Eye strain is an uncomfortable symptom caused by a variety of activities. Spending extended periods of time in front of a screen, reading, or driving can all trigger eye strain.
Eye strain can lead to a headache, though not as often as many people think. Other types of eye problems — such as dry eye, injury to the eye, degenerative eye disease, uncorrected nearsightedness and farsightedness, and eye infection — can also cause headaches.
The exact causes of different types of headaches are difficult to identify, though there is a clear connection between headaches and eye problems. Most types of headaches — including migraines, tension, and cluster headaches — produce symptoms of eye problems. Likewise, eye strain is an identified trigger for some types of headaches.
Treatment of headaches is focused on reducing their severity and frequency. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are usually effective for treating headache pain. For people who regularly experience headaches, lifestyle modifications play an important preventative role.
The best way to tell if your headache is caused by eye strain is to eliminate the factors in your life that lead to eye strain. If your headaches go away, you can confidently link them to eye strain. If your headaches persist, worsen, or present with new symptoms, it is time to consult your doctor about potential causes and treatment options.
What Is eye strain?
Eye strain is best thought of as a symptom rather than a condition, explains the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). It has different meanings for different people. Certain activities will cause eye strain in some people, while others are unaffected.
Signs of eye strain
If you experience the following, you may be suffering from eye strain:- Tired eyes
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sore eyes
- Eye itchiness
- Tearing
- Dry eye
- Double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Shoulder and neck pain
- Problems with concentration
- Burning eyes
Causes of eye strain
Many different activities can cause eye strain that then leads to other conditions, such as headaches.
People who work in front of a screen for extended periods of time are at risk for developing computer vision syndrome and experiencing eye strain. Likewise, reading, driving for hours, or being exposed to hot or cold air blowing in your face can strain the eyes. Essentially, any activities that require focused, up-close work can result in eye strain over time.
Some people experience eye strain as a result of wearing an incorrect glasses prescription or working in too little or too much light.
Headaches & eye problems
Headaches and eye problems are often closely related. Headaches can be both the cause and result of various eye problems.
The exact causes of many types of headaches are unknown, though many different triggers have been identified.
Different types of primary headaches have distinct links to eye problems.
- Migraine: Often accompanied by visual disturbances, migraines can cause severe light sensitivity and pain behind the eyes. They may be caused by exposure to bright lights that strain the eyes, among other factors.
- Cluster: This is a severe and recurring type of headache. Cluster headaches cause intense burning and piercing pain behind or around the eyes. They can also cause watery eyes, swollen eyelids, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Tension: One of the most common types of headaches, tension headaches can cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes as well as sensitivity to light. Eye strain is a potential trigger of tension headaches.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of each of these types of headaches is unclear. They are often due to a combination of factors.
Eye problems are rarely the direct cause of a headache. They are more often symptoms of a headache.