Visual field changes in common and classic migraine

ABSTRACT

To detect whether migraine has any permanent effect on the visual field [VF], 25 cases of classic migraine with visual aura and 10 cases of common migraine were examined. All cases were examined between the attacks. The results showed that 40 percent of cases had permanent VF abnormalities not statistically related to age, sex or duration of the disease. VF abnormalities are more common among classic migraineurs. Permanent neurological effects on the visual pathway caused by migraine are due to prolonged or severe vasospasm of the external carotid and ophthalmic arteries or of the basilar vascular system. Cases with unilateral VF abnormalities were mostly caused by vasoconstriction of the external carotid and the ophthalmic arteries, [anterior visual pathway migraine type]. Also, most of the cases with bilateral VF abnormalities were caused by vasoconstriction of the basilar vascular system, [posterior visual pathway migraine type]. Visual field plotting in these patients, proved to be most effective in localising the site of vasoconstriction