Could Eye Problems Be Causing Your Headaches?
Headaches, particularly chronic ones, can be quite debilitating and have an effect on virtually every aspect of one’s livelihood. Millions of people in America suffer from painful headaches, and the precise cause can be different among individuals. One potential cause of a headache is an untreated eye condition. In fact, there are several eye conditions that may lead to lasting, uncomfortable headaches; however, the good news is that there are treatments available to address these concerns.
The first step in determining whether your headache is being caused by an eye condition is to schedule an eye examination. During the exam, one of our eye doctors at New Eyes will perform a thorough vision evaluation and talk with you about your symptoms. For some patients, the headache may be due to simple daily habits such as working in environments that are lit too dimly or too brightly, or staring at a screen for excessive periods without adequate breaks in between. For others, vision conditions that create problems with focus, such as presbyopia, far-sightedness, or astigmatism, may be causing the headache. Those common conditions can often be easily remedied with advanced vision correction procedures, intraocular lenses, or prescription eyewear.
In some cases, a headache can be caused by a serious eye condition that will need immediate treatment. Cataracts are one of the more prominent examples of an eye condition that can not only degrade one’s vision, but for some, it can also produce significant headaches. This is typically due to the progressive way a cataract clouds vision. Without treatment, the eye has to work even harder to maintain focus, which may ultimately lead to a headache. A condition such as glaucoma is another example of an eye disease that can lead to very painful headaches. Some types of glaucoma cause a buildup of pressure in the eye, which in turn may produce a headache in some individuals. Fortunately, there are treatment options for both cataracts and glaucoma that can successfully alleviate symptoms if the headache is being caused by those conditions.
Remember, there are numerous reasons why a headache can develop, and it’s important to consult with a doctor to determine what may be causing it. To be sure, eye conditions can definitely be a contributing factor, and a comprehensive eye exam is a good start toward diagnosing the problem and exploring a treatment solution that may help resolve it!
For additional information, or to schedule an appointment here at New Eyes, please contact us today.