Migraine and tension headache in high-pressure and normal-pressure glaucoma

PURPOSE: To analyze the association of normal-pressure glaucoma and migrain e. METHODS: In a prospective study, 154 patients with glaucoma (56 normal-pres sure subgroup and 98 high-pressure glaucoma subgroup), 55 patients with ocu lar hypertension, and 15 control subjects were analyzed by means of a stand ardized questionnaire based on International Headache Society criteria. RESULTS: According to the questionnaire, 46 patients (11%) were classified as suffering from migraine and 20 (7%) horn tension headache (episodic and chronic). The prevalence of headache, migraine, and tension headache did no t vary significantly among control subjects, patients with ocular hypertens ion, and patients with glaucoma, but migraine was significantly more common in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma (28%) compared with control subj ects (12%; P < .05) and patients with high-pressure glaucoma (10%; P < .01) . CONCLUSION: The results suggest an association of normal-pressure glaucoma and migraine and a potential, common vascular etiology of both diseases. (A m J Ophthalmol 2000;129:102-104. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All righ ts reserved.)