Headaches are a common complaint among both adults and children. The severity and frequency of headaches range from occasional to nearly daily. Headaches can be debilitating for some people, resulting in a lower quality of life.
Headaches can be caused by a variety of unexpected factors, such as an uncorrected vision problem.
If you are having frequent headaches, you must schedule an eye exam, even if it is just to rule out an eye issue as the cause. Not all headaches are caused by vision problems, and not all vision problems cause headaches, but there is considerable overlap between the two, and one must learn more about how eye problems are linked to headaches.
There are several types of headaches that can occur, including:
Overdosing on certain medications, dehydration, and eye problems can all cause headaches.
Eye strain is one of the most common causes of headaches associated with eye problems. Overuse of the muscles involved in vision focus can cause eye strain and, as a result, headaches. Staring at a computer or phone screen for an extended period of time is a common cause of eye strain.
Typical eye strain symptoms include:
Visual disturbances are caused by ocular migraines, which can occur with or without a headache.
Ocular migraine symptoms include:
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not properly shaped. It can impair vision and may cause squinting to help focus the eye. It can also cause headaches if left untreated.
Astigmatism symptoms may include:
Glaucoma headaches are most commonly felt around the eyes or on the forehead. Glaucoma occurs when fluid accumulates in the eye, causing pressure to build up. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss over time.
Most people do not have symptoms of glaucoma in the early stages, but when symptoms appear, they may include:
Cataracts develop when the eye’s lens becomes clouded. It is most commonly caused by ageing. As cataracts form, the eye may have to work harder to see. As your eyes work harder, you may experience eye strain and headaches.
Cataract symptoms include:
If you suffer from frequent headaches, an eye exam is recommended, especially if it has been a year or two since your last exam. Even if you believe headaches have a specific cause, eye problems like eye strain can contribute to existing headaches. To reduce the risk of further headaches, it is also critical to treat underlying eye conditions as soon as possible.
Headaches may indicate that you have a vision problem, and on the other hand, other eye conditions may also cause a headache. As a result, if you have headaches and/or vision changes, you should see your doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions.
Dr. Rajiv Bajaj, the best ophthalmologist at Bajaj Eye Care Centre in Delhi, can help you identify headache triggers and create a treatment plan that addresses the underlying problems. With help, you can finally get effective headache relief.
Contact him to get all your questions answered!