|
Vision-Related Headaches
It seems so many people are troubled by headaches these days. There are
more than 20 causes for headaches; some of which can be stress, sinus
congestion, and vascular spasms. Vision problems can also cause headaches,
but truthfully, vision problems are a less frequent cause of headaches.
But after saying that, please don’t rule out vision-related headaches.
Vision-related headaches are typically located in the frontal or temporal
(in front or above the ears) area of the head. These headaches can also be
located above, to the side or around one eye or both. Typically, the onset
of vision-related headaches is in the afternoon or evening, but not in the
morning. Morning headaches in this area of the head are usually
sinus-related headaches. Also, vision headaches usually occur less often
when vision strain is reduced, like on the weekends.
Straining your eyes through excessive reading or squinting at a computer
screen, for example, will fatigue muscles controlling eye movement. You
also may suffer vision-related headaches if you habitually work under
flickering fluorescent lights.
Sitting in the same position for extended periods of time, while reading
or typing on a computer, will certainly strain neck and shoulder muscles
as well as the eyes. While one might think of these headaches as caused
from vision, but are more likely tension headaches.
Narrow-angle glaucoma, a rare eye disease, can cause acute pain around the
eye, forehead, or temple region. Its symptoms mimic those of migraine or
cluster headache, so if you have either problem it's important to get your
eyes checked, both for this condition and for general vision impairment.
The following are some of the vision-related problems can cause headaches:
● Uncorrected astigmatism, myopia and/or
hyperopia
● Presbyopia; the difficulty focusing at near
(usually above 40 years of age)
● Accommodative Dysfunction; difficulty in
focusing clearly at near in younger persons
● Uncorrected refractive difference between
the two eyes
● Computer/Reading eye strain and/or squinting
● Narrow angle glaucoma
● An eye muscle imbalance problem
● An eye movement problem, especially saccadic
eye movements required for reading
Many times, vision-related headaches can be treated by being prescribed
eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the vision condition.
Headaches near or around the eyes that are present upon awakening are
usually sinus pressure/headaches. Symptoms of sinus-related headaches are
usually intensified when bending down picking things up from the floor;
increasing the pressure in the sinuses.
The Complete Headache Chart from the National Headache Foundation
The Headache Diary
Visit this link to view or print a very helpful chart to help you clarify
what type of headaches you might be suffering from. You need to have Adobe
Reader installed on your computer to view the chart. It can be downloaded
free of charge from Adobe. The Headache Diary is a form that you can print
to use to help document your headaches to help your physician diagnose and
treat your headaches.
This chart may help you in discovering your headache cause(s) and possible
treatment and I give it to all my patients suffering from headaches. This
chart is compiled and published by the National Headache Foundation but is
not meant to replace the diagnosis of your headaches by your doctor. It
may be a helpful tool in helping you differentiate your headache symptoms…
which ultimately may assist your doctor in diagnosing the source and
treatment of your headache problems.
The Bottom Line: If you suffer from chronic headaches, please consult with
your physician about the cause and treatment of them but don’t rule out
the possibility of your vision causing your headaches. If you are
suffering from headaches and its been longer than a year since your last
eye examination, call your eye doctor to make an appointment. Happy
Thanksgiving to All!
~RQ
Navigate back to "The Eye Opener" |
