Eye Strain and Headaches
When the muscles in your eye have to work harder than they should, it can cause your eyes to become tired and aching, blurred vision, and, you guessed it, headaches. Eyestrain can be caused by conditions such as:
- Astigmatism. Here, because the cornea is not a normal shape, you have to squint to focus your vision.
- Hyperopia. When you are farsighted, your eye focuses images behind the retina instead of on it. This results in blurred vision, eyestrain, and headaches.
- Presbyopia. This is an age-related condition in which the lens becomes inflexible and hard. It is difficult to focus, and achy eyes and headaches are common.
The good news is that these vision issues can be easily corrected with prescription lenses or contacts. If you already wear glasses or lenses, you may not have the correct prescription. Your eyes change over time, so with an update, you can say goodbye to vision-related headaches.
When Headaches Are Caused By More Serious Vision Issues
Headaches may be caused by more serious problems, including:
- Glaucoma. Here, fluid builds up in the eye, increasing pressure. Headaches can be severe.
- Cataracts. Cataracts are usually age-related. The lens becomes cloudy, and it becomes progressively difficult to see. As this happens, the eye has to work harder.
These conditions can be treated. With glaucoma, treatment involves decreasing the pressure in the eye, usually with drops, oral medication, laser treatment, surgery, or a combination. At present, the condition is not curable, but it can be controlled. Cataracts can be treated with surgery in which the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens.
Headaches are a part of life; most of us experience them on occasion. If it is becoming a problem that is impacting your quality of life, it’s time to take action. Having an eye exam is a great step in determining the cause and moving towards treatment. Contact Asheville Vision Associates today.