Headaches commonly occur among people due to the stress they endure daily. Among other different causes, a strain on your eyes is a leading cause of head pain. Getting your eyes checked is ideal if you have headaches. The problem may not relate to your eyes. However, you will still need to take an eye examination.

Connection Between Eyestrain and Headaches

Looking at objects at a close range or for a long time causes the eye muscles to struggle to focus. Over time, they become tired and sore, as other muscles would after working so hard for so long.

Most individuals get a condition known as digital eyestrain due to using digital screens for a long time. You can also strain your eyes when you focus on one activity, such as reading, driving a long distance, or drawing.

Eyestrain can also happen when you try to focus in dim or very bright light. You will overwork your eye muscles by trying to squint so you can see better in such places. You are likely to experience this if you walk in darkness or drive a car without sunglasses when the sun is too bright. The eyestrain occurs when you overuse your eyes.

Untreated vision problems also cause eyestrain. You may need to see your eye doctor for prescription contact lenses or eyeglasses to help you see better. If you have eyestrain and already wear corrective lenses, you may need to change your prescription. Uncorrected vision causes the eye muscles to work harder to see images. As a result, your eyes become tired, leading to eyestrain headaches.

Headaches that occur due to eyestrain can be disruptive and frustrating. They make focusing on work, school, and other activities difficult.

Symptoms of Eyestrain

You can know you have eyestrain if you have the following symptoms:
 

• Dry or watery eyes.
• Sore eyes.
• Blurry or a temporary double vision.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Light sensitivity.
• Back, shoulder, and neck ache.
• Difficulty maintaining your eyes open.

Headaches Not Caused by Eyestrain

Most headaches that people experience do not occur due to eyestrain. Most individuals get tension headaches, which have no association with vision. If you wake up from sleep due to your head hurting, it is certainly not because of your eyes. Eyestrain headaches are also not associated with vomiting or nausea.

People with primary headache disorders such as tension-type headaches or migraines do not have eye problems. Interventions, such as vision therapy or wearing glasses, are generally not helpful.

Headaches Caused by Eyestrain

You can recognize a headache caused by eyestrain if it occurs after prolonged activity, such as focusing on a task for a long time. Your head will not hurt when you do not read, watch, or focus for long on something. The headaches will also not develop when you wake up from sleep. It always gets better once you rest.

Eyestrain headache has no association with digestive problems. You can feel the pain around or behind your eyes. You will always feel as if your eyes are sore or tired.

See Your Eye Doctor

It is essential to go for routine eye exams to ensure your eyes are okay. You will also get the opportunity to have your eye doctor detect underlying eye problems early. In doing so, they can begin your treatment to prevent further eye damage.

For more on eye health, call Clarity Vision at (919) 938-6101 to reach our office in Smithfield, NC.