Neuro-ophthalmology
Are my headaches caused by my eyes?
Some headaches are related to the eyes, most often from an uncorrected glasses prescription, prolonged close work or a squint that the eyes are working hard to control. Many are not, including migraine and tension headache. Certain patterns, such as sudden severe headache or headache with vision loss, need urgent medical assessment rather than an eye test.
Headaches that may be eye related
- Ache around the brow or temples after reading, sewing or screen work, easing with rest
- Headache in someone who needs glasses or whose prescription has changed, particularly for near work
- Headache with a tendency for the eyes to drift or for print to double after a while
- Dry, tired, burning eyes from long screen sessions, which can produce a frontal ache
Headaches usually not caused by the eyes
Migraine often produces a throbbing one sided headache with nausea, light sensitivity and sometimes a visual aura of zigzag lines or shimmering that lasts twenty to sixty minutes. Tension headache produces a band like pressure. Sinus problems cause facial pressure with congestion. None of these are corrected by glasses, although bright light sensitivity may be eased by better lighting and tinted lenses.
Eye conditions that do cause headache
Acute angle closure glaucoma causes severe pain around the eye with a red eye, blurred vision, haloes and sometimes vomiting, and is an emergency. Inflammation inside the eye causes a painful light sensitive eye. Raised pressure inside the head causes headache with swollen optic discs. These are found by examination, not by assuming a link.
What to do
A full eye examination including refraction, eye pressure and a dilated look at the optic discs will establish whether your eyes are contributing. If they are not, the examination still provides useful reassurance and your doctor can pursue other causes.
When to seek urgent assessment
- The worst headache of your life, or one that comes on suddenly like a thunderclap, which needs emergency care
- Headache with loss of vision, double vision, weakness, numbness, confusion or fever
- Headache with scalp tenderness or jaw pain on chewing in someone over fifty, which needs emergency assessment
- Severe eye pain with a red eye, blurred vision and haloes around lights
- Headache worse on waking, bending or straining, with brief blackouts of vision
Frequently asked questions
- Can new glasses give me a headache?
- Yes, briefly. A change in prescription or lens type can cause a few days of adjustment. If it lasts beyond about two weeks, have the glasses and prescription rechecked.
- Do screens damage the eyes?
- There is no evidence that screens damage the eyes, but long uninterrupted use reduces blinking and causes tired, dry eyes and headache. Regular breaks help.
Concerned about these symptoms?
Arrange an eye examination with our consultant ophthalmologist in Garki, Abuja.
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