency, or duration of headache attacks on RNFL thickness.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Analysis in Children With Migraine With and Without Aura Using Optical Coherence Tomography: A Case-Control Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children with migraine, with and without aura, compared to healthy controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional case-control study, patients with a diagnosis of migraine with aura (MwA) or without aura (MwoA) were considered and healthy children were included as controls. Age, sex, duration of migraine, number of episodes per month, duration of episodes, and use of prophylactic treatment with magnesium were recorded. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic, neurologic, and pediatric examination. Optic nerve OCT images were obtained using Heidelberg Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering) and mean global RNFL thickness and the average thickness for each sector were noted.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven children were included: 17 with migraine (9 MwoA and 8 MwA) and 20 controls, the mean age being 13.8 ± 2.9 (range: 8 to 16) and 13.4 ± 2.5 (range: 7 to 16) years, respectively. No significant differences in RNFL thickness were found when comparing all patients who had migraine with healthy controls. However, children with MwA showed statistically significant reductions in RNFL thickness in the temporal (mean difference: 7.83; 95% CI: 0.52 to 15.14, P = .027) and inferior-temporal (mean difference: 16.06; 95% CI: 1.95 to 30.16, P = .027) sectors compared to patients with MwoA. None of the other sectors showed statistically significant differences between groups (all P > .05). In the migraine group, negative correlations were detected between the number of episodes per month and RNFL thickness in the nasal-superior quadrant (r = -.420; P = .021).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with MwA may present a decrease in RNFL thickness, which is associated with the number of episodes per month. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 20XX;X(X):XX-XX.].

Evaluation of retinal microvasculature and foveal avascular zone by the optical coherence tomography angiography in pediatric migraine patients

To compare the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), macular and peripapillary vessel density and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between pediatric migraine patients and healthy subjects. A total of 108 eyes of 54 children with migraine without aura and 94 eyes of 47 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were included. Capillary vessel density (CVD) in superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) retinal capillary plexus, peripapillary region, FAZ, and RNFL thickness were analyzed by optical coherence tomography-angiography. The mean ages were 12.4 ± 3.3 years (range 6-18) in patients with migraine and 12.6 ± 2.9 years (range 5-18) in healthy controls (p = 0.742). The mean FAZ area measured 0.27 ± 0.09 mm² in the pediatric migraineurs and 0.26 ± 0.09 mm² in healthy controls (p = 0.53). There was no significant difference in any measurement of SCP, DCP, peripapillary CVD, and RNFL thickness between study groups (p > 0.05 for all). The pediatric migraine disability assessment test (PedMIDAS) negatively correlated with some of the CVD and RNFL measurements in pediatric migraine patients (p < 0.05). The macular and peripapillary microvasculature were not significantly different during an attack-free period in pediatric migraine patients than in healthy subjects.

The eye in migraine: a review of retinal imaging findings in migraine

Migraine is a common headache disorder with neurovascular involvement. Because eyecare practitioners are likely to encounter people with migraine in their everyday practice, it is important to understand how migraine might impact on ocular health. In this narrative review, we provide an update on the latest ophthalmic imaging evidence for retinal involvement in migraine, derived from studies of retinal structure and retinal vascular perfusion using spectral domain and swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. Combined structural OCT evidence from a recent meta-analysis indicates subtle and non-specific thinning of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in people with migraine, whereas there is little consistent evidence for structural abnormalities of the macular region. Recent advances in OCT angiography technology have also provided an opportunity to visualise microstructural damage and vascular dysregulation in the eyes of people with migraine. However, given that OCT and OCT angiography studies have been exclusively cross-sectional, it is not possible to demonstrate the causal effect of migraine events. Furthermore, the lack of common methodology (different ophthalmic imaging devices and analysis algorithms), and very limited datasets (small samples, heterogenous migraine groups), lead to an inability to make strong conclusions regarding the nature of altered retinal structure and vascular perfusion in migraine. Nevertheless, we discuss the clinical implications of such observations for eyecare practitioners and provide practical advice for the monitoring and management of patients with a history of migraine.

Is ocular vascularity affected in young migraine patients? A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate ocular vascularity in young adult migraine patients with visual aura and without visual aura.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 30 patients with migraine with visual aura (MWVA), 30 patients with migraine without visual aura (MWOVA), and 30 healthy control subjects, all between ages ≥18 and <45. Migraine patients were applied Headache Impact Test (HIT) and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and ocular vascularity of all participants were evaluated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA).

RESULTS

The MWVA group had significantly lower superficial and deep foveal vascular density values compared to the control group (p = 0.039, p = 0.028, respectively). The foveal avascular zone was significantly enlarged in the MWVA group compared to the control group (p = 0.033). MWVA patients had significantly lower whole optic disc, optic disc inside, peripapillary, superior hemisphere, inferior hemisphere, superior quadrant, and temporal quadrant vascular density values compared to the control group (p < 0.05 all), while there was no significant difference in the nasal quadrant (p = 0.083). Migraine attack frequency, MIDAS, and HIT were negatively correlated with ocular vascular density values.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that young adult patients with MWVA are at risk of decreased ocular vascularity and that this risk may increase with frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Assessment of the choroidal thickness, central macular vascular and optic disk perfusion in migraine patients with optical coherence tomography angiography

BACKGROUND

Comparing the central choroidal thickness (CCT) and the perfusion of the macula and optic disk in patients with migraine and control group participants using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

A total of 38 patients diagnosed with migraine and 32 healthy controls were recruited. OCTA scans were performed on all participants. Optic disk, central macular vascular perfusions, and CCT were measured.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight eyes of 38 participants (34 female and 4 male) in the migraine group and 32 eyes of 32 participants (19 female and 13 male) in the healthy control (HC) group were evaluated. The mean age was 42.74 ± 8.14 and 43.09 ± 14.28 years in the migraine group and HC group, respectively. The mean CCT were 314 ± 103 μm and 301 ± 71 μm in the migraine and HC group, respectively (p = 0.54). The mean optic disk perfusions were 44.77 ± 1.93% and 45.25 ± 1.43% in migraine and HC group, respectively (p = 0.25). The mean central macular vascular perfusions were 20.50 ± 8.20% and 18.65 ± 7.46% in migraine and HC group, respectively (p = 0.32). There was a significant negative correlation between CCT and the duration of migraine history (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The macular and peripapillary microvasculature were not significantly different in patients with migraine than in HC. As the duration of migraine prolonged, a significant decrease in choroidal thickness was observed.

Comparison of retinal nerve fiber layer, macular ganglion cell complex and choroidal thickness in patients with migraine with and without aura by using optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUND

We compared the choroidal thickness (CT), peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFLT) and macular ganglion cell complex thickness (mGCCT) by using spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with migraine with aura (MWA), migraine without aura (MWoA), and healthy controls.

METHODS

Thirty-seven patients with MWA, 40 patients with MWoA, and age and sex-matched 50 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. CTs at fovea, nasal to fovea and temporal to fovea, global pRNFLT, four quadrants of pRNFLTs, mGCCTs in superior and inferior hemisphere were measured by SD-OCT. The duration of migraine, monthly attack number and the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire scores were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean foveal CT, nasal CT, and temporal CT in patients with MWA were significantly thinner than those of patients with MWoA and control (p < 0.001) while CTs of patients with MWoA were similar with those of controls. Patients with MWA and MWoA had thinner global pRNFLT, superior and inferior pRNFLT compared to controls but there were no significant differences between two migraineurs groups. Only nasal quadrant of pRNFLT was significantly thinner in patients with MWA than other groups. The superior and inferior mGCCTs were significantly thinner in patients with MWA and MWoA than controls.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that dysregulation of blood flow in ocular tissues caused by impairment of autoregulation in migraine. Patients with MWA might have an additional risk of choroidal and retinal ischemia than patients with MWoA and healthy controls.

Retinal nerve fiber layer changes in migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Migraine is one of the most common disabling diseases in the world. Its recurrent attacks may lead to abnormalities in the structure of the brain and retina. An increasing number of studies have investigated retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness alterations in migraine by the optical coherence tomography (OCT); however, no consensus has yet reached.

METHOD

We searched Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify studies that investigated RNFL thickness in migraine by OCT measurement and performed a meta-analysis of eligible studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 1530 migraine patients and 1105 healthy controls. The mean RNFL thickness was thinner in the migraine group compared to the control group (SMD =- 0.53). In the subgroup analyses, RNFL thickness were decreased most significantly in the superior (SMD = - 0.71) and inferior (SMD = - 0.63) quadrants among all quadrants. Migraine with aura (SMD = - 0.91) showed a greater effect size of RNFL thickness reduction than migraine without aura (SMD =- 0.47). Spectral-domain OCT (SMD = - 0.55) seems more sensitive to detect RNFL thickness reduction than time-domain OCT (SMD = - 0.44). In addition, age, sex, disease duration, attack frequency, and intraocular pressure were not significantly associated with RNFL thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from our comprehensive meta-analysis with large datasets strengthen the clinical evidence of the RNFL thickness reduction in migraine. RNFL thickness via spectral-domain OCT measurement demonstrates the potential role in differentiating patients with migraine, especially migraine with aura, from healthy controls.

Retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer changes using optical coherence tomography in patients with chronic migraine: a case-control study

Background

Migraine is a prevalent, chronic, and multifactorial neurovascular disease.

Objectives

Our work aimed to investigate if the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness are affected in patients with chronic migraine to improve the understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of migraine.

Subjects and methods

A case-control study conducted on 30 patients with chronic migraine and 30 aged and sex-matched healthy controls. Subjects underwent full neurological and ophthalmological history, ophthalmological examination, and measuring RNFL and GCL thickness using the spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Results

RNFL thinning (average, superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) was significantly more in patients with chronic migraine than healthy control (P = 0.001, 0.022, 0.045, 0.034, and 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between chronic migraine patients and healthy controls regarding GCL thickness (average, superior, and inferior) (P value ˃ 0.05).

The average RNFL thickness was significantly thinner in migraine with aura (MwA) than migraine without aura (MwoA) (P = 0.006). The average GCL thickness was thinner in MwA than MwoA (P = 0.039). No statistically significant difference was found between the eyes on the side of the headache and the eyes of the contralateral side regarding RNFL and GCL thickness (P value ˃ 0.05). Age at onset, disease duration, headache frequency, and headache intensity showed an insignificant correlation with OCT parameters.

Conclusion

Retinal changes could be an association with chronic migraine that may be used as a biomarker.

Physiological changes in retinal layers thicknesses measured with swept source optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To evaluate the physiological changes related with age of all retinal layers thickness measurements in macular and peripapillary areas in healthy eyes.

METHODS

Wide protocol scan (with a field of view of 12x9 cm) from Triton SS-OCT instrument (Topcon Corporation, Japan) was performed 463 heathy eyes from 463 healthy controls. This protocol allows to measure the thickness of the following layers: Retina, Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), Ganglion cell layer (GCL +), GCL++ and choroid. In those layers, mean thickness was compared in four groups of ages: Group 1 (71 healthy subjects aged between 20 and 34 years); Group 2 (65 individuals aged 35-49 years), Group 3 (230 healthy controls aged 50-64 years) and Group 4 (97 healthy subjects aged 65-79 years).

RESULTS

The most significant thinning of all retinal layers occurs particularly in the transition from group 2 to group 3, especially in temporal superior quadrant at RNFL, GCL++ and retinal layers (p≤0.001), and temporal superior, temporal inferior, and temporal half in choroid layer (p<0.001). Curiously group 2 when compared with group 1 presents a significant thickening of RNFL in temporal superior quadrant (p = 0.001), inferior (p<0.001) and temporal (p = 0.001) halves, and also in nasal half in choroid layer (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Excepting the RNFL, which shows a thickening until the third decade of life, the rest of the layers seem to have a physiological progressive thinning.

Evaluation of retinal vessel density and choriocapillaris flow in migraine patients with and without aura

PURPOSE

Migraine is thought to be a neurovascular disorder and increases the likelyhood to develop ischemic complications. Studies have shown that vascular disorders such as ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal artery and vein obstructions are more common in patients with migraine. This study aimed to evaluate the differences between retinal and optic disc microvasculature between migraine patients with and without aura and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with migraine and 28 healthy subjects were included in this prospective cross sectional study. Optical coherence tomography angiography imaging was performed for the macula and optic disc. Vessel densities (VD) and choriocapillaris flow values were compared between three groups: control group, migraine with aura (MWA), and migraine without aura (MWOA).

RESULTS

There was no difference between the three groups for the VDs of the foveal, perifoveal, parafoveal, and the whole area. The choriocapillaris flow of patients with MWA was significantly less than that of the MWOA and control groups. The VDs of the optic disc revealed no significant difference between the three groups.

CONCLUSION

A lack of choriocapillaris autoregulatory mechanisms may be a possible cause of the decrease in choriocapillaris flow in patients with MWA.

Are Retinal and Peripapillary Blood Flows Affected during Migraine Attack?

Migraine pathophysiology is complex and partially includes the vasculature. This study compared retinal and peripapillary blood flow parameters in migraine patients during an attack with healthy controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). A prospective clinical study was conducted including 52 eyes from 26 migraineurs and 48 eyes from 24 healthy controls. OCTAs were performed with RTVue XR Avanti using AngioVue software. OCTA imaging was performed during the attack period in migraineurs before any treatment for the attack. Vascular densities in the whole image, fovea, superior hemisphere, inferior hemisphere, and temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior regions of the parafoveal area and in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses were acquired and statistically analysed. The flow density parameters were measured in the superficial retinal capillary plexus, deep retinal capillary plexus, outer retinal capillary plexus, and choriocapillaris layers of the macula in a 3-mm diameter area. The peripapillary flow densities were measured for the optic nerve head, vitreous, radial peripapillary capillaries, and choroid in a 4.50-mm diameter area around the optic disc. Vascular density measurements in the superficial plexus were similar between migraineurs and controls (p > .05). Vascular densities in the deep capillary plexus were similar between groups (p > .05), except in the deep superior area (p = .05). Flow areas in the nerve head, vitreous, peripapillary capillary, and choroid segments were similar between migraineurs and controls (p > .05). Macular thickness parameters were also similar between groups (p > .05). The results suggest that an acute migraine attack does not affect retinal or peripapillary blood flow.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Migraine Patients without Aura: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Migraine is one of the most common disorders and its pathophysiological mechanisms are still under research, oxidative stress being emphasized as an important contributor. This study aimed to analyze the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and oxidative/anti-oxidant balance in migraine patients.

METHODS

Two groups of subjects were evaluated: a group of patients with migraine and a control group of healthy volunteers. RNFL thickness was assessed for all subjects by the ocular coherence tomography spectral domain (OCT-SD). The oxidative stress parameter, namely nitric oxide (NOx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total oxidative stress (TOS) were assessed. The antioxidant capacity of plasma was evaluated by assessing the level of catalase, and total anti-oxidative (TOS) capacity. Migraine severity was graded using the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) questionnaire.

RESULTS

All the oxidative stress parameters (NOx, MDA, and TOS) were significantly increased, and both parameters for anti-oxidative status were significantly decreased in the migraine group compared with the control group (p < 0.0001). Significant correlations with all the quadrants and different oxidative stress parameters were found, most involved being temporal quadrant. A significant positive correlation between catalase and macular RNFL thickness (inner ring, temporal quadrant) in migraine patients, for both eyes, was observed (p = 0.014 for the right eye and p = 0.12 for the left eye).

CONCLUSION

The assessment of the oxidative stress/anti-oxidative balance together with RFLN thickness can constitute a promising method to evaluate the progression of the diseases. It can also contribute to the estimation of the efficiency of various therapies targeting oxidative stress and associated inflammation.

Topographic changes measured by the swept source optical coherence tomography in retinal nerve fiber layer, optic nerve head and macula in children with migraine

As a vascular-inflammatory disease, migraine affects the brain and some other organs, such as the eye. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular ganglion cell layer thickness and optic nerve head parameters to detect structural damage in children with migraine using swept-source optical coherence tomography. Twenty-four children with migraine in the painless period and 26 controls were included in the study. The vast majority of the groups consisted of females (75% for patients and 77% for controls). Certain RNFL quadrants and optic disc parameters revealed significant differences between the patients and controls. In the right and left eyes of children with migraine, nasal quadrant RNFL was significantly thicker than that in healthy subjects (88.82 ± 11.03 vs 77.80 ± 13.77, P = 0.004 for right eyes and 87.71 ± 11.79 vs 77.80 ± 13.77, P = 0.01 for left eyes). Temporal quadrant RNFL in the left eyes was thinner (78.67 ± 9.57 vs 84.44 ± 9.68, P = 0.04). Disc area in the left eyes of the patients was greater (2.29 ± 0.46 vs 1.94 ± 0.28, P = 0.003). There were significant expansions in cup volumes in favor of the patients for right and left eyes (0.15 ± .0.19 vs 0.05 ± 0.05, P = 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.14 vs 0.05 ± 0.05, P = 0.001, respectively). The only significant difference between the left and right eyes of the migraineurs was the RNFL thickness in the superior quadrant. Ganglion cell layer thickness did not differ between the right eyes, left eyes and controls. In conclusion, children with migraine showed significant variations in specific RNFL and optic disc parameters compared to control subjects.

Quantitative analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer and optic disc parameters by the swept source optical coherence tomography in patients with migraine and patients with tension-type headache

The aim of the study was to measure the thicknesses of the inner retinal segments and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters in migraineurs and patients with tension-type headache (TTH) in headache-free period using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to compare the outcomes with each other and those of healthy subjects. The study population consisted of 23 migraineurs, 22 TTH patients, and 25 controls with a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 and without a history of systemic or ocular disease. Macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL), macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC), circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL), and ONH parameters were evaluated using SS-OCT, and the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the ability of these parameters to distinguish between the patient and normal eyes. There were not statistically significant differences between the measurements acquired from migraineurs, TTH patients, and the controls. The outcomes of the patients with TTH were very similar to those of the normal participants. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) correlated highly with the measurements obtained from the same subfields for the mGCC, MGCIPL, cpRNFL, and ONH parameters. In conclusion, SS-OCT presented reproducible and reliable measurements of posterior segment layers of the eyes, especially in sectoral configuration, and the parameters did not show significant difference between the groups.

Evaluation of the lamina cribrosa thickness and depth in patients with migraine

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness, LC depth, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, in migraine patients with and without aura, by using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

This single-center, case-control study included 27 migraine with aura (Group I), 35 migraine patients without aura (Group II), and 35 healthy controls (Group III). In only the right eyes of participants, RNFL thickness in all quadrants was analyzed via OCT, whereas LC thickness and depth were measured by enhanced depth imaging OCT.

RESULTS

The mean age and sex distributions did not differ significantly across the groups (p = 0.460 and p = 0.941). The RNFL thickness was significantly lower in Group I (average and superotemporal, superonasal, and inferotemporal quadrants) and Group II (average and superotemporal and superonasal quadrants) when compared with Group III. Disease duration was significantly correlated with RNFL thickness on average and in all quadrants except in the superonasal quadrant in Groups I and II. Patients in Groups I and II had significantly thinner LC thicknesses and deeper LC depth than healthy participants in Group III.

CONCLUSIONS

The LC and RNFL thicknesses were thinner and the LC depth was deeper in migraine patients with or without aura than in healthy individuals, and disease duration correlated significantly with RNFL thickness. Both results suggest that migraine patients are at risk of developing glaucoma.

Effect of duration and severity of migraine on retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and choroidal thickness

Purpose:

To investigate the factors in migraine that have the highest significance on retinal and choroidal layers’ thickness.

Methods:

Ninety patients with migraine and 40 age-matched healthy participants were enrolled in this observational, cross-sectional study. After full ophthalmological examination, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography was done for all patients measuring the thickness of ganglion cell layer and retinal nerve fiber layer. Enhanced depth imaging technique was used to measure the choroidal thickness.

Results:

There was significant thinning in the superior and inferior ganglion cell layers, all retinal nerve fiber layer quadrants, and all choroidal quadrants (except for the central subfield) in migraineurs compared to controls. The duration of migraine was significantly correlated with ganglion cell layer, retinal nerve fiber layer, and all choroidal quadrants, while the severity of migraine was significantly correlated with ganglion cell layer and retinal nerve fiber layer only. Multiregression analysis showed that the duration of migraine is the most important determinant factor of the superior retinal nerve fiber layer quadrant (β = −0.375, p = 0.001) and in all the choroidal quadrants (β = −0.531, −0.692, −0.503, −0.461, −0.564, respectively, p  < 0.001), while severity is the most important determinant factor of inferior, nasal, and temporal retinal nerve fiber layer quadrants (β = −0.256, −0.335, −0.308; p  = 0.036, 0.005, 0.009, respectively) and the inferior ganglion cell layer hemisphere (β = −0.377 and p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Ganglion cell layer, retinal nerve fiber layer, and choroidal thickness are significantly thinner in patients with migraine. The severity of migraine has more significant influence in the thinning of ganglion cell layer and retinal nerve fiber layer, while the duration of the disease affected the choroidal thickness more.

The role of visual system in migraine

The visual system is involved in different ways in migraine. Visual auras are the most common form of migraine aura. It may consist of positive or negative visual symptoms and cortical spreading depression is felt to be the phenomenon that underlies it. Even in migraine without aura, vision it is not totally excluded given that one of the major criteria for the diagnosis of migraine is photophobia. In persistent visual aura, patients refer symptoms defined as visual snow and television static. In retinal migraine unilateral decreased vision or complete visual loss occurs. Ophthalmoplegic migraine is characterized by palsy of one among the three ocular motor nerves. Migraine visual aura, particularly when occurring without headache, is a diagnosis of exclusion. Imaging studies and laboratory tests should exclude neurologic disease, included seizures and central nervous system tumor, ocular pathologies, carotid or cardiac disease, thrombosis and connective tissue disease.

Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Chronic Migraine: Literature Review and Update

Migraine is a chronic disease characterized by unilateral, pulsating, and often moderate-to-severe recurrent episodes of headache with nausea and vomiting. It affects approximately 15% of the general population, yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a safe and reproducible diagnostic technique that utilizes infrared wavelengths and has a sensitivity of 8–10 μm. It can be used to measure thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in some neurological disorders. Although ophthalmologists are often the first specialists to examine patients with migraine, few studies have addressed the involvement of the optic nerve and retino-choroidal structures in this group. We reviewed the literature on the etiological and pathological mechanisms of migraine and the relationship between recurrent constriction of cerebral and retrobulbar vessels and ischemic damage to the optic nerve, retina, and choroid. We also assessed the role of OCT for measuring peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular and choroidal changes in migraine patients. There is considerable evidence of cerebral and retrobulbar vascular involvement in the etiology of migraine. Transitory and recurrent constriction of the retinal and ciliary arteries may cause ischemic damage to the optic nerve, retina, and choroid in patients with migraine. OCT to assess the thickness of the peripapillary RNFL, macula, and choroid might increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of migraine and facilitate diagnosis of retino-choroidal compromise and follow-up of therapy in migraine patients. Future studies should determine the usefulness of OCT findings as a biomarker of migraine.

Foveal and Peripapillary Vascular Decrement in Migraine With Aura Demonstrated by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Purpose

Migraine, particularly with aura, has been associated with ocular and systemic ischemic complications, but there are limited data on the ocular vasculature in migraine. We used optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to assess perfusion of the macula and optic nerve in migraine patients, with (MA) and without (MO) aura, compared to healthy controls (HC).

Methods

We recruited 15 MA (mean age 42 years), 12 MO (mean age 46 years), and 22 HC (mean age 39 years) participants from neurology and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. Participants underwent optical coherence tomography and 3 × 3 mm OCTA of the macula and optic nerve. Foveal avascular zone area was automatically measured using AngioVue software, and vessel density was calculated as blood vessel length divided by scan area (mm-1) after skeletonization of OCTA images.

Results

On macular OCTA, MA participants had an enlarged foveal avascular zone area when compared with HC (0.300 ± 0.019 vs. 0.220 ± 0.066 mm2, P = 0.006). In addition, superficial foveal vessel density was decreased in MA participants when compared with MO participants (7.8 ± 0.31 vs. 9.3 ± 0.44, P = 0.04) and HC (7.8 ± 0.31 vs. 9.4 ± 0.21 mm-1, P = 0.002). On optic nerve OCTA, the MA participants had reduced superior peripapillary vessel density when compared with the MO participants (12.0 ± 0.45 vs. 14.0 ± 0.38 mm-1, P = 0.031) and HC (12.0 ± 0.45 vs. 14.1 ± 0.53 mm-1, P = 0.035). There were no significant differences between the MO and HC groups.

Conclusions

Migraine with, but not without, aura was associated with foveal and peripapillary vascular decrements, which may possibly mediate increased risk of ocular and systemic vascular complications in these patients. OCTA could potentially be useful as a biomarker for migraine with aura.

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

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) and choroidal thickness (CT) with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in chronic migraine patients, to compare with healthy controls.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Ninety-four eyes of 47 chronic migraine patients (Group 1) and 68 eyes of 34 healthy individuals (Group 2) were included in this prospective case-control study. The right and left eyes were separately evaluated. Mean peripapillary RNFL thicknesses, mean GCL measured from superior and inferior quadrants, and mean CT were measured at three different regions (central, 500 μm nasal and temporal region of the fovea).

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant differences in RNFL between the two groups (p > 0.05), while CT values were significantly higher and GCL values were significantly lower in chronic migraine groups (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between migraine duration, frequency and length of attacks, presence of aura, relation to menstrual cycle, white matter lesions in cranial magnetic resonance imaging and RNFL, GCL and CT (p > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

In this study, we observed chronic migraine disease does not have any effect on peripapillary RNFL thickness; however, increases in CT and decreases in GCL thickness were observed in migraine patients.

Tear osmolarity and subjective dry eye symptoms in migraine sufferers

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have suggested an association between dry eye and migraine. In a busy ophthalmologist clinic, quick identification of dry eye in migraine sufferers may improve their quality of life. Tear osmolarity is an objective and reliable tool for diagnosing dry eye. It has not been investigated in any population with migraine. Using tear osmolarity and questionnaires, we aimed to explore the relationship between dry eye and clinical symptoms in patients with migraine.

DESIGN

Prospective cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-four adults with migraine sequentially recruited from a single neurologist's practice.

METHODS

Patients were assessed for subjective and objective signs of migraine and dry eye by using the Migraine Disability Assessment Score, the Ocular Surface Disease Index, and tear osmolarity (TearLab). Headache characteristics were compared by using χ², Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Osmolarity scores were compared with scores for headache features.

RESULTS

Median age of patients was 38 years, and 76.5% were females. Severe migraine disability was reported in 75.6%, and 34.5% reported moderate to severe dry eye symptoms. Objectively, 49.5% had evidence of dry eye, significantly higher than the 20% recognized in the general population (p < 0.0001). Aura was found to occur more frequently with dry eye (43.8% vs 5.9%; p = 0.02). Those with daily headaches were also more likely to have higher tear osmolarity with marginal significance (median osmolarity 310 mOsm/L vs 299 mOsm/L; p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with migraine, especially those with aura, appear more likely to have dry eye, as indicated by tear osmolarity. Tear osmolarity may also be greater in those who suffer from daily headaches.

Changes in retinal vessel diameters in migraine patients during attack-free period

AIM

To evaluate the retinal vessel diameters in patients with migraine by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 124 eyes of 62 patients with a diagnosis of unilateral migraine during attack-free period and 42 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included. Migraine patients were divided into the ≤2 migraine attacks per month group and the ≥5 migraine attacks per month group. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmological and neurological examinations before measurements. Retinal vessel diameters and choroidal thickness were examined with the Spectralis OCT.

RESULTS

The mean diameters of the arteries in the eyes on the headache side of control group, ≥5 migraine attacks per month and ≤2 migraine attacks per month group at 480 µm from the optic disk (Raster 3) were 119.54±46.69, 136.68±25.93 and 119.34±31.75 µm respectively with a steady decline to 105.57±32.15, 118.18±31.87 and 108.05±38.77 µm at 1440 µm (Raster 7), the last measurement point, respectively. The retinal artery diameter measurements were significantly increased in ≥5 migraine attacks per month patients at four out of five measured points compared to control group (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences at any of the points of vein measurements. The choroidal thickness measurements were significantly decreased in ≥5 migraine attacks per month patients at all measured points compared to control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The retinal artery diameter is found to increase significantly and the choroidal thickness is found to decrease in the eyes on the headache side in ≥5 migraine attacks per month patients compared to control group.

Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer and macular changes in patients with migraine

The aim of this study was to investigate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, macular changes (central subfield thickness (CST), cube average thickness (CAT), cube volume (CV) in patients with migraine using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to assess if there was any correlation with white matter lesions (WML). In this prospective case-control study, RNFL, GCL thickness and macular changes of 19 migraine patients with aura (MA), 41 migraine without aura (MO) and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were measured using OCT device. OCT measurements were taken at the same time of the day to minimize the effects of diurnal variation. The average, inferior and superior quadrant RNFL thickness were significantly thinner in patients with migraine (p = 0.017, p = 0.010, p = 0.048). There was also a significant difference between patients with and without aura in the mean and superior quadrant RNFL thickness (p = 0.02, p = 0.043).While there was a significant thinning in CST and CAT in patients with migraine (p = 0.020), there were no significant difference in GCL measurements (p = 0.184). When the groups were compared to the control group, there were significant differences between MA and the control group regarding average, superior and inferior quadrant RNLF thickness (p < 0.001, p = 0.025, p < 0.001). On the other hand, there were significant differences between MO and the control group regarding average and inferior faces (p = 0.037, p = 0.04). When OCT measurements were evaluated according to the frequency of attacks, CST and GCL thickness were significantly thinner in patients who had more than four attacks a month (p = 0.024, p = 0.014). In patients with WML, only CV measurements were significantly thinner than migraine patients without WML (p = 0.014). The decreased RNFL, CST, CAT and CV of the migraine patients might be related to the vascular pathology of the disease. Because WML was not correlated with the same measurements except CV, we think that further studies are needed to evaluate the etiopathologic relationship between OCT measurements and WML in migraine patients.

Relationship between white matter hyperintensities and retinal nerve fiber layer, choroid, and ganglion cell layer thickness in migraine patients

Aim

To compare the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on brain magnetic resonance imaging and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), choroid, and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses in migraine patients and healthy subjects. We also assessed the role of cerebral hypoperfusion in the formation of these WMH lesions.

Methods

We enrolled 35 migraine patients without WMH, 37 migraine patients with WMH, and 37 healthy control subjects examined in the Neurology outpatient clinic of our tertiary center from May to December 2015. RFNL, choroid, and GCL thicknesses were measured by optic coherence tomography.

Results

There were no differences in the RFNL, choroid, or GCL thicknesses between migraine patients with and without WMH ( p > 0.05). Choroid layer thicknesses were significantly lower in migraine patients compared to control subjects ( p < 0.05), while there were no differences in RFNL and GCL thicknesses ( p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The ‘only cerebral hypoperfusion’ theory was insufficient to explain the pathophysiology of WMH lesions in migraine patients. In addition, the thinning of the choroid thicknesses in migraine patients suggests a potential causative role for cerebral hypoperfusion and decreased perfusion pressure of the choroid layer.

Ophthalmological Assessment of OCT and Electrophysiological Changes in Migraine Patients

BACKGROUND

A cross-sectional study to investigate the morphological and functional changes of the visual pathway taking place in patients with migraine.

METHODS

Fifteen patients (14 female, 1 male) diagnosed with migraine with aura and 23 patients (21 female, 2 male) diagnosed with migraine without aura were compared with 20 healthy volunteers (18 female, 2 male). All the participants underwent optical coherence tomography scan, electroretinogram (ERG), visual evoked potentials, and multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG) recording.

RESULTS

Assessing ERG recordings, no significant differences in mean N1-P1 amplitudes were measured among the groups. The mean visual evoked potentials N80-P100 amplitudes were not significantly different among the three groups (one way analysis of variance: P = 0.075, F = 2.718). No significant difference was found in P100 latency times among groups. The mean retinal response density of mf-ERG in ring 1 was higher in healthy individuals compared with migraineurs, with statistical significance (Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Dunn multiple comparisons test; P < 0.001, mean rank difference = -24.857 and P < 0.001, mean rank difference = -20.9, for migraine with aura-control and migraine without aura-control comparisons, respectively). In migraine with aura subjects, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in superior and inferior quadrants was significantly decreased compared with healthy individuals, whereas in migraine without aura group, only the superior quadrant was significantly thinner compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal response density in mfERG of all migraineurs was significantly lessened compared with healthy individuals. There was no significant difference in visual evoked potentials N80-P100 amplitudes or P100 latencies among the groups. Moreover, retinal nerve fiber layer thinning observed in patients with migraine compared with control subjects, appeared statistically significant in some quadrants. The authors may be able to defend the retinal blood flow decrease theory in migraine. The results also indicate that several levels of the visual pathway seem to be affected in migraineurs.

Intraocular pressure and ocular biometric parameters changes in migraine

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the intraocular pressure and ocular biometric parameters in migraine patients during acute migraine attacks and compare them with painless period and healthy controls using a new optical biometer AL-Scan.

Methods

In this prospective, case–control study, the axial length, corneal curvature radius, anterior chamber depth, central corneal thickness, and pupil size of 40 migraine patients during acute migraine attacks and painless period and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were measured using a AL-Scan optical biometer (Nidek Co., Gamagori, Japan). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination before the measurements. IOP and biometer measurements were taken at the same time of day (10:00–12:00) in order to minimize the effects of diurnal variation.

Results

There was not a statistically significant difference in intraocular pressure between the migraine patients during acute migraine attacks (15.07 mmHg), painless period (14.10 mmHg), and the controls (15,73 ± 0,81). Also, the ocular biometric parameters did not significantly vary during the acute migraine attacks.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed to evaluate the etiopathologic relationship between intraocular pressure and ocular biometric parameters and acute migraine attack.

Is Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Change Related to Headache Lateralization in Migraine?

PURPOSE

To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in migraine patients with unilateral headache.

METHODS

A total of 58 patients diagnosed with migraine headache consistently occurring on the same side and 58 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. RNFL thickness was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and the side with the headache was compared with the contralateral side as well as with the results of healthy subjects.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 33.05 ± 8.83 years, and that of the healthy subjects was 31.44 ± 8.64 years (p = 0.32). The mean duration of disease was 10.29 ± 9.03 years. The average and nasal RNFL thicknesses were significantly thinner on the side of headache and on the contralateral side compared to control eyes (p < 0.05, for all). Thinning was higher on the side of the headache compared to the contralateral side; however, this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The RNFL thicknesses were thinner on the side of the headache compared to the contralateral side in the migraine patients with unilateral headache, but this difference was not statistically significant.

The Prevalence of Dry Eye and Sjögren Syndrome in Patients with Migraine

PURPOSE

To evaluate the presence of dry eye and primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) in patients with migraine.

METHODS

In total, 46 eyes of 46 patients with migraine (group 1) and 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects (group 2) were included in this study. Detailed ophthalmologic, neurologic and rheumatologic examination were performed on all participants. Ocular surface disease index questionnaire, tear function tests, visual analog scale for pain, serologic analysis were also performed.

RESULTS

Dry eye symptoms and findings were significantly higher and more severe in group 1 when compared with group 2. Primary SS was not found in any of the participants. The migraine lifetime duration was negatively correlated with the tear function tests while it was positively correlated with the ocular surface disease index scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Dry eye symptoms and findings are higher in migraine patients when compared with the healthy subjects without the presence of Sjögren syndrome.

Ocular pulse amplitude and retina nerve fiber layer thickness in migraine patients without aura

Background

To evaluate the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), the posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA), the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, macular thickness and visual field testing in migraine patients without aura.

Methods

In this prospective, cross-sectional and comparative study 38 migraine patients and 44 age and sex matched controls were included. OPA was measured by dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), PPAA, RNFL, GCL and macular thickness were measured by Heidelberg Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and standard perimetry was performed using the Humphrey automated field analyzer.

Results

The difference in OPA was not statistically significant between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05). In the PPAA there was no significant difference between two hemispheres in each eye (p ≥ 0.05). The RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in the temporal and nasal superior sectors in the migraine group (p ≤ 0.05). The GCL and macular thickness measurements were thinner in migraine patients but the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). There was no correlation between RNFL, GCL, macular thickness measurements and OPA values. There was no significant difference in the mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusions

Migraine patients without aura have normal OPA values, no significant asymmetry of the posterior pole and decreased peripapillary RNFL thickness in the temporal and nasal superior sectors compared with controls. These findings suggest that there is sectorial RNFL thinning in migraine patients without aura and pulsative choroidal blood flow may not be affected during the chronic course of disease.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Changes in Migraine: A Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies

BACKGROUND

The neurovascular dysfunction appears to be related to the development of migraines and it could be possible that hypoperfusion might also involve other areas besides brain, including the retina. Numerous studies have analyzed the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness abnormalities and changes in migraine, but the results have not always been consistent. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the RNFL thickness measured with OCT in migraine.

METHODS

Case-control studies were selected through an electronic search of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, PUBMED and EMBASE. For the continuous outcomes, we calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The statistical analysis was performed by RevMan 5.0 software.

RESULTS

Six case-control studies were included in the present meta-analysis, containing a total of 432 eyes in migraine patients and 288 eyes in healthy controls. The results of our study showed that there was a significant reduction in average RNFL thickness in patients with migraine compared to healthy controls (WMD = -3.67, 95% CI: -6.84 to -0.49, p = 0.02). Additionally, differences of RNFL thickness in superior quadrant (WMD = -9.23, 95% CI: -15.63 to -2.82, p = 0.005), inferior quadrant (WMD = -3.47, 95% CI: -6.73 to -0.22, p = 0.04), nasal quadrant (WMD = -3.86, 95% CI: -7.10 to -0.61, p = 0.02) and temporal quadrant (WMD = -3.10, 95% CI: -5.05 to -1.15, p = 0.002) were all significant between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis found that RNFL thickness in the migraine patients was thinner than that in the healthy control group. Given the limited sample size, further investigations are needed to validate these findings.

Clinical impact of migraine for the management of glaucoma patients

Migraine is a common and debilitating primary headache disorder that affects 10-15% of the general population, particularly people of working age. Migraine is relevant to providers of clinical eye-care because migraine attacks are associated with a range of visual sensory symptoms, and because of growing evidence that the results of standard tests of visual function necessary for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma (visual fields, electrophysiology, ocular imaging) can be abnormal due to migraine. These abnormalities are measureable in-between migraine events (the interictal period), despite patients being asymptomatic and otherwise healthy. This picture is further complicated by epidemiological data that suggests an increased prevalence of migraine in patients with glaucoma, particularly in patients with normal tension glaucoma. We discuss how migraine, as a co-morbidity, can confound the results and interpretation of clinical tests that form part of contemporary glaucoma evaluation, and provide practical evidence-based recommendations for the clinical testing and management of patients with migraine who attend eye-care settings.

Systematic review of macular ganglion cell complex analysis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography for glaucoma assessment

AIM: To review the use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for macular retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) measurement in glaucoma assessment, specifically for early detection and detection of disease progression.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science for articles published in English through July 2014 describing the various macular SD-OCT scanning strategies developed for glaucoma assessment. The review focused on papers evaluating the use of macular RGC/GCC SD-OCT to detect early glaucoma and its progression. The search included keywords corresponding to the index test (macular ganglion cell/RGC/GCC/Spectral domain OCT), the target condition (glaucoma), and diagnostic performance. The RGC/GCC SD-OCT scanning strategies used to assess glaucoma of most commonly used SD-OCT instruments were described and compared. These included the Cirrus high definition-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, United States), RTVue (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA, United States), Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and the 3D OCT 2000 (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Studies focusing on the ability of RGC/GCC SD-OCT to detect early glaucomatous damage and on the correlation between glaucomatous progression and RGC/GCC measurement by SD-OCT were reviewed.

RESULTS: According to the literature, macular RGC/GCC SD-OCT has high diagnostic power of preperimetric glaucoma, reliable discrimination ability to differentiate between healthy eyes and glaucomatous eyes, with good correlation with visual filed damage. The current data suggests that it may serve as a sensitive detection tool for glaucomatous structural progression even with mild functional progression as the rate of change of RGC/GCC thickness was found to be significantly higher in progressing than in stable eyes. Glaucoma assessment with RGC/GCC SD-OCT was comparable with and sometimes better than circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurement.

CONCLUSION: An increasing body of evidence supports using macular RGC/GCC thickness as an indicator for early glaucoma. This might be a useful tool for monitoring disease progression.

The impact of migraine on posterior ocular structures

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.

The visual system in migraine: from the bench side to the office

BACKGROUND

Throughout history, migraine-associated visual symptoms have puzzled patients, doctors, and neuroscientists. The visual aspects of migraine extend far beyond the aura phenomena, and have several clinical implications.

METHODS

A narrative review was conducted, beginning with migraine mechanisms, then followed by pertinent aspects of the anatomy of visual pathways, clinical features, implications of the visual system on therapy, migraine on visually impaired populations, treatment of visual auras and ocular (retinal) migraine, effect of prophylactic migraine treatments on visual aura, visual symptoms induced by anti-migraine or anti-headache drugs, and differential diagnosis.

RESULTS

A comprehensive narrative review from both basic and clinical standpoints on the visual aspects of migraine was attained; however, the results were biased to provide any useful information for the clinician.

CONCLUSION

This paper achieved its goals of addressing and condensing information on the pathophysiology of the visual aspects of migraine and its clinical aspects, especially with regards to therapy, making it useful not only for those unfamiliar to the theme but to experienced physicians as well.