Dry eyes and migraine

People who suffer from migraines often have a variety of visual symptoms. These include seeing an aura prior to the onset of headache, blurred vision, difficulty reading on screens or even on paper, and eye pain.

Patients with migraines often have reduced visual quality of life (QoL). This is according to a study published in Headache by doctors at the University of Utah. They assessed the visual quality of life, headache impact, aura, dry eye, and photophobia in migraine patients.

The researchers concluded that “Dry eye seems to be the most important symptom that reduces visual quality of life and worsens headache impact.”

Research has consistently shown that dry eye disease has a significant impact on several aspects of patients’ QoL, including pain, vitality, ability to perform certain activities requiring sustained visual attention (e.g., reading, driving), and productivity in the workplace.

Some people may not be aware that their eyes are dry. Their eyes might just feel fatigued or irritated. Ophthalmologists perform the Schirmer test to detect dry eye disease. It is done by placing a strip of filter paper under the lower eyelid and measuring the length of the strip that gets wet.

It is not clear if treating dryness of the eyes will help migraine headaches but it is very likely to improve visual functioning and QoL. Some of the treatments for dry eyes include artificial tears, tear stimulation, and anti-inflammatory therapy.