Migraine headache and its association with open-angle glaucoma: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship of a history of migraine headache to open-angle glaucoma.

METHODS

In an epidemiologic study of age-related eye disease, subjects were asked if they had migraine headaches. The diagnosis of glaucoma was based on visual field, intraocular pressure, cup/disc ratio, and history.

RESULTS

Those younger than 65 years were significantly more likely to report a history of migraine (P = 0.001) as were women (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the frequency of open-angle glaucoma between those with and those without migraine headache (P = 0.87). Multivariate analyses did not alter the conclusion.

CONCLUSION

In this population-based study there is no evidence of a relationship between open-angle glaucoma and migraine headache.