A Controlled Study of Visual Symptoms and Eye Strain Factors in Chronic Headache

Vincent, Arnaud Jp; Spierings, Egilius L.H.; Messinger, Harley B.

doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed2908523.x

Cited by 52 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 1 publication

(1 reference statement)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…46 One case-control study showed light sensitivity in 44.7% of headache sufferers compared with 27.8% of controls in the absence of headache. 47 Bright light precipitated headaches in 29% and aggravated it in 73%. A university-based headache clinic study in Illinois found that headaches were reported least frequently during the winter compared with other times of the year.…”

Section: Bright Light and External Environmental Lightingmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Migraine and the Environment

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Migraineurs often describe environmental triggers of their headaches, such as barometric pressure change, bright sunlight, flickering lights, air quality, and odors. Environmental aspects of indoor space and workplaces are also implicated in migraine experience. Comprehensive migraine treatment programs emphasize awareness and avoidance of trigger factors as part of the therapeutic regimen. As migraine has a substantial economic impact, remediation of correctable environmental triggers may benefit employee attendance and productivity among migraineurs. Few controlled studies in the literature, however, confirm environmental influences on migraine and headaches. Although some are controversial, migraineurs worldwide consistently report similar environmental triggers. This article addresses commonly mentioned environmental triggers with a discussion of their pathophysiology and proposed preventive measures. Objective: To examine the epidemiological evidence for commonly‐mentioned environmental migraine triggers, discuss their possible role in the pathophysiology of migraine and propose preventive measures to avoid or minimize exposure. Background: Migraineurs often describe environmental triggers of their headaches, such as barometric pressure change, bright sunlight, flickering lights, air quality and odors. Environmental aspects of indoor space and workplaces are also implicated in the migraine experience. As migraine has a substantial economic impact, remediation of correctable environmental triggers may improve attendance and productivity among migraineurs in the workplace. Methods: We reviewed the literature addressing indoor and outdoor environmental factors which are commonly implicated as migraine triggers. Results: Although some factors are controversial, migraineurs worldwide consistently report similar environmental triggers. However, few studies confirm environmental influences on migraine and headaches. Research to date indicates that migraineurs have lower thresholds for light‐induced discomfort, sine grating distortion and illusions, noise tolerance and olfactory sensitivity compared to the general population. Conclusion: There are conflicting studies supporting the validity of patient‐reported environmental migraine triggers. Prospective studies are needed to determine the extent that external stimuli influence the migraine process. Decreased thesholds for light, noise, olfactory and visual stimuli in migraineurs may be minimized by modifying the work, home and classroom settings.

show abstract

Section: Bright Light and External Environmental Lightingmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…47 The exact role of isolated visual stimuli at the workplace may be difficult to accurately ascertain; among video display terminal (VDT) users, the light source and brightness, flicker frequency, visual clarity, posture, and work-related stress may contribute to headaches.…”

Section: Visual Stimuli In the Indoor Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migraine and the Environment

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Patients with chronic headache are particularly prone to visual symptoms and eye strain [3], and non-incandescent artificial indoor light can provoke headaches. [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin-film optical notch filter spectacle coatings for the treatment of migraine and photophobia

Hoggan

Subhash

Blair

et al. 2016

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Previous evidence suggests optical treatments hold promise for treating migraine and photophobia. We designed an optical notch filter, centered at 480 nm to reduce direct stimulation of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. We used thin-film technology to integrate the filter into spectacle lenses. Our objective was to determine if an optical notch filter, designed to attenuate activity of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, could reduce headache impact in chronic migraine subjects. For this randomized, double-masked study, our primary endpoint was the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6; GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, Middlesex, UK). We developed two filters: the therapeutic filter blocked visible light at 480 nm; a 620 nm filter was designed as a sham. Participants were asked to wear lenses with one of the filters for 2 weeks; after 2 weeks when no lenses were worn, they wore lenses with the other filter for 2 weeks. Of 48 subjects, 37 completed the study. Wearing either the 480 or 620 nm lenses resulted in clinically and statistically significant HIT-6 reductions. However, there was no significant difference when comparing overall effect of the 480 and 620 nm lenses. Although the 620 nm filter was designed as a sham intervention, research published following the trial indicated that melanopsin, the photopigment in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, is bi-stable. This molecular property may explain the unexpected efficacy of the 620 nm filter. These preliminary findings indicate that lenses outfitted with a thin-film optical notch filter may be useful in treating chronic migraine.

show abstract

“…However, Waters did not assess refractive error at all and so doubt must be raised over his conclusions. Vincent et al (1989) determined the prevalence of visual symptoms and eyestrain factors in a group of chronic headache sufferers as compared with age-and sex-matched controls and found near visual tasks to be one of the many visual triggers to chronic headache. However, this questionnaire survey did not take account of whether the near visual tasks were carried out with corrected or uncorrected refractive errors.…”

Section: Refractive Errors and Migrainementioning

confidence: 99%

The optometric correlates of migraine

Harle

Evans

2004

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Migraine is a common, chronic, multi-factorial, neuro-vascular disorder typically characterised by recurrent attacks of unilateral, pulsating headache and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Migraine may additionally be associated with aura; those focal neurological symptoms that may precede or sometimes accompany the headache. This review describes the optometric aspects of migraine headache. There have been claims of a relationship between migraine headaches and errors of refraction, binocular vision anomalies, pupil anomalies, visual field changes and pattern glare. The quality of the evidence for a relationship between errors of refraction and binocular vision and migraine is poor. The quality of the evidence to suggest a relationship between migraine headache and pupil anomalies, visual field defects and pattern glare is stronger. In particular the link between migraine headache and pattern glare is striking. The therapeutic use of precision-tinted spectacles to reduce pattern glare (visual stress) and to help some migraine sufferers is described.

show abstract

A Controlled Study of Visual Symptoms and Eye Strain Factors in Chronic Headache

Cited by 52 publications

References 1 publication

Migraine and the Environment

Migraine and the Environment

Thin-film optical notch filter spectacle coatings for the treatment of migraine and photophobia

The optometric correlates of migraine

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About