Among patients with aura, 40% reported light as a migraine trigger, while only 5% of those who have migraine without aura did, according to a study examining the role of visual sensitivity during and between migraine attacks. Both patients who have migraine with aura and those without aura exhibited photophobia during migraine attacks, though patients who have migraine with aura were found to have higher levels of photophobia than those who have migraine without aura. The article was published online in the journal Cephalalgia in September.

The study authors emphasized the importance of investigating photophobia (and all kinds of visual sensitivity) in migraine research because it helps diagnose migraine (photophobia is a hallmark migraine symptom) and because it can contribute substantially to discomfort and disability in people with migraine.

Cucchiara, B., Datta, R., Aguirre, G. K., Idoko, K. E., & Detre, J. (2014). Measurement of visual sensitivity in migraine: Validation of two scales and correlation with visual cortex activation. Cephalalgia, 0333102414547782.