Analysis of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Pediatric Migraine Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: We investigated disparities in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness surrounding the optic disc among pediatric migraine patients based on the presence of a concomitant visual aura.Methods: We used optical coherence tomography to measure RNFL thickness around the optic disc in children with migraines and no organic diseases, along with a control group of healthy children. Differences in RNFL thickness were analyzed based on the pattern of prognostic symptoms. Additionally, we investigated the effects of migraine duration and frequency on RNFL thickness.Results: In total, 45 children with migraine and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Among the children with migraine, 15 experienced visual aura, whereas 30 did not exhibit visual aura. Visual prognostic symptoms included blurred vision, scotoma, and scintillating scotoma. Seven children presented with blurred vision and scotoma, whereas eight reported scintillating scotomas. The mean RNFL thickness around the optic disc was significantly lower in patients with blurred vision and scotomas (89.19 ± 7.99 μm) compared with the control group (98.79 ± 8.49 μm), patients without visual aura (100.55 ± 6.43 μm), and patients with scintillating scotoma (102.21 ± 10.13 μm, p < 0.05).Conclusions: RNFL thickness around the optic disc was significantly reduced in children with migraine who reported symptoms of blurred vision and scotoma.