Cosmetic Eye Surgery Reduces Migraine

Cosmetic eyelid surgery involving specific nerves gives relief from migraine, according to a study. 

The surgery involves making incisions in the upper eyelid to disable so-called 'trigger' nerves while lifting the lid. It is an alternative method to another surgery that is at times used to treat migraines. In that method, nerves under the skin are targeted but it is started from the scalp. Both procedures are known as trigger-site deactivation surgeries, researchers said in a press release.

Results based on 35 patients suffering from chronic nerve compression migraine headaches showed that the surgery eased migraine.

Certain neurologists have emphasized that both the procedures are not yet proven. But the surgery in certain cases has shown migraine improvement, researchers of the current  study explained.

"Ninety percent of our patients had over 50 percent improvement in their migraines," study researcher Dr. Oren Tessler, an assistant professor of clinical surgery at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, said, reports HealthDay. "After a year's time, 51 percent had no migraines."

"As a bonus they got an upper eyelid surgery," added Tessler, who is also director of plastic surgery at University Hospital, New Orleans.

"Surgery is a valid treatment for migraines in certain patients," noted Dr Tessler. "We believe that these patients should have ready access to migraine trigger site decompression surgery. Although larger studies are needed, we have shown that we can restore these patients to full and productive lives."

In the United States more than 17 percent of women and 5 percent suffer migraine headaches.

The study is detailed in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.