Clinico-Etiological Profile of Headache in Patients Presenting to Ophthalmic OPD in Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Headache is a common presenting symptom in ophthalmic outpatient departments, with various ocular and non- ocular aetiologies.  Aim: To evaluate the common ocular and non-ocular causes of headaches in patients presenting to the ophthalmic outpatient department in Puducherry  Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024. Consecutive patients with headaches underwent comprehensive evaluation, including detailed history, refraction, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination, and fundus examination.  Results: Of 101 patients evaluated, 74 (73.2%) were female and 27 (26.8%) were male. The etiological distribution was: primary headache (30.0%), refractive error (26.7%), computer vision syndrome (14.0%), medical causes (11.0%), anterior segment abnormalities (5.0%), glaucoma (4.0%), dry eye (1.0%), posterior segment abnormalities (1.0%), and posture- related causes (1.0%).  Conclusion: Primary headache was the most common diagnosis, followed by refractive error. Early detection through comprehensive ophthalmic examination is crucial for appropriate management and referral.