The Connection Between Vision and Headaches

Sep 20, 2022 | Eye Health

Chronic headaches can be life-altering, often hindering your ability to get things done and even impacting your quality of life. If you suffer from headaches, you have probably explored potential causes and treatments. You may have adjusted your diet or made lifestyle changes or even visited your family practitioner without a positive outcome. Have you considered that the cause could be related to your vision? 

Let’s look at the major causes of vision-related headaches. 

Eye strain 

In today’s hi-tech world, most people cannot avoid spending many hours a day staring at screens and devices. Perhaps your job requires a lot of computer work, or you like to spend your downtime scrolling social media or watching Netflix on your mobile device. When you focus on a near task for too long, your eyes get tired due to overuse. Eye strain headaches can be frustrating when they make it difficult to focus on work, school, or other projects. 

Ocular migraine 

Different from regular migraines, ocular migraines can temporarily produce flashes of light, blind spots, zigzagging patterns, light sensitivity, vomiting, and nausea. These symptoms can temporarily interfere with certain activities, such as reading or driving, but the condition usually isn’t considered serious. 

Eye conditions 

Patients can suffer from several eye conditions that not only impact their ability to see well but can also contribute to headaches. They can range from mild to severe, such as dry eyes, ocular allergies, glaucoma, or optic nerve problems. During your eye exam, please let us know if you are experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms or recent vision changes.  

Prescription problems 

Even a small change in your vision can put undue strain on your eyes. Also, as we age it becomes increasingly difficult for the eye’s normal focusing system to handle various vision demands, such as spending long hours on a computer or focusing from near to far or far to near.  

Binocular vision  

The eyes were designed to work together as a team. When the eyes have difficulty moving or focusing together, this can create a strain that leads to headaches. This is a common cause of headaches and eye fatigue in school-aged children. 

Book an appointment at The Eye Center in Pembroke Pines  

Comprehensive eye exams are about more than good vision. For patients experiencing symptoms of headaches, we assess your vision and eye health for conditions that could be contributing to your headaches and eye strain.