Increased Vagal Tone in Ocular Migraine

Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Migraine

Migraine headache and peripheral vasospasm have been identified as risk factors for glaucomatous optic nerve damage, with these conditions potentially decreasing autoregulation of optic disc blood flow, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1, 2

The Brugada syndrome research provides insight into how increased vagal stimulation and/or withdrawal of sympathetic activity can affect vascular conditions, which may be relevant to understanding ocular migraine mechanisms, as noted by the European Society of Cardiology 3
Migraine headache and peripheral vasospasm decrease autoregulation of optic disc blood flow compared to patients without this history, as reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1, 2, 4

Migraine headaches alone may actually decrease visual field sensitivity during the attack, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1, 2
Clinicians should consider migraine and peripheral vasospasm as risk factors for progressive glaucoma, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1, 2

Migraine with aura includes visual symptoms that last 5-60 minutes, with at least one aura symptom spreading gradually over 5 minutes, as defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 6
Visual auras are characterized by bright scintillating lights or zigzag lines, often with a scotoma that interferes with reading, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 6