- Our Locations: Swan St Eye Centre - 03 9428 0402
- Dingley Eye Centre - 03 9551 4244
- Our Locations:
Swan St Eye Centre - 03 9428 0402 - Dingley Eye Centre - 03 9551 4244
Headaches are incredibly common and can have many different causes. Stress, dehydration, poor sleep, migraines and hormones can all play a role. But did you know that sometimes your eyes can contribute to your headaches too?
If you are experiencing new or recurring headaches, particularly if they seem to occur after reading, working on a computer or doing other visually demanding tasks, an eye examination can be a useful first step.
One of the more common reasons eyes can contribute to headaches is eyestrain. If your prescription is not quite right, your eyes may have to work harder to maintain clear and comfortable vision.
This can happen with an undercorrected prescription, including astigmatism or long-sightedness (hyperopia). You may still be able to see reasonably well, but the extra effort required to maintain clear vision can contribute to headaches, tired eyes and difficulty concentrating.
For some people, an uncorrected or undercorrected prescription may also act as a trigger for migraines.
It is not always about how clearly you can see with each eye individually. Your eyes also need to work together as a team.
Problems with focusing or coordinating the eyes can cause headaches, eyestrain, blurred or fluctuating vision and difficulty concentrating, particularly during prolonged reading or study.
This can be particularly important for children and teenagers, who may spend hours reading, studying or using digital devices without realising that their eyes are working harder than they should.
Digital eye strain is increasingly common. When we concentrate on a screen, we tend to blink less frequently, which can contribute to dry, tired and irritated eyes.
Taking regular breaks, looking into the distance and remembering to blink fully can help. If headaches continue, an eye examination can help determine whether your eyes are contributing.
While less common, headaches can sometimes be associated with inflammation or other conditions affecting the eye. For example, uveitis, an inflammation inside the eye, can cause pain, light sensitivity and headaches.
Certain people with narrow anterior chamber angles can also experience symptoms such as headaches or eye discomfort, particularly in dark environments when the pupils become larger. This is one reason a comprehensive eye examination is about much more than checking your glasses prescription.
Eye-related headaches often occur during the day, particularly around mid-morning, midday or later in the afternoon or evening after your eyes have been working for several hours.
If your headaches are new or recurring, particularly if they are associated with visual tasks, eyestrain, blurred vision or other eye symptoms, an eye examination is a great place to start. Your optometrist can assess your prescription, focusing system, eye coordination and eye health, and determine whether your eyes could be contributing.
However, headaches that occur first thing in the morning or during the night are less typical of visual strain and should be discussed with your GP, particularly if they are new or unusual for you.
And remember, not every headache is an eye problem. If your eyes appear healthy and your symptoms do not seem vision-related, your optometrist can recommend whether further medical investigation is appropriate.
If you regularly experience headaches, particularly after using your eyes, there is no harm in having them checked.
At Insightful Eye Care, we are passionate about providing personalised eye care and helping our patients understand what is happening with their eyes.
If you are experiencing headaches or visual discomfort, book online at our Richmond or Dingley practice, or contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Sometimes the first step in understanding your headaches is checking your eyes.
Yes. An undercorrected or incorrect prescription can make your eyes work harder to maintain clear vision, which can contribute to headaches, particularly during or after visually demanding tasks like reading or screen use.
Eye strain headaches typically develop gradually during the day, often around the forehead or temples, and tend to worsen with continued visual tasks. They’re different from headaches present on waking, which are less commonly linked to vision.
If your headaches occur during the day and seem linked to reading, screen use or other visual tasks, start with an optometrist. If they occur first thing in the morning, during the night, or are new and unusual, speak with your GP.
