What a Headache - Sorting Out the Routine from the Emergency!

Patients who develop headache often believe that it stems from an ocular problem and therefore present to their local optician/optometrist.  The common less innocuous causes of headache, such as migraine, will be discussed but emphasis will be put upon the small number of sinister headache syndromes that may require urgent referral to either ophthalmology or neurology services.

Speakers:

• Davies, Nicholas

Key learning points:

1. Focusing history taking and examination on particular symptoms and signs in order not to miss sinister headache syndromes.
2. Highlighting when and to whom referrals should be made in certain clinical scenarios.
3. Recognising optic disc and pupillary abnormalities associated with different headaches.
4. Identifying sight threatening disorders associated with headache in early evolution.
5. Developing differential diagnoses in binocular testing with particular reference to diplopia and headache.

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