Introduction: Eye Strain and Headaches

Headaches can stem from various causes, but one common trigger is eye strain headache. In today’s digital world, too much screen time, long reading sessions, and poor lighting can cause discomfort and headaches. This is known as digital eye strain. Knowing how eye strain relates to headaches can help you take steps to reduce discomfort and protect your vision.

Eye Strain Symptoms

If your headache is caused by eye strain, you may experience:

• Pain around or behind the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision or difficulty focusing

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do my eyes hurt?”, eye strain could be the culprit. Unlike migraines, which often cause nausea and strong throbbing pain, tension headaches feel like a band tightening around the head. Headache behind eyes from eye strain typically originates in the eye area and worsens with prolonged visual tasks.

Causes of Eye Strain

Will eye strain cause headaches? Yes, digital eye strain is a leading cause of headaches and discomfort. It occurs due to:

• Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome.
• Blue light exposure from screens may contribute to fatigue and discomfort.
• Poor workstation ergonomics, such as improper screen height or glare, can exacerbate symptoms.

Other contributors include insufficient or overly bright lighting, uncorrected vision issues, and outdated eyeglass prescriptions. These factors force the eyes to work harder, leading to strain and headaches.

Prevention Tips

To reduce strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, optimize your workspace by adjusting screen brightness, maintaining proper posture, and ensuring your screen is positioned correctly. Scheduling regular eye exams is essential for detecting vision changes and keeping prescriptions up to date.

How to Relieve Eye Strain Headache?

If you’re looking for how to relieve eye strain headache, try the following steps:

• Take regular screen breaks and practice the 20-20-20 rule.
• Use proper lighting to reduce glare and avoid excessive brightness.
• Keep your eyeglass prescription up to date to avoid unnecessary strain.

When to Seek Professional Help

Occasional headaches from eye strain are common. However, if headaches are persistent or severe, it may signal a more serious problem. Seek professional care if you experience frequent or worsening headaches, nausea, dizziness, or difficulty focusing despite following prevention tips.

Consulting an eye care professional can help determine whether your headaches are related to vision problems or other medical conditions.

Book an eye exam with SightMD to get expert guidance and relief from eye strain-related discomfort.