There are different possible reasons for a headache; some more serious than others. Many people believe one of the leading causes of headaches is eye strain. It’s always a good idea to see a professional if you have recurring headaches to find out about any possible underlying causes. If you suspect it has something to do with your eyes, you should see an eye doctor. But how can you tell if it’s an eye-related headache? This post may be able to help you determine that.
Headache Associated With Eye Strain
When doing close work – such as sewing or using a computer – for a long time, you are using your eyes’ focusing ability, and that puts you at risk of developing a headache. Migraine headaches have long been associated with close work. Eye strain may also be traced to general vision problems.
When Eyes Do Not Work Well Together
There are people who have monocular vision, which means one eye does most of the work so they can see. Such a lack of balance between the eyes can lead to eye strain and headaches.
Borderline binocular vision is another problem. When you have borderline binocular vision, one of your eyes has a problem focusing or is misaligned. This puts your eyes under strain, which usually results in headaches.
An eye exam is necessary to determine whether you have monocular vision, borderline binocular vision or other vision problems that lead to pain.
Blind Spots and Severe Eye Pain
Blind spots and severe eye pain may be symptoms of ocular migraine. In some cases, an ocular migraine may cause vision loss in one eye. Blind spots, flashing lights and severe pain in the eye are not as common as other symptoms of a migraine, but they do happen. They should go away in about half an hour, but if such symptoms persist, it’s advisable to see a doctor. Ignoring them may lead to permanent blindness.
Although not all headaches are related to the eyes, some are so it’s important to take them seriously. Persistent or frequent headaches are a reason to see a physician. As for eye strain-related headaches, however, sometimes the solution is as simple as getting a pair of eyeglasses.
Guilford Eye Center is ready to help you with eye strain concerns. Call us today at (336) 292-4516, or use our contact page to set an appointment. We look forward to having you at our Greensboro, NC, clinic.