MYOPIA AND MIGRAINE IN ADOLESCENTS: DOPPLER CRITERIA OF VASCULAR CHANGES

Abstract

Migraine is among the most prevalent neurological disorders afflicting adolescents. One possible contributing factor to the development of migraines is refractive errors such as myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism.

Purpose – to evaluate Doppler criteria in refractive disorders associated with migraine in adolescents and to investigate the relationship between ocular blood flow changes and visual disturbance.

Material and methods
The study was included 87 patients (174 eyes), aged 11–17 years, with headaches and diagnosed refractive errors, were included. Participants were divided into three groups: patients with myopia without migraine (n=31), patients with migraine without refractive errors (n=19), patients with combined myopia and migraine (n=37). The control group organized 20 healthy volunteers. Patients with myopia were subdivided based on refractive error severity. Low myopia (from (–)0.25 to (–)3.0 D) included 39 patients (44.8%), moderate myopia (from (–)3.25 to (–)6.0 D) included 30 patients (34.5%), and high myopia (more than (–)6.0 D) included 18 patients (20.7%).

The hemodynamic parameters – maximum systolic velocity (Vmax), minimum diastolic velocity (Vmin), and resistance index (RI) – were studied in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and posterior short ciliary arteries (PSCA) using color Doppler imaging (CDI). The degree of blood flow asymmetry was also assessed.

Results
Statistically significant differences were found in all studied parameters of the three arteries. In migraine patients, reduced Vmax, Vmin in the OA and increased RI were observed, suggesting a vascular role in migraine pathogenesis. The most pronounced changes appeared in patients with both myopia and migraine, particularly in RI and Vmin. These alterations may result from the combined effects of visual strain and vascular dysregulation.

Conclusion
The results of our research support the idea that vasomotor disturbances play an important role in the mechanisms of migraine pain, and dopplerographic criteria can be used to objectively identify vascular dysfunctions in adolescents.