Fani, Mahya

Background Photophobia is experienced by most individuals with migraine, and it is frequently the most bothersome symptom other than headache. Light is not perceived uniformly; spectral composition and intensity influence discomfort and can exacerbate symptoms. While monochromatic green light shows therapeutic potential, it appears visually unnatural and is impractical for daily use. This study aimed to determine whether spectrally tailored white light, more visually acceptable in everyday environments, reduces light sensitivity among those with migraine. Methods Twenty adults (18–44 years) with episodic migraine completed two research sessions: one during an acute migraine attack and one between migraine attacks. Participants were exposed to four spectrally distinct white light conditions (red-, green-, cyan-, and blue-enriched) in a randomized order delivered at ten intensity levels (50–590 lux). After each exposure, visual discomfort was rated on a 0–10 scale. Pupil size was measured using a pupillometer. Repeated-measures ANOVAs examined the effects of light spectrum, intensity, and migraine state on visual discomfort and pupil response. Results Migraine attack status significantly increased visual discomfort ( F (1,19) = 25.84, p < .001, η 2 = .576). White light spectrum ( F (3,57) = 12.47, p < .001, η 2 = .396) and light intensity ( F (9171) = 124.30, p < .001, η 2 = .867) were associated with intensity of visual discomfort. Post-hoc analyses indicated that visual discomfort increased with increasing light intensity, especially at higher light intensities. Among all tested spectra, green-enriched white light resulted in the least visual discomfort; blue-, red-, and cyan-enriched white light produced significantly higher discomfort (all p < .001). Pupil size varied by spectrum ( F (3,57) = 14.13, p < .001, η 2 = .426), with green-enriched white light producing the largest pupil size. Conclusion Spectral composition, light intensity, and migraine state jointly influence both subjective and physiological responses to light. Across lighting spectra, lower light intensity was consistently associated with reduced visual discomfort, indicating greater visual comfort at lower intensities. These results identify green-enriched white light at lower intensities as a visually acceptable, migraine-conscious lighting option with potential for real-world application.

Abstract Background. Patients with migraine often have poor sleep quality between and during migraine attacks. Furthermore, extensive research has identified photophobia as the most common and most bothersome symptom in individuals with migraine, second only to headache. Seeking the comfort of darkness is a common strategy for managing pain during an attack and preventing its recurrence between episodes. Given the well-established effects of daily light exposure on circadian activity rhythms and sleep quality, this study aims to investigate the relationship between photophobia symptoms and sleep quality in a cohort of patients with migraine. Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using existing data extracted from the American Registry for Migraine Research (ARMR). Participants with a migraine diagnosis who had completed the baseline questionnaires (Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)), and selected questions of the ARMR Sleep questionnaire were included. Models were created to describe the relationship of photophobia and photophilia with various sleep facets, including sleep quality (SQ), sleep disturbance (SDis), sleep onset latency (SOL), and sleep-related impairments (SRI). Each model was controlled for age, sex, anxiety, and depression. Results. A total of 852 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis (mean age (SD) = 49.8 (13.9), 86.6% (n = 738) female). Those with photophobia exhibited significantly poorer sleep quality compared to patients without photophobia (p < 0.001). Photophobia scores were associated with SQ (p < 0.001), SDis (p < 0.001), SOL (p = 0.011), and SRI (p = 0.014), after controlling for age, sex, depression, and anxiety, signifying that higher levels of photophobia were associated with worse sleep-related outcomes. Conversely, photophilia scores were associated with better sleep-related outcomes for SQ (p < 0.001), SDis (p < 0.001), and SOL (p = 0.016). Conclusion. Results suggest that photophobia is a risk factor for sleep disorders in those with migraine. These results underscore the necessity for comprehensive and systematic investigations into the intricate interplay between photophobia and sleep to enhance our understanding and develop tailored solutions for individuals with migraine.