Three Potential Hidden Vision Problems Behind Headaches

Most adults will develop a headache at some point. Several factors can cause headaches, such as not getting enough rest, dehydration, and increased tension.  But if you get frequent headaches and are unsure of the cause, you may have overlooked one possible reason: your eyes. 

Problems associated with headaches can occur for a variety of reasons. Understanding the vision and eye connection to your headaches can help you identify the cause and get proper treatment to manage symptoms. 
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How can your eyes trigger headaches? 

Your visual system is not only made up of parts of your eye. Your brain works with your eyes to process visual information. Your visual system continually works to keep your vision stable and clear. 

If this system becomes under strain, muscular or neurological stress may lead to a headache. For example, the muscles of your eye are constantly working to align both eyes and help you focus and track movement. If something is not working as efficiently as it should, it can cause the eye's muscles to work harder, leading to strain.

Think about it like this, if you walked around carrying a light dumbbell all day, at first it might not bother you. But over time, you're likely to develop fatigue. 
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Common vision issues that may cause headaches 

Here are some of the most common triggers of vision-related headaches:

Digital eye strain: Digital eye strain occurs from spending time on devices such as computer screens, cell phones, and iPads. 

When you're on a digital device, you tend to blink less, and your eyes have to work harder because of the close proximity to the screen. This may lead to dry eyes and irritation, which can trigger headaches. Besides a headache, symptoms of eye strain can include blurred vision, tired or heavy eyes, and redness. 

Uncorrected refractive errors: Refractive errors occur when light does not focus properly on the retina. It may focus in front, behind, or unevenly. Refractive errors may include nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. 

This causes your eyes to continuously try to autocorrect the blur by adjusting your focus, which makes your eyes work harder, possibly causing a headache. In addition to headaches, symptoms may include eye fatigue and squinting to see clearly.

Dry eye syndrome: When you think of headaches, dry eye syndrome may not top your list of possible causes. However, dry eyes can lead to light sensitivity and eye strain and may trigger a tension headache. Chronic dry eye may also affect the trigeminal nerve, leading to referred pain and a headache. Additional symptoms of dry eye include burning, red eyes, and a gritty feeling in the eye. 
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Signs headaches may be vision related 

Headaches are caused by several things. Signs your headaches may be vision-related include the following:

• Headaches occur after screen use
• Pain is located around the eyes or forehead
• Symptoms improve when you rest your eyes
• A headache is accompanied by blurred vision 

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What can you do?

There are ways to combat vision-related headaches before they start, such as:

• Get regular eye exams to identify refractive errors and correct as needed.
• Stay well hydrated to help support your tear film.
• Use proper lighting to optimize your visual environment.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: look 20 ft away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to give your eyes a break.
• Prioritize getting proper rest.

If you're suffering from frequent headaches, it's important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor can help rule out serious underlying vision conditions, provide updated prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, and discuss dry eye treatments. 

If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Also, if you would like to schedule an eye appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.