New research has found “significant associations” between dry eye disease and migraine, suggesting when they coexist, successfully treating dry eye disease reduces the severity of migraine.

A randomised, double-masked, crossover trial was conducted on 24 participants with both migraine and dry eye disease.

They received either Systane Hydration UD (Alcon) or saline eye drops (NeilMed) four times per day for four weeks each, with a two-week washout period between treatments.

Migraine severity was assessed using the Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaires. Dry eye disease was evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 (DEQ-5), tear breakup time, tear osmolarity, and corneal surface integrity.

The study found ocular lubrication was significantly associated with reduced migraine severity and dry eye disease.

Reference 1. Md Isa NA, Krishnan AV, Markoulli M, et al. A randomized crossover trial: The impact of ocular lubrication on migraine severity in persons with dry eye disease and migraine. Optom Vis Sci. 2025 Apr 1;102(4):183-188. doi: 10.1097/ OPX.0000000000002241.