[Comparison of frequency doubling technology perimetry and achromatic standard automated perimetry in patients with migraine without aura and controls].
BACKGROUND
The frequency doubling technology perimetry predominantly tests the magnocellular visual pathway (M-cells) whereas the achromatic standard automated perimetry examines magno- and parvocellular ganglion cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with migraine without aura are conspicuous in these perimeters.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with migraine without aura (f:m = 2:30, mean age 40.4 +/- 11.34 years) were compared with nineteen controls (f:m = 1:18, mean age 40.15 +/- 12.5 years). Subjects with systemic health problems or ocular diseases were excluded from the study. Beside the ophthalmological examinations (visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, slit lamp and fundus examination) quantitative analysis of visual field by Octopus 1 - 2 - 3 perimeter and Humphrey frequency doubling technology perimeter (FDT) were performed. Different parameters (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation [PSD]) were statistically compared using non-parametric tests.


RESULTS
The clinical ophthalmological examinations were inconspicuous in all migraine sufferers and controls. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference of MD and PSD between the patients with migraine and controls in the frequency doubling perimetry. However, there was a significant difference of MD using the achromatic standard perimetry in migraine sufferers in comparison to the controls (migraine - right eye MD 0.4 +/- 1.33 dB, migraine - left eye MD 0.2 +/- 1.47 dB, controls-right eye MD -1.4 +/- 0.76, controls - left eye -1.4 +/- 0.84; Mann-Whitney U test: p < 0.001 with Bonferoni-Holms-correction).


CONCLUSIONS
In migraine sufferers without aura we found a reduction of contrast sensitivity in the achromatic standard perimetry but not in the frequency doubling technology perimetry. This can be indicative of a stronger involvement of the parvocellular pathway in migraine without aura patients. These results should be take into consideration in further perimetric examinations.
Göbel
K
K
Abteilung für Augenheilkunde, Schlosspark-Klinik, Berlin. katja.goebel@schlossparkklinik.de
Boyraz
M
M
Schröder
A
A
Erb
C
C
D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields