Does The Presence of Photophobia Affect Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Tension-Type Headache?

Purpose: The retinochoroidal evaluation in tension type headache (TTH) was aimed in this study. Materials and Methods: This case-controlled study conducted in Ordu University Training and Research Hospital included 92 patients, 62 of whom with TTH. Group 1 included 30 (32.6%) TTH patients with photophobia, Group 2 included 32 (34.8%) TTH patients without photophobia and Group 3 included 30 (32.6%) healthy control (HC) subjects. All patients underwent complete neurological and ophthalmological examinations including optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) value was measured significantly higher, whereas average ganglion cell-innerplexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, GCIPL in the superior and superonasal sectors were measured significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 3. Comparing Group 1 and 2, SCT was significantly thicker and GCIPL thickness in the superonasal sector was significantly thinner in Group 1. When total patients with TTH taken into consideration, TTH patients demonstrated a thicker SCT and thinner GCIPL thickness in the superior and superonasal sector than the controls. Discussion: TTH seems to demonstrate thicker SCT and thinner GCIPL in selected sectors, with the photophobia accentuating these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]