Could Your Headaches Be Due to Eye Problems?
If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, you may be surprised to learn that the issue can stem from an eye problem.
Your vision and nervous system are tied together, and so, an issue with one could have an adverse effect on the other.
Sometimes, headaches brought on by eye issues are due to overuse or environmental factors. Other times, however, they may be symptoms of an underlying condition.
Below, Dr. Gregory Johnson at Intracoastal Eye shares how eye problems can lead to headaches.
Eye Strain Due to Overuse and Environmental Factors
Eye strain is the most common eye-related issue that can induce head pain. Eyes become strained when the muscles involved with focusing are overused.
Eye overuse can occur from staring at a computer screen for too long or from working in overly bright or dim lighting for long periods, especially if there’s a lot of reading or writing involved.
To reduce eye strain, blink often and give your eyes frequent breaks by following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Eye Conditions and Diseases
A number of fairly common eye conditions can also cause headaches or migraines if left untreated. They include the following:
- Astigmatism
- Nearsightedness and farsightedness
- Presbyopia
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
Some of these conditions, like glaucoma and cataracts, can lead to permanent eye damage and vision loss, so it’s important to go for regular eye exams, especially if you experience symptoms.
Other less common eye conditions associated with head pain include monocular vision, binocular vision disorder, and ocular migraines.
People with monocular vision rely on seeing through only one of their eyes, and the eyes of people with binocular vision disorder do not align or focus properly, which creates strain for the muscles in the eye.
Ocular migraines are more painful than typical headaches and are sometimes accompanied by flashing lights and blind spots in one eye, lasting up to 30 minutes. Ocular migraines can also lead to permanent vision loss.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are concerned your headaches may be symptomatic of an eye issue, whether it’s due to strain or a more serious condition, you should speak to an eye-care professional.
Call or email the team at Intracoastal Eye today to schedule an appointment with a qualified and experienced eye doctor.