Dynamic visual acuity test findings of migraine patients: Observational case-control study

Objective: To evaluate computerized dynamic visual acuity (DVA) test findings among patients with migraine and to determine whether self-motion sensitivity and visually induced migraine symptoms that are seen in migraine patients can be explained by DVA results.

Methods: Twenty migraine patients and twenty control subjects were evaluated with DVA test during rapid horizontal (left and right) and vertical (up and down) head movements. The subjects were asked to quickly recognize the direction of the Landolt-C optotype on the monitor while moving their heads. Test began with the largest optotype and progressively decreased in size by 0.1 logMAR until the subject could no answer correctly state the orientation of the optotype. DVA test scores of migraine group and control group were compared.

Results: Patient with migraine had significant DVA loss as compared with control subjects in four positions (left DVA, right DVA, up DVA, down DVA respectively p < 0.001, <0.001 = 0.001 and <0.001).

Conclusion: Migraine patients were found to have abnormal DVA scores mediated vestibular-ocular reflex. These abnormal DVA findings can explain the pathophysiology of head motion hypersensitivity and visual motion sensitivity that encountered by migraine patients.