Migraine headache and high tension glaucoma among adult population living in Armenia: a case‐control study

Abstract

AbstractPurposeGlaucoma is the leading cause of global irreversible blindness and the second leading cause of blindness globally. This study assessed the association between migraine headaches and high tension glaucoma among adult population living in Armenia.MethodsThis case‐control study recruited 145 cases and 250 controls from Optomed Canada Eye Diagnostic Center (OCEDC) in Armenia. Cases were patients with glaucoma, while controls were patients with no glaucoma and no other ocular disorders except refractive errors. A structured interviewer‐administered questionnaire contained socio‐demographic questions, family history of glaucoma and stroke, smoking status, migraine and obstructive sleep apnea. The details on ocular health were retrieved from patients’ medical records. This study used Migraine Screening Questionnaire for assessment of possible migraine and Berlin Questionnaire to assess obstructive sleep apnea.ResultsMean age of cases and controls was 62.8 (SD = 12.6) and 39.5 (SD = 13.5), respectively. Women comprised 64.1% of cases and 69.1% of controls in the sample. About 17.5% of cases and 19.0% of controls were identified having possible migraine. In the adjusted analysis age (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.10; 1.19), having average and lower than average socio‐economic status (OR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.04; 11.4) and family history of glaucoma (OR = 3.96; 95% CI: 1.56; 10.1) were significantly associated with glaucoma.ConclusionThis study found no statistically significant association between migraine headache and high tension glaucoma. Due to the limited number of cases with normal tension glaucoma in the sample, the study could not assess its associations with migraine. Timely screenings for eye pathologies among those with average/low socio‐economic status could facilitate early detection of eye diseases and help to prevent visual loss.