Migraines start in eyes' light cells
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scientists may have found why many migraine sufferers are sensitive to light. Specialised nerve cells in the eye appear to trigger migraine headaches even in people who are registered blind.
About 85 per cent of migraine sufferers are "photophobic", meaning they react badly to light. Scientists studied photophobia in two groups of blind people. One was unable to detect light, while the other, though legally blind and unable to discern images, could detect light and was susceptible to photophobia.
"While the patients in the first group did not experience worsening of their headaches from light exposure, the patients in the second group described intensified pain when they were exposed to light, in particular blue or grey wavelengths," said Professor Rami Burstein of Harvard Medical School, who led the study, published in Nature Neuroscience.
The scientists found that specialised cells in the retina of the eye, called melanopsin photoreceptors, are involved in sending signals to the brain along the optic nerve. These cells can trigger migraine headaches and are the only functioning light-sensitive cells left in the people who are partially blind.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments