Refractive errors in the etiology of headache in children and adolescents

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate refractive errors in patients who applied to the outpatient clinic with the complaint of headache, in whom no pathology was found in routine examinations and tests that can explain the headache. This study was carried out by retrospective analysis of the cases who applied to the outpatient clinic between 01.10.2019 and 30.06.2020. Cases in whom no pathology was detected in the routine examination of headache in the pediatric outpatient clinic were included in the study. Among these cases, those who were found to have eye diseases such as strabismus, glaucoma and optic neuritis, which may cause headache, were excluded from the study. Autorefractometry values were obtained in all cases after cyclopentolate drop application and visual acuity was determined with the Snellen chart. Complaints of patients with refractive error after appropriate treatment were questioned. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0, frequency, mean, Chi-square, One-Way ANOVA and paired samples t test were used. A total number of 68 cases (39M, 29F) with a mean age of 13.01 (7.00-17.00) were included in the study. 41 (60.3%) cases had any eye complaints. No refractive error was detected in 21 (30.9%) cases. Hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism were detected respectively in 20 (29.4%), 16 (23.5%) and 11 (16.2%) cases. While refractive error was detected in 47 of 68 cases in this study, it was determined that the headache complaint of 72.3% of these patients disappeared after appropriate treatment of the refractive error. Among the groups with and without eye complaints; a significant difference was detected in terms of refractive error (P<0.001) and presence of headache after treatment (P<0.001). This study shows us the importance of referral to an ophthalmologist in pediatric and adolescent patients who apply to the hospital with headache complaint, even if they do not have any eye complaints. Thus, both referral to higher-level centers for further research can be prevented and refractive errors that may lead to amblyopia and cause permanent vision loss for life can be detected at an early stage and be treated. © 2022 Cocuk Sagligi ve Hastaliklan Dergisi. All rights reserved.