Wilkins, AJ;
Haigh, SM;
Mahroo, OA;
Plant, GT;
(2021)
Photophobia in migraine: A symptom cluster?
Cephalalgia
10.1177/03331024211014633.
Preview |
Text
photophobia_migraine_2021.pdf - Published Version Download (531kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Photophobia is one of the most common symptoms in migraine, and the underlying mechanism is uncertain. The discovery of the intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells which signal the intensity of light on the retina has led to discussion of their role in the pathogenesis of photophobia. In the current review, we discuss the relationship between pain and discomfort leading to light aversion (traditional photophobia) and discomfort from flicker, patterns, and colour that are also common in migraine and cannot be explained solely by the activity of intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. We argue that, at least in migraine, a cortical mechanism provides a parsimonious explanation for discomfort from all forms of visual stimulation, and that the traditional definition of photophobia as pain in response to light may be too restrictive. Future investigation that directly compares the retinal and cortical contributions to photophobia in migraine with that in other conditions may offer better specificity in identifying biomarkers and possible mechanisms to target for treatment.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Photophobia in migraine: A symptom cluster? |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1177/03331024211014633 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1177%2F03331024211014633 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Keywords: | photophobia, migraine, pattern glare, flicker, colour contrast |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Institute of Ophthalmology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10128502 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
