The effect of the menstrual cycle on the optic nerve head analysis of migrainous women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on the optic nerve head topographic analysis of normally menstruating migrainous women.


METHODS
Randomly selected one eye of 44 migrainous and 49 healthy control women with regular menstrual cycles were included in the study. All subjects underwent complete ocular examination. Optic nervehead topographic analysis were performed using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope, HRT II (Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II, software version 1.6;Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). They were repeated for two times during the menstrual cycle: in follicular phase (7th to 10th day of the cycle) and in the luteal phase (days 3 to 4 before the menstrual bleeding). Serum estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone measurements were repeated at each menstrual phase.


RESULTS
The mean age of migrainous and control subjects were 31.5 + 5.1 years and 33.4 +/- 3.7 years, respectively (P > 0.05). Their mean disc areas were 2.26 +/- 0.46 mm(2) and 1.95 +/- 0.39 mm(2), respectively(P < 0.05). Control subjects did not demonstrate any difference in the disc topography (P > 0.05). The parameter rim volume decreased, while the parameters cup volume and cup shape measure increased significantly in the luteal phase of the migrainous women (all P values <0.05). Mean intraocular pressure of the migrainous women decreased significantly in luteal phase (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences exist in the optic rim and cup parameters during the menstrual cycle of the migrainous women. Further clinical trials on ocular blood flow changes during the menstrual cycle of the migrainous women may highlight the role of sex steroids in the optic nerve head of the migrainous women.
Yucel
Iclal
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
Akar
Munire
M
Durukan
A
A
Akar
Yusuf
Y
Taskin
Omur
O
Dora
Babur
B
Yilmaz
Nurgul
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007834:Lasers; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone