Assessment of spatial-contrast function and short-wavelength sensitivity deficits in patients with migraine.
OBJECTIVE
To study spatial-contrast function and short-wavelength sensitivity deficits in a migraine population with a disease duration of 30 years or less.


METHODS
In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we evaluated 28 subjects with migraine headache and 15 nonheadache healthy controls. Visual fields were evaluated using the Humphrey Field Analyzer 750i and the 30-2, blue and yellow threshold programme. Contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd spatial frequencies, using the Functional Acuity Contrast Test (F.A.C.T.). The results of the visual field parameters (mean defect (MD) and pattern standard defect (PSD)) and CS were compared with 15 age-equivalent normal subjects.


RESULTS
Short-wavelength amplitude perimetry (SWAP) parameters and CS scores at all spatial frequencies were significantly altered in the migraine patients when compared with the control subjects. Visual field parameters correlated significantly with contrast sensitivity scores: positively for MD (r=0.39, P=0.01; r=0.43, P=0.005; r=0.56, P=0.0001; r=0.45, P=0.003; r=0.48, P=0.0001) and negatively for PSD (r=-0.45, P=0.003; r=-0.45, P=0.003; r=-0.51, P=0.001; r=-0.53, P=0.0001; and r=-0.67, P=0.0001) at all (1.5, 3, 6,12, and 18 cpd) spatial frequencies, respectively. Migraine duration correlated negatively with MD (r=-0.42, P=0.04) and positively with PSD (r=0.42, P=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Migraineurs had significantly altered visual field and contrast function at all spatial frequencies to the normal population. These defects share some features with early stages of glaucoma and may relate a possibility for a common vascular disease pathogenesis in these two conditions.
Yenice
O
O
Marmara University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul, Turkey. yeniceozlem@yahoo.com
Onal
S
S
Incili
B
B
Temel
A
A
Afşar
N
N
Tanridağ
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology