Scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation in migraine patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to compare scanning laser polarimetry measurements of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes of migraine patients with those in eyes of age-matched, healthy subjects.


METHODS
The study was designed as an observational, prospective, cross-sectional study. It included 57 eyes of 57 patients with migraine with or without aura according to the criteria of the International Headache Society and 44 eyes of 44 age-matched healthy controls. Scanning laser polarimetry images were obtained using a commercial GDx VCC system (Version 5.3.1; Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.). At each sitting, three sets of GDx VCC measurements were acquired for each patient and used in the analysis. Image acquisition was performed in undilated eyes in all subjects.


RESULTS
The mean ± standard deviation RNFL average thickness parameter in the migraine subjects was significantly lower than in the control group, at 50.4 ± 4.8 μm versus 54.7 ± 3.4 μm, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, there were no differences between migraine subjects and controls in mean RNFL thickness in superior and inferior areas. In the migraine group the mean migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) score was 34.3 ± 15.3 and the mean number of attacks per year was 17.1 ± 6.9 (range 6-28). The mean RNFL average thickness parameter was significantly correlated with MIDAS score (r = - 0.86, p < 0.0001) and frequency of attacks (r = - 0.86, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The mean RNFL average thickness parameter was found to be thinner in migraine patients. In addition, we found a strong correlation between migraine severity and RNFL average thickness parameters.
Martinez
Antonio
A
Glaucoma Department, Galician Institute of Ophthalmology, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña, Spain. tontxu_1999@yahoo.com
Proupim
Norberto
N
Sanchez
Manuel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000473:pathology*; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000473:pathology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D057109:Scanning Laser Polarimetry; D055815:Young Adult