Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Migraine Visual Aura: Heterogeneity and Overlapping with Other Paroxysmal Disorders

MAS Ahmed

Background: There is a considerable variation in symptoms of visual aura (VA) that occur in individuals who fulfill the ICHD criteria of migraine VA.  The precise mechanism of migraine Purpose: To examine the characteristics of migraine VA, and to compare its symptoms with that caused by other paroxysmal disorders (e.g. syncope and epilepsy). 

Method: A qualitative analysis of prospectively collected data, on characteristics of visual symptoms during attacks of migraine and syncope.  Diagnosis of migraine VA was based on the ICHD-3 beta. We provide opportunity for patients to illustrate their visual aura symptoms to aid in diagnosis.

Results: Visual symptoms were reported by 387/1079 (36%) of migraineurs. 172 (16%) patients fulfilled the ICHD Criteria A, B, C iv and D but missed one (43.5%) or two (56.5%) of the remaining items of criteria C   as the visual symptoms were of non-gradual spread (20%), appeared in both visual fields (58%), or lasted less than 5 minutes or more than 60 minutes (75%).

Conclusion: Symptoms of migraine VA varied considerably in duration, pattern, mobility, location, mode of onset and colours. Our findings and literature review support the heterogeneity of migraine VA and its overlapping with that of other paroxysmal disorders.

Published Date: 2020-08-29; Received Date: 2020-08-05