Dim the Lights: A Narrative Review of Photophobia in Migraine

Abstract

A preference for darkness is one of the main associated features in people with migraine, the cause remaining a mystery until some decades ago. In this article, we describe the epidemiology of photophobia in migraine and explain the pathophysiological mechanisms following an anatomical structure. In addition, we review the current management of migraine and photophobia. Ongoing characterization of patients with photophobia and its different manifestations continues to increase our understanding of the intricate pathophysiology of migraine and vice versa. Detailed phenotyping of the patient with photophobia is encouraged.

Pathophysiology and Therapy of Associated Features of Migraine

“…In this paper, we will focus on some frequently disabling associated symptoms, such as nausea, osmophobia, phonophobia, neuro-otological manifestations and cutaneous allodynia, and will spare comments on some premonitory-like symptoms, such as yawning. Photophobia has recently been reviewed elsewhere [ 13 ], and the usually omnipresent symptom in migraineurs, movement sensitivity, could be explained by some mechanisms that are commented on below.…”