“Symptoms of dry eye are variable and can include feelings of dryness, grittiness, burning and stinging,” the authors wrote. “People can also report that these feelings are unaffected and / or aroused by wind or light. Others complain about visual deficiencies, such as blurred or changeable vision. ”
PubMed researchers searched for scientific articles regarding dry eye and migraine and found that the conditions are often comorbid. One cross-sectional study based on the Korean population found that the frequency of dry eye diagnoses was higher among migraineurs. Additional studies yielded similar results, finding the strongest association among women 65 years and older.
Several studies have also found that dry eye symptoms, as opposed to dry eye signs, are associated with migraine. Dry eye features appear to be more common among migraineurs with an aura compared to those without an aura, and among patients with a longer lifespan of migraine. However, definitions of dry eye were not consistent across all studies and migraine criteria were not always clearly defined.
The presence of photophobia, or light-induced neurological symptoms, indicates an additional common feature between migraine and dry eye. Photophobia can usually manifest as increased sensitivity to light or glare, intensification of headache, and ocular pain or discomfort. Moreover, the presence of photophobia in both dry eyes and migraine affects shared pathophysiology, the authors explained.
There are several explanations for the neural circulation underlying photophobia including light signals in rod and cone cells transmitted to retinal ganglion cells (RGCn) through amacrine and bipolar cells, light-sensitive neurons in the posterior thalamus a derives from photosensitive RGCs and dural trigeminal afferents. , or includes the hypothalamus, retinal rod and cone cells, and the iris.
When it comes to shared basic pathophysiology, “One unifying theory is that dry eye symptoms and migraine include abnormal peripheral trigeminal nerve activation with subsequent peripheral and central sensation,” wrote the load -research.
Studies suggest that dry eye symptoms and migraine pain are partly driven by peripheral sensation, as corneal nerve changes have been documented in both settings. According to the authors, photophobia has also been linked to peripheral corneal nerve dysfunction.
Moderate zero disorders have been demonstrated in migraine and dry eye, but more imaging studies are needed to confirm results.
Research shows that inflammation contributes significantly to peripheral and medial nerve dysfunction in the conditions. In particular, calcitonin-associated peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide involved in neurogenic inflammation, has been associated with changes in zero function in the dry eye and migraine. CGRP can also promote mild sensitivity.
“The overlap between dry eye and migraine may have an impact in the assessment and treatment of people with both of these diseases,” said authors, adding:
- Eye care providers should ask people with dry eyes about comorbid headaches, and primary care doctors and neurologists should ask people with migraine about dry eye symptoms.
- Eye care providers should consider zero status when evaluating a person with dry eye symptoms, including assessment for ocular pain through routine questionnaires and evaluating zero structure and working clinically.
Tearing tears is considered as a first-line treatment for the management of dry eye. However, the researchers noted that when this approach does not relieve symptoms enough, providers should consider treatments that target zero dysfunction.
Comprehensive information provided in the review “can be used to better understand pathophysiologic mechanisms and develop targeted therapies by implementing therapies that are successful in reducing migraine pain to dry eye. , ”The researchers concluded.
Information
Baksh BS, Garcia JC, Galor A. Exploring the link between dry eye and migraine: from eye to brain. Brain of an eye. Published online March 4, 2021. doi: 10.2147 / EB.S234073