Headaches can be caused for several reasons. In fact, the scorching heat that troubles us this summer can also be a reason. For others, it could be an underlying condition, like a migraine, an infection, hypertension, or, in the worst-case scenario, a tumour. But did you know that headaches can also be caused by an eye problem? This means that a person having difficulties with their vision may also experience pain in different areas of their head. But how does one know if their headache is related to their eye health? The OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Vivek Singh, Senior Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, Maxivision Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, to get some answers.
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Headaches Related To Eye Problem
“Determining if a headache is linked to eye issues involves noting accompanying symptoms and patterns,” says Dr Singh, adding that if headaches occur after extended screen time or worsen with visual tasks, eye strain could be a factor.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) describes eye strain as tiredness that occurs from using your eyes intensely for a long time. This includes activities like reading, doing close work, or looking at a computer for prolonged periods. To find relief, one can take regular breaks using the “20-20-20” rule, which involves “resting your eyes every 20 minutes by looking at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.”
Other factors that can lead to eye-related headaches include eye conditions like uncorrected refractive error (such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism), presbyopia, and dry eyes, as per Dr Singh, who adds that ocular diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, optic neuritis, papilledema, etc., can also cause headaches.
He recommends looking for visual disturbances like blurriness, halos, or flashes of light, as they may signify underlying eye problems.
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Symptoms To Watch Out For
Symptoms indicating a headache related to eye problems include:
- Blurred vision
- Eye strain
- Sensitivity to light
- Pain around the eyes or temples
Additionally, Dr Singh warns against visual disturbances like halos or flashes of light. If these symptoms persist alongside headaches, prompt evaluation by an eye specialist is advised, he says.
When To Visit A Doctor
As mentioned above, the right time to visit an eye specialist is if headaches persist despite rest or worsen with visual tasks.
Diagnosis involves an eye examination to assess vision and eye health, followed by treatments depending on the underlying issue, ranging from corrective lenses for refractive errors to medications or surgery for conditions like glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by causing nerve damage in the back of the eye called the optic nerve.
Hence, early intervention is crucial for optimal management, the doctor notes.