alternative treatment > Prism Eyeglasses...

Prisms and migraine headache cures...

At least two British studies have shown a relationship between the use of eyeglasses containing prism and a reduction in migraine headaches. The first was published in 1934, the second, 1956.

Turville's and Wilmut's conclusions have largely been ignored since 1956 and it is widely believe that vision problems are not migraine triggers. However, a search of the usenet archives maintained by Google Groups shows many anecdotal reports showing a relationship between migraines and eyeglasses.

Most optometrists avoid prescribing prism because, when incorrectly prescribed, it can cause headaches. Prism has been proven effective at relieving motion sickness, which itself has many symptoms that are similar to the aura that accompanies migraine.

Turville, A. E. (1934) Refraction and migraine. Br. J. Physiol. Opt. 8, 62-89, contains a good review of the literature and theories existing in 1934, and includes the vascular theory of migraine that is popular today. In that study, Turville suggests that many patients were provided with complete relief from migraine symptoms with proper eyeglass prescriptions that included prescribed prism.

Wilmut, E. B. (1956) Migraine. Br. J. Physiol. Opt. 13, 93-97, replicated Turville's work. Both studies are subject to criticism because of sample bias, sample size, and the lack of a control group.