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How Are Headaches and Vision Linked?

May 18, 2023

Get Relief from Your Headaches

Do you experience frequent headaches? It’s the worst, we can relate. It seems like one moment you’re answering emails, and the next you might want to just turn off the lights and lay down due to the pain.


We all know how painful and debilitating headaches can be, but did you know that your vision could be playing a significant role in triggering those head-pounders? Let's dive into the ways that vision problems can lead to headaches and explore how getting the right eyeglass prescription can be a game-changer.

man with headache

Eye Strain from Digital Devices

In this digital age, we're glued to our screens more than ever before. Unfortunately, extended periods of screen time can lead to digital eye strain, which can manifest as headaches. Staring at screens for prolonged periods causes our eyes to work extra hard to maintain focus. This can lead to strained eye muscles, dry eyes, and even blurred vision. The constant eye muscle contraction and focusing effort can trigger tension headaches. If you find that your headaches often accompany prolonged screen time, it may be a sign that you need to give your eyes a break and consider getting a proper eyeglass prescription.

woman with glasses

Refractive Errors and Eyestrain

Refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can cause headaches due to eyestrain. When your eyes are trying to compensate for these vision issues, it can lead to a constant state of eye muscle tension. As a result, your eye muscles become fatigued, and you may experience headaches as a result. Getting the correct eyeglass prescription will alleviate the strain on your eyes, allowing your eye muscles to relax and reducing the likelihood of headaches.

man with headache

Binocular Vision Problems

Binocular vision problems occur when both eyes don't work together seamlessly, resulting in eye strain and headaches. Conditions like strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes) and convergence insufficiency (difficulty coordinating eye movements) can lead to headaches due to the extra effort your eyes need to exert to achieve clear vision. A comprehensive eye exam can identify binocular vision problems, and the appropriate treatment, such as vision therapy or prism lenses, can alleviate the associated headaches.


Eye Fatigue and Tiredness

Fatigued or tired eyes can be a common trigger for headaches. If your eyes are exhausted from prolonged use, whether due to intense work, lack of sleep, or extended periods of reading, it can result in eye strain and subsequent headaches. Taking regular breaks to rest your eyes, practicing eye exercises, and ensuring you have the correct eyeglass prescription can help reduce eye fatigue and minimize the likelihood of headaches.

woman wearing glasses

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common age-related condition that affects near vision. As we age, the natural lens in our eyes becomes less flexible, making it challenging to focus on close-up objects. If presbyopia is left uncorrected, it can lead to eye strain and headaches, especially during activities that require prolonged near vision tasks like reading or using digital devices. By consulting with an optometrist and receiving the appropriate vision correction, such as reading glasses or multifocal lenses, you can alleviate the strain on your eyes and reduce the frequency of headaches associated with presbyopia.

man with headache

Improper Eyeglass Prescriptions

Wearing eyeglasses with an incorrect prescription can also contribute to headaches. If your prescription is too strong or too weak, your eyes will be working harder than necessary to focus, leading to eye strain and headaches. It's essential to have regular eye exams and ensure that your eyeglass prescription is up to date. By wearing the correct prescription, you'll provide your eyes with the optimal visual correction, reducing the chances of headaches caused by vision-related issues.


It's crucial to remember that everyone's vision is unique, and the causes of headaches can vary from person to person. However, if you frequently experience headaches, it's worth scheduling an eye exam with Chicago Vision Club. We can assess your vision, identify any underlying issues, and determine if an improper eyeglass prescription or other vision-related factors may be contributing to your headaches. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call and let us help you say goodbye to vision-related headaches!

woman with a headache
man wearing glasses
woman in field
woman with headache
woman with headache
woman with headache
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