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Can weak eyesight cause headaches?

Headaches are one of the most common reasons people come for an eye test. Often the eyes are part of the story, and the right spectacles or a few changes in screen habits help. Sometimes they are not, and the check-up rules the eyes out so that the real cause can be looked for. Rarely, a headache with eye symptoms is an emergency. This guide covers all three.

How can the eyes cause a headache?

When the eyes have to work harder than they should to see clearly, the strain can show up as a headache. Common causes are:

• Long sight (hyperopia). Young people can often see clearly by focusing harder, so they do not notice blur, only tired eyes and headaches after reading.
• Astigmatism, where the front of the eye is curved unevenly, so nothing is quite sharp.
• Near focus fading after 40 (presbyopia), when reading at the usual distance becomes an effort. See reading glasses after 40.
• Old spectacles or the wrong power, including spectacles borrowed from someone else, or ready-made readers that do not match your eyes.
• A big difference in power between the two eyes.
• Eyes that do not work well together for close work, or a hidden squint.
• Dry eye and long screen hours, made worse by air conditioning and forgetting to blink.

Short sight (myopia) mostly blurs distant things rather than causing headaches, though squinting to see the board or the road can add strain.

What does an eye-strain headache feel like?

• a dull ache across the forehead, the brows, the temples or around the eyes
• it comes on after reading, sewing, screen work or a long drive, and is often worse by evening
• it eases with rest, and is usually not there when you wake up
• it comes with tired, sore, watery or dry eyes, blur that comes and goes, or rubbing the eyes
• in children: headaches after school, avoiding homework, rubbing the eyes or holding books close

Headaches that are not from the eyes

Most headaches are not caused by the eyes. Migraine (often one-sided and throbbing, with nausea and dislike of light, sometimes with zigzag lights before it starts), tension-type headaches, colds and sinus trouble in the monsoon, too little water or sleep, skipped meals, high blood pressure and neck strain are all common causes. If your eye check-up is normal and the headaches go on, see your family doctor. Flickering lights or blurring that affect only one eye should be checked by an eye doctor the same day, even if they pass.

When is a headache with eye symptoms an emergency?

• Sudden severe eye pain and headache with a red eye, blurred vision, coloured haloes around lights, nausea or vomiting. This can be a sudden rise in eye pressure (acute angle-closure glaucoma), which needs treatment within hours. Emergency eye care at ReNew Vision is available 24 hours: call 072489 88039 and come in.
• A headache with sudden loss of vision or double vision, a drooping eyelid, weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion, or a sudden, very severe headache unlike any before. These can be signs of a stroke or another brain emergency: go to the nearest emergency department at once.
• In people over 50, a new headache at the temples with a tender scalp, pain in the jaw when chewing, or blurred or lost vision, needs to be seen the same day.
• Headaches that are worse in the morning or on lying down, with vomiting or brief greying-out of vision, need an urgent check. Signs of raised pressure around the brain can be seen at the back of the eye.
• A headache after a blow to the head or the eye.

See what to do in an eye emergency.

What happens at an eye check-up for headaches?

The eye doctor tests the vision of each eye, does a careful spectacle power test (in children sometimes with drops, so that hidden long sight is not missed), checks near vision at your usual reading or screen distance and how the eyes work together, measures eye pressure, and examines the front of the eye, the retina and the optic nerve. Read about the eye test for glasses and what a complete eye check-up includes.

It helps to keep a short headache diary for two weeks before the visit: when each headache started, where it was, how long it lasted, what you were doing and what helped. Bring your spectacles, however old.

Will spectacles stop my headaches?

If uncorrected power or the wrong spectacles are the cause, the right pair often eases eye-strain headaches. New spectacles can themselves feel strange for a few days while the eyes adjust, especially varifocals; read progressive or bifocal lenses. If the headaches or discomfort go on beyond a week or two, come back so that the power and the fitting can be rechecked. Ready-made reading glasses help only for close work, and only if they suit both eyes.

Habits that ease eye strain

• Every 20 minutes of close work, look at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds.
• Keep the screen about an arm's length away, with its upper edge at or just below eye level.
• Use steady, even light, and cut glare from windows and overhead lights.
• Blink fully, and keep air conditioning from blowing on your face.
• On long drives, stop for a rest every couple of hours.
• Drink enough water, eat on time and sleep well.

Blue-light filtering lenses have not been shown to reduce eye strain; see are blue light glasses worth it.

The Eye OPD at ReNew Vision, Vaddem, Vasco runs Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. Call or WhatsApp 072489 88039 to plan a check-up. For a sudden, severe headache with eye pain, come at any hour.

Questions patients ask

Can wrong spectacles cause headaches?

Yes. Spectacles with the wrong power, old spectacles, borrowed spectacles or a poorly fitted frame can strain the eyes and cause headaches. A spectacle power test shows whether your current pair still suits you.

Why do I get a headache after getting new spectacles?

The eyes and brain need a few days to adjust, especially to varifocals or a big change in power. If the headaches or discomfort go on beyond a week or two, come back so that the power and fitting can be rechecked.

Can screen use cause headaches?

Long screen hours can cause tired, dry eyes and headaches, especially if your spectacle power is not right for the screen distance. Regular breaks, blinking, good screen position and the right spectacles help.

When is a headache with eye pain an emergency?

When it comes on suddenly with a red eye, blurred vision, haloes around lights, nausea or vomiting. This can be a sudden rise in eye pressure. Emergency eye care at ReNew Vision is available 24 hours on 072489 88039.

Can a child's headaches be due to weak eyesight?

Yes. Children rarely complain of blur. Headaches after school, rubbing the eyes, holding books close or avoiding homework are reasons for an eye check-up. Hidden long sight is a common cause.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.