Visual stimuli are common triggers of migraine and are associated with pattern glare.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the associations between interictal pattern glare, visual stress, and visual triggers of migraine.

BACKGROUND:
There has been relatively little research on the visual stimuli that can trigger migraine episodes. This is surprising, since if practitioners can obviate such triggers, then some attacks may be prevented. The existing literature suggests that patients who are prone to visually triggered migraines report more illusions on viewing striped patterns ("pattern glare") and that colored filters may be an effective intervention for these people.

METHODS:
Headache symptoms and headache triggers were investigated in migraine and control groups in 2 separate experiments. In one experiment, we also determined, for each participant, pattern glare, whether it was reduced by colored filters and, if so, what the optimum color of filter was. Color vision was also assessed with the D15 test.

RESULTS:
People with migraine saw significantly more illusions on viewing each striped pattern and experienced greater pattern glare. They were also more likely to select a colored filter to aid visual comfort, particularly colors in the blue-to-green sector of the spectrum. Color vision was impaired subtly but significantly in migraine. Principal component analyses grouped common headache triggers into 5 broadly equal components:
food, visual triggers, alcohol, stress and tiredness, and the environment. In a second analysis, the overall number of illusions seen in striped patterns was associated with visual triggers while pattern glare, use of colored filters, and interictal light sensitivity together formed a sixth component interpreted as visual stress.

CONCLUSIONS:
It is suggested that clinicians should ask migraine patients whether visual stimuli trigger their migraine, about interictal visual symptoms, and use the pattern glare test to ensure that those who may benefit from optometric interventions are appropriately managed.

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Author information

Author/s: Harle, Deacon E (DE); Shepherd, Alex J (AJ); Evans, Bruce J W (BJ);

Affiliation: The Neville Chappell Research Clinic, The Institute of Optometry, London, UK.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Conference; Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Headache (Headache), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Oct; vol 46 (issue 9) : pp 1431-40

Dates: Created 2006/10/16; Completed 2007/01/23;

PMID: 17040340, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acute Disease
Adult
Female
Fructose - analogs & derivatives; therapeutic use
Humans
Male
Middle Aged

Middle Aged
Migraine Disorders - drug therapy; epidemiology; prevention & control
Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use
Pilot Projects
Recurrence - prevention & control
Serotonin Antagonists - therapeutic use
Tryptamines - therapeutic use

Associated Chemicals: Neuroprotective Agents (0) ; Serotonin Antagonists (0) ; Tryptamines (0) ; Fructose (30237-26-4) ; topiramate (97240-79-4)

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