PURPOSE: To alert ophthalmologists that prolonged or severe postoperative periocular pain and nausea may be caused by migraine. METHODS: We examined two patients who had a history of migraine and had severe episodes of prolonged periocular pain and nausea after ocular procedures. Both patients experienced symptoms similar to their previous migraine attacks. In neither was pain alleviated by routine analgesics. RESULTS: Each patient had relief of symptoms within two minutes after intravenous delivery of metoclopramide hydrochloride. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should consider the diagnosis of postoperative migraine in similar patients and provide specific therapy such as intravenous metoclopramide hydrochloride.
PURPOSE: To alert ophthalmologists that prolonged or severe postoperative periocular pain and nausea may be caused by migraine. METHODS: We examined two patients who had a history of migraine and had severe episodes of prolonged periocular pain and nausea after ocular procedures. Both patients experienced symptoms similar to their previous migraine attacks. In neither was pain alleviated by routine analgesics. RESULTS: Each patient had relief of symptoms within two minutes after intravenous delivery of metoclopramide hydrochloride. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should consider the diagnosis of postoperative migraine in similar patients and provide specific therapy such as intravenous metoclopramide hydrochloride.