Could Headaches Be Caused By Eye Problems?

Headaches can not only be a nuisance and inconvenience, but they can significantly disrupt one’s daily activities. Chronic and persistent headaches can be caused by numerous factors and severely diminish an individual’s quality of life. In some cases, underlying eye problems can directly or indirectly contribute to head pressure and pain, compounding the discomfort and functional impairment.

At Riverside EyeCare Professionals, our board-certified ophthalmologists, Dr. Michael Sumsion and Dr. Sean Sumsion, are experienced in addressing a variety of eye conditions and understand how those can play a part in other health concerns. In addition to enhancing patient vision, they are dedicated to improving everyday life through safe and effective optical treatments.

Some eye problems that may cause headaches include: 

• Glaucoma – A highly common condition, glaucoma is caused by increased fluid pressure on the optic nerve. Along with blurry sight, light sensitivity, and halos, this pressure can lead to headaches, especially felt around the eyes. If left untreated, glaucoma may also result in vision loss. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, shunt surgery, and more. 
• Cataract – Another prevalent eye condition is cataracts. It often develops with age and is characterized by cloudy vision caused by protein buildup in the eye’s lens. Although it is typically not a direct source of headaches, cataracts can force patients to squint and greatly strain their eyes. This struggle can subsequently lead to headaches. The most effective treatments include cataract surgery and corrective intraocular lenses (IOLs). 
• Astigmatism – Astigmatism affects millions of people and often results in blurry vision and distortion. It is generally distinguished by an oblong and uneven curvature of the cornea. This can prevent light from focusing on the retina and creates blurriness. Much like cataract, astigmatism can trigger eye strain and difficulty focusing, ultimately evolving into headaches. By utilizing small incisions around the iris to help reshape the cornea, Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRIs) treatment can address minor astigmatism. 

If you are unsure what condition you may be struggling with, a comprehensive eye exam can help assess your symptoms so our ophthalmologists can determine the appropriate treatment approach for your needs. To learn more about the above eye conditions, or to schedule a consultation with one of our eye doctors, please contact Riverside EyeCare Professionals today.