Headaches are an incredibly common complaint, with almost everyone experiencing them from time to time. However, for some individuals, headaches can be a chronic and debilitating problem. While there is no single cause of headaches that applies to everyone who experiences them, there is one source that may be overlooked in the diagnosis process: vision problems.
Headaches as a Symptom of Vision Problems
For those who suffer from chronic headaches, vision problems can be an underlying cause. Issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can all lead to headaches due to the strain they put on your eyes.
- Refractive Errors
When your vision is blurry or distorted due to refractive errors, it causes you to squint and strain your eyes in order to see clearly. This constant effort can lead to fatigue, resulting in headache pain.
- Dry Eye Syndrome
Headaches are a common symptom people with dry eyes experience. It is a condition in which your eyes are unable to produce enough tears or maintain a healthy tear film. This results in dryness and irritation that can lead to headache pain. If left untreated, the symptoms of dry eye syndrome can worsen over time and cause further discomfort.
- Vision Correction
It is not uncommon for people who wear contact lenses or eyeglasses for the first time to experience headaches. This usually goes away a few days after getting your prescription as your eyes adjust. Visit your eye doctor if your headaches don’t subside after a week. They may have to adjust your lenses or frames to alleviate the issue.
- Visual Migraine Triggers
Visual migraine triggers such as bright lights and flashing images can lead to headaches for some individuals. These types of triggers cause intense visual disturbances, which may lead to migraines with associated head pain. It is important for those who experience these types of triggers on a regular basis, as well as any other type of migraine, to consult an optometrist in Arlington, VA, for an eye exam and determine the best course of treatment.
Schedule a Consultation Today!
If you are experiencing chronic headaches, schedule an appointment with the optometrists at Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry in Arlington, VA, to rule out any vision problems that may be contributing to your pain. Our eye care professionals can perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine if there are any underlying vision issues and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically for you. Contact us at (703) 413-1400. We also offer contact lenses.
