Are your headaches linked to your eyes?
Do you ever have headaches? It is not impossible that they are linked to your eyes! Certain vision problems can cause headaches:
-Eye strain (digital or not)
When we overuse the muscles that allow our eyes to focus, it can ultimately tire the eyes, which is why this condition is called eye strain. This problem is growing rapidly in this high-tech world in which we are exposed to many screens every day. Eye strain can also develop without screens, by reading or knitting for many hours without resting your eyes, for example.
- Farsightedness
Adults and children who have uncorrected farsightedness may sometimes experience a frontal headache. This is easily explained: if you are farsighted, it can be difficult for your eyes to focus on nearby objects, which can lead to eyestrain and headaches. As you subconsciously compensate for your farsightedness by concentrating harder, headaches can worsen and become more common, which is why farsighted people are more at risk of having headaches.
-Presbyopia
Around the age of 40, people begin to have trouble concentrating on nearby objects. Nearby activities such as reading or threading a needle are often difficult since the vision of the ones affected by presbyopia is blurred at close range. It is an inevitable condition known as presbyopia LINK that affects (almost) everyone at some point. Headaches can develop when presbyopes try to compensate for the lack of focusing power, which can cause eyestrain.
What if my headache affects my eyes?
Has this ever happened to you? There are certain headaches that can cause pain around and behind the eye. Some patients even report that they feel their heart "beat" in their eye and prefer to close their eyes to ease the pain. However, be aware that this type of headache is not necessarily associated with a vision problem, but keep in mind that a headache can be a sign that your eyes are changing and that it is time to schedule an eye exam.
What to do to avoid the headaches associated with these disorders?
If you suffer from presbyopia or farsightedness, it goes without saying that you need to take care of your eyes and treat these vision problems by wearing your glasses or contact lenses. We also strongly recommend that you see your Optometrist on an annual basis. If you look at screens several hours a day, try to observe the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look for 20 seconds at objects that are at a 20 feet (6 meters) distance. This will give your eyes a little break.
If you are farsighted or presbyopic, or if your work or lifestyle makes you watch screens for several hours every day, be on the lookout: you might get headaches from time to time. If the headaches are common and very painful, do not hesitate to consult your Optometrist or family doctor. It is also a good idea to keep a diary of your diet and activities just before your episodes of eye migraines or headaches to see if you can identify possible triggers that you can avoid in the future.
