European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND-One of the most common cause for headache among patients attending
ophthalmic OPD is uncorrected refractive errors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate
the role of refractive errors in the etiology of headache.
MATERIALS AND METHODS-450 patients with headache attending eye OPD in GMC
Jammu were included in the study. It was a crosssectional study. They were subjected to
visual acuity examination, refraction, slit lamp examination, fundus examination and
retinoscopy wherever required
RESULTS- Out of the total patients 40% were males and 60% were females. 41.1% of the
patients had astigmatism, 31.1% of the patients had hypermetropia. chronic type of
headache was more common (46.7%) followed by subacute 33% and acute in 20.3%. We
found that headache was seen more commonly in frontal area (57.8%) followed by
occipital (32%) and combined (10.2%). The most common type of refractive error in these
patients was astigmatism 41.1% followed by hypermetropia 31.1% followed by presbyopia
16.7% followed by myopia 11.1%. Amount of refractive error between 1.25D -1.5D was
seen in 40% of the patients, followed by 1.5 -2D seen in 24.4%, followed by refractive error
less than 1.25D seen in 20 % of the patients, followed by refractive error more than 2D
seen in 15.6% of the patients. After optical correction there was improvement in headache
of patients.
CONCLUSION- Refractive errors play a major role in the Etiology of headache, which
can be managed by appropriate correction of these refractive errors. So, early Diagnosis
and adequate treatment is important.