Korean J Ophthalmol.  2016 Apr;30(2):134-139. 10.3341/kjo.2016.30.2.134.

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

• Gunes A
• Demirci S
• Tok L
• Tok O
• Demirci S
• Kutluhan S

• KMID: 2160464
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2016.30.2.134

Abstract

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 com-pared 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.

Keyword

Migraine; Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness; Unilateral headache

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Headache*
Humans
Migraine Disorders*
Nerve Fibers*
Retinaldehyde*
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Retinaldehyde

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