Many of your patients with migraine are also light sensitive. Photophobia is one of the most common symptoms experienced by people with migraine – as many as 80%-90% of those with migraine also have light sensitivity1.
It is so common, in fact, that The International Classification of Headache Disorders considers light sensitivity by itself as one of the criteria for diagnosing migraine headaches2. And it can occur both during active migraine attacks as well as between attacks when headache pain may not even be present3.
Bottom line: light sensitivity can cause disability in patients with migraine, and it needs to be treated as an independent symptom. And you, as an eye care professional, can help.
References
1 Laurell L Artto V Bendsten et al Premonitory symptoms in migraine: A cross-sectional study in 2714 persons. Cephalgia 2016 Sep;36(10):951-9
2 The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalgia, 2013, 33(9): 629-808
3 Drummond PD, Woodhouse A. Painful stimulation of the forehead increases photophobia in migraine sufferers. Cephalalgia. 1993;13:321–324.
Read more about the impact of light sensitivity on migraine here.
Read more WO stories about Avulux here.
