Photophobia in migraine

Photophobia is a symptom of many ophthalmological, neurological, and psychiatric conditions and is also associated with certain medications. Dry eye diseases and migraines are the most common causes of this complaint. Although first described in the 1930s, the mechanisms that cause certain people to experience light hypersensitivity have not been well-understood. Photophobia is often debilitating and difficult to manage even today. Existing evidence supports the notion that photophobia is linked to neural dysregulation of the peripheral and central nervous systems, both in animal models and in humans. Moreover, enhanced activity of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide seems to be closely related to photophobia. Current therapies for photophobia include glasses that shield the eyes from specific wavelengths, botulinum toxin, and inhibition of CGRP and its receptor. Many individuals have persistent photophobia despite the use of these therapies, and thus, the development of new therapies is needed (i.e., treatment strategies which target neural pathways such as oral neuromodulators, transcutaneous nerve stimulation).

The scope of this Research Topic is to outline the current knowledge of the clinical, pathophysiological, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of photophobia in migraine.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews (along with any article type supported by the Journal), in the following areas:
- Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of photophobia in migraine.
- Psychological and neurophysiological clarification of the mechanisms involved in photophobia in migraine.
- Identification of new neuroimaging and neuroophthalmological biomarkers, including markers that may predict therapeutical response.
- New paradigms in the management of photophobia in migraine.
- Innovative therapeutic approaches for photophobia in migraine.