Signs Your Headache Can Be Related To Eye Health

The causes for headaches can be manifold but eye problems are amongst the commonest causes for headaches in the young. Here’s how you can tell if your headache is related to your eyes

Eye Health

1. Headache Centered On The forehead: Eye strain can cause headaches, particularly in the current digital age. Constant focus on a book or a nearby screen such as a phone or laptop can cause the eye muscles to get tired and even have a spasm. This may cause mild to moderate forehead aches and heaviness around the eyebrow area. This is more prominent if you have not worn your prescription glasses while performing the near task. (Image Source: Pinterest/webmd)

2. Blurry Or Teary Eyes: Episodic blurring of vision and teary eyes along with a headache can be a sing of digital eye strain. If these signs are seen, it is important to move away from the screen, look at an object in the far distance and give your eyes the much needed rest. Also, it implies that you are blinking less than usual and need to make a conscious effort to blink your eyes. (Image Source: Pinterest/InspirationMin)

3. Headache Which Is Worse At The End Of The Day: Headaches which develop towards the end of a long working day can indicate eye fatigue. This is more likely if the eyes feel very tired and droopy and you have difficulty keeping them open. (Image Source: Pinterest/healthline)

4. Appearance Of Zigzag Lines Or A Temporary Loss Of Visual Field: While these signs are those pertaining to the visual system, headaches which present these features are more likely migraines with aura and have very little to do with an eye problem. Rarely, these may be triggered by prolonged exposure to a screen, flashing lights or a very bright light. These are self-resolving and require rest in a dark quite room. (Image Source: Pinterest/joyfulbelly)

5. Headaches Associated With Double Vision Or Pain Behind Eyeball: Headaches associated with an episode of transient or prolonged double vision or pain behind the eyeball or pain on eye movements could indicate inflammation or pathology in one of the four cranial nerves pertaining to eyesight and eye movements. This is a red flag sign and needs urgent attention as it can be sight or life threatening in some cases. (Image Source: Pinterest/webmd)

6. Fleeting Vision Loss: Episodes of transient vision loss lasting for a few seconds to minutes may be associated with headache in some conditions. These are mostly signs of vascular obstruction which may be caused by a clot or vasospasm and needs to be addressed urgently to avoid a bigger stroke. (Image Source: Pinterest/YourHealthDMV)

7. Headaches Associated With Red Painful Eyes And Colored Halos: If a headache is associated with a painful red eye or appearance of colored halos around light bulbs, it could be indicative of an acute angle closure glaucoma attack. These situations require urgent management in order to prevent permanent vision loss. (Image Source: Pinterest/medicalnewstoday)

Inputs By: Dr Digvijay Singh, Director, Noble Eye Care, Gurugram (Image Source: ABPLIVE AI)