Is migraine connected with glaucoma?
Migraine is often associated with a form of glaucoma called normal pressure glaucoma. Visual symptoms experienced in migraine include zig zag lines, and headache. A patient drew their experience of visual symptoms and this is shown below:
migraine glaucoma image
Migraine is very common phenomenon and most of those with migraine do not ever develop glaucoma, but those with normal pressure glaucoma very often have a history of migraine. Often migraine may have occurred only many years previously. Migraine is a condition affecting blood vessels. It is believed that spasm of blood vessels in the optic nerve can affect perfusion (ie the ready flow of blood into the nerve) and therefore this increases the risk of developing glaucoma in some patients.
Various factors increase the risk of developing a migraine, including diet. The following have been associated with migraine:
cheese
chocolate
alcohol, particularly red wine
orange juice (rarely)
Other factors include "stress".