What is eye strain?
When your eyes get tired due to continued use, then it is called eye strain or also known as asthenopia. An activity like reading, using a computer, or driving for long periods can cause this common condition. Eye strain itself is not a serious ailment, but can be disagreeable and there is a chance of headaches and concentration difficulties from it. This includes dry or watery eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and a problem of keeping eyes open.
What to Know About an Eye Strain Headache
Eye strain headache is a particular type of headache that appears when the eyes are overworked. These headaches also occur from prolonged screen time, reading in low lighting, or frequent exposure to a glare or acknowledged stress point, such as reading or performing a job requiring intensive visual effort for an extended period of time. Unlike a migraine that can cause sensitivity to sound and nausea, an eye strain headache is much more localized around the forehead, temples, around the eyes.
The headaches caused by eye strain are nothing serious, but they can become chronic and prevent you from performing your daily tasks. Other symptoms of eye strain that are often present accompany these and they need to be checked, while their root cause needs to be identified, as well as preventive measures taken. Knowing what sets these headaches off and how to stop them can help a person’s eye health and wellness.
Symptoms of an eye strain headache
Some of the symptom of an Eye strain headache may include:
- A dull, aching pain around the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Dry or watery eyes
- A feeling of heaviness in the eyes
- Mild dizziness or discomfort
- Tightness in the forehead or temples
Signs of an eye strain headache
In addition to the symptoms get Regular Health Check-Ups, here are some signs that indicate that the headache is caused by eye strain:
- Headache occurs after any prolonged screen time or reading.
- As the day unfolds it gets worse
- Resting or closing the eyes relieves eye discomfort
- Sore, tired or burning eyes along with the headache.
- You have to squint or adjust vision several times.
What causes eye strain headaches?
Factors that can lead to eye strain headaches include:
- Staring at digital screens for a long period is known to result in digital eye strain that ranks in the leading causes of headaches.
- Reading or working in Dim Light or Glare. Poorly lit conditions make reading and work difficult.
- Wearing contact lenses or glasses that don’t provide your eyes with the correct prescription will cause your eyes to fight against the lens or glasses.
- If you have an issue such as astigmatism, farsightedness or nearsightedness, those could cause your eye strain headaches.
- They involve Long hours of Focused Tasks such as reading, detailed work.
- Eye discomfort can occur because there is not enough tear production and therefore headaches can result.
- Stress and fatigue can cause increased eye strain.
What can you do to prevent eye strain headaches?
A good habit of eye care and simple lifestyle adjustments prevent eye strain headaches. Some effective strategies include:
To follow the 20–20–20 Rule: Every twenty minutes look away for twenty seconds toward something two decades away.
- Turning screen brightness and contrast so that it matches ambient lighting.
- Anti glare screens from screens and blue light filters from digital devices.
- Proper lighting if any lights in the room are turned on for reading or work.
- Frequently blinking so that the eyes remain moist.
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses of the correct prescription.
- Focusing and concentration when working can be helped with taking breaks at regular time intervals from any task that demands relentless focus.
How to Recognise a headache that may be due to eye strain or an eye problem?
Reducing overall stress by practicing relaxation techniques.
With eye strain headaches, you may reduce your headache development after prolonged visual tasks, but the headache will likely resolve with rest. Yet, some eye related problems can also trigger headache including:
Glaucoma – Increased eye pressure can lead to headaches and vision problems.
Eye infections – Conditions like conjunctivitis or dry eye syndrome may cause discomfort and headaches.
Scrubbing eyes into an eye infection – Given, infections of the eyes (conjunctivitis or dry eye syndrome) can be uncomfortable and painful.
If headaches persist despite making adjustments, consider scheduling an eye exam.Headaches and vision problems can be associated with glaucoma – increased eye pressure. That leaves eye exams by Doctor on call if headaches persist despite adjustments.
Waking Up WithAn Eye Strain Headache
It is frustrating to wake up with an eye strain headache. Possible reasons for this include:
| Cause | Explanation |
| Uncovered vision problems | Overuse of the eyes during the day can result in eye strain, leading to headaches in the morning. |
| Sleeping in an improper position | Poor sleeping posture can contribute to eye strain headaches. |
| Morning discomfort | Insufficient tear production during sleep may cause discomfort and contribute to morning headaches. |
Lack of sleep leads to sleepiness the next day and strain to the eyes. Avoid morning eye strain headaches by sticking to good sleep hygiene, drinking water throughout the day and up until the moment you are going to bed, and even considering using a humidifier if dry air is an issue.
What does an eye pressure headache feel like?
A typical eye pressure headache often begins as a feeling of stretching across the eyes and forehead. It may be accompanied by:
- A heavy or pressing feeling around and in front of the eyes.
- Pain that’s mild to moderate and increases if you use the screen for some time
- Discomfort when moving the eyes, but it is increased.
- A sensation of pressure inside the eyes
- Some other causes of such pressure headaches are sinus issues, glaucoma, or prolonged excessive screen exposure.
Tips To Get Rid of Eye Strain Headache
These tips relieve the headache associated with an eye strain:
- Shut your eyes for a few minutes, you’re probably looking at the screen.
- Placing a warm compress over the eyes and closing the eyes will relax the muscles in the eyes.
- Roll your eyes or focus on objects in the distance for a physical eye exercise to relieve tension.
- Gentle Massage of Temples and Eye Area, helps reduce pressure and improves circulation to the area of the eyes.
- How To Get Rid Of Dehydration Headache. Drinking Water Before Meals helps as Dehydration can cause worsening of headaches.
- Wash your eyes thoroughly, a bit of washing away the tears will go a long way towards relieving dryness as well as reducing the strain of vision.
Do I Need To Have My Eyes Checked If My Head Hurts?
If you frequently get headaches, especially if it is with vision issues, you should get your eyes checked. An optometrist can tell if a more severe vision problem than a strain or a sprain is causing your headaches. Eye exams that are within a regular interval, can prevent you from going into the state of not seeing permanently, or even kill you.
But if you still get headaches despite resting and making lifestyle changes, it is best to get medical advice from doctor at home, nurse at home to exclude other health problems. prevention is the key as it prevents long term problems and increases the overall eye health.
Treatment for eye strain headaches
- Treatment for eye strain headaches include:
- Treating dry eyes with help of artificial tears
- Practicing proper screen ergonomics
- Avoiding visual tasks for long periods of time
- Applying warm or cold compresses
- Yoga or meditation that helps in stress relief
- Seek the help of an eye specialist and have prescription glasses if needed
Book Your Consultation With HealthOne
Who deals with frequent eye strain headaches should book a consultation with HealthOne. The Nurse on call, Family doctors in dubai of our team can test your vision and suggest your own vision to remove inconvenience and improve eye health. Appointments can be made today.
Also Read: Boost Your Biotin Levels: Easy Ways to Increase Vitamin B7
Conclusion
Eye strain headaches are annoying, conditions that should be avoided with a few habits and good care for the eyes. If you know how to spot the typical targets, you can change the environment that’s causing the headache, and you can even get professional help when necessary, this can decrease the frequency and severity of headaches. It is important to prioritize eye health and be on the lookout to prevent extra discomfort and work to protect your vision ahead of time today.
FAQs
What is an eye strain headache like?
An eye strain headache is a dull aching pain around the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes. It is almost always associated with eye fatigue, dryness and blurred vision. Prolonged screen use or reading may cause the pain to increase.
What are ways to prevent eye strain headaches?
To prevent an eye strain headache, decrease screen usage time, practice the 20 20 20 rule, adjust the brightness of the screen, illuminate the environment, and drink lots of water.
What can be done to relieve a headache that is behind the eye?
Resting your eyes, taking a cold or hot compress, drinking enough water, and massaging temples and eye area will help get that headache behind the eye relieved.
Is dehydration the cause of eye strain headaches?
Definitely, reduction of tear production in dehydration can cause dry eyes which lead to a feeling of eye strain headache. Keeping the eyes in good health requires staying hydrated.
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