Persistent headaches have become common. But it is not just because of seasonal allergies, it may very well indicate towards a looming eye problem. Constant headaches have become seemingly common. While mostly we boil down the root cause to too much screen time, bad posture, etc. We have all suffered from headaches at some point or the other in our lives. Some mild, some severe and some fleeting. While the causes for headaches can be manifold, eye problems are among the most common causes of headaches in the young.
Here is how to identify when your headache is due to eye issues:
- Headache centred on the forehead: Eye strain can cause headaches, particularly in the current digital age. Constant focus on a book or 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 when performing the near task.
- 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.
- 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.
- Appearance of zigzag lines or a temporary loss of visual field: While these signs are those pertaining to the visual system, headaches which present with 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 very bright lights. These are self-resolving and require rest in a dark quiet room.
- Headaches associated with double vision or pain behind the 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 about eyesight and eye movements. This is a red flag sign and need urgent attention as it can be sight or life threatening in some cases.
- Fleeting vision loss: Episodes of transient vision loss lasting for a few seconds to minutes may be associated with headaches 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.
- Headaches associated with red painful eyes and colored halos: If a headache is associated with a painful red eye or the appearance of colored halos around light bulbs, it could be indicative of an acute angle closure glaucoma attack. These situations require urgent management to prevent permanent vision loss.
Headaches can be a sign of something as mild as an eye strain or something as severe as a stroke. Hence it is important to pay attention to the character of your headache to describe the same to your physician or ophthalmologist and enable them to decide whether you need further evaluation and management.
