Optometric Perspective on Prevention of Migraine with and without Aura

Abstract

Objective: To investigate optometrists' perspectives on migraine prevention, focusing on visual manifestations, management strategies, and clinical challenges in integrating contemporary research into practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 133 practicing optometrists across Lahore’s eye hospitals using structured questionnaires. Data on migraine characteristics, interventions, and practice barriers were analyzed via SPSS-27, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for categorical variables (e.g., migraine frequency vs. visual triggers), and Pearson correlations for continuous variables (e.g., migraine frequency vs. intervention efficacy). Results: Optometrists reported migraines predominantly in females (85.7%), with weekly presentations (35.3%) being most frequent. Visual symptoms affected 10–50% of patients in 60% of cases; zigzag auras (60%) were the most observed. Uncorrected refractive errors (30.4%) and digital eye strain (26.2%) were top triggers. Primary interventions included prescription glasses (44.7%) and prisms (37.1%), while blue-light filters were underutilized (18.3%). Key barriers were a lack of patient awareness (44.1%) and limited guidelines (33.8%). Although statistical associations were largely non-significant, digital eye strain showed near-significant links to migraine frequency (p=0.060). Migraine frequency positively correlated with perceived intervention efficacy (r=0.203, p≤0.005). Conclusion: Optometrists validate the centrality of visual pathways in migraines, observing female predominance, zigzag auras, and refractive errors as key triggers. However, underuse of evidence-based interventions (e.g., spectral filters), coupled with diagnostic and collaborative challenges, highlights critical practice-research gaps. Near-significant trends warrant further investigation to optimize optometry’s role in migraine prevention through interdisciplinary, biomarker-informed approaches.

Keywords: Disease Management, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Migraine Disorders, Optometry, Vision Disorders