Eye headaches are a problem facing many teenagers and adults due to the influence of our daily behaviors and habits on triggering them, especially the daily use of mobile phones, watching TV, reading, or driving for a long time without giving the eyes the necessary rest.
What causes eye headache?
There are many causes that lead to eye headaches, including:
- الصداع النصفي
- Tension headache
- Cluster headache
- Sinus headache:
It occurs due to sinusitis, causing headaches around the eyes, nose, and forehead, and may affect the upper teeth.
Symptoms increase in severity during the day, and are usually accompanied by a high temperature, increased nasal secretions, and congestion.
- Eye strain:
This problem occurs when exposed to computer screens or driving for long periods, and includes a group of symptoms in addition to eye pain, including: inflammation and burning of the eye, blurred vision, and pain in the shoulders and back.
- Muscle tension
Spasm of the neck or face muscles or the muscles surrounding the eyes as a result of tension or incorrect sitting causes pressure on the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the eyes, which generates a feeling of pain around the eyes and head, especially in the back.
- Vision problems
When vision is blurred (such as nearsightedness, astigmatism, or wearing ill-fitting glasses) the eye exerts greater effort to focus. This constant stress on the eye muscles leads to internal tension around the eye, causing a localized headache behind or around the eye that increases with focusing.
- Inflammation or irritation of the eye
Infections such as conjunctivitis or iritis stimulate nerve endings in the eye, especially the optic nerve and trigeminal nerve, causing deep pain in and around the eye, worsened by exposure to light or eye movement, and accompanied by eye redness, tearing, or blurred vision.
- Dental problems
An indirect cause of eye headaches: an infection or abscess in the teeth or a disorder in the jaw joint stimulates the nerve responsible for the jaw and teeth, which passes near the nerve responsible for sensation in the eye, so the pain may move towards the eye, causing a pulsating headache, or widespread pain around the eye.
- High eye pressure
The optic nerve is severely affected when intraocular pressure rises (especially in acute glaucoma), and there is a disruption in fluid drainage within the eye, generating pressure and pain deep inside the eye that extends to half of the face, accompanied by blurred vision.
- Cranial nerve problems
Cranial nerve problems may be a cause of eye headache, as a result of the nerves responsible for sensation or movement in the face and eyes being affected.
What factors increase the likelihood of developing eye headaches?
There are many factors that increase the chances of developing an eye headache, including:
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What are the factors that increase eye headache?
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Constant exposure to screens without rest
Looking at screens or reading for a long time strains the eye muscles and increases the pressure inside them, which increases the feeling of heaviness or pain behind the eye.
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Inappropriate lighting
Bright or variable lighting, such as direct sunlight or strong fluorescent light, stimulates tired eyes and increases the severity of headaches.
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Stress and psychological anxiety
It increases the tension of the head and neck muscles, which increases pressure on the nerves associated with the eyes.
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Lack of sleep or disturbance
Inadequate sleep fatigues the brain and eyes, and weakens the body's pain resistance, causing headaches to worsen, especially upon waking up, or after a long day of concentration.
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Uncorrected vision problems
If the glasses do not fit properly, the eyes make a great effort to focus. This causes constant tension in the eye muscles and increases the headache.
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Dehydration and lack of fluids
Dehydration affects blood circulation, reduces oxygen flow to the eyes and brain, thus increases the severity of headaches, and makes the sensation of pressure behind the eyes more noticeable.
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Sinus diseases
Sinus diseases cause headaches due to the retention of mucus and swelling of the membranes, which increases pressure on the nerves surrounding the eyes, leading to increased pain and headaches.
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Skipping meals and low sugar
The brain and eyes need energy, so when you skip meals, the blood sugar flowing to them decreases, which increases the feeling of rapid fatigue and headaches around the eyes.
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التغيرات الهرمونية
Headache attacks increase in women during the menstrual cycle or due to taking contraceptives.
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Change in weather or atmospheric pressure
Sudden weather fluctuations affect blood circulation and sinuses, and can be considered a cause of eye headaches for some
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Strong scents or perfumes
Some people are sensitive to perfumes and smells, and they may increase eye headaches, especially in cases of migraines.
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Noise and loud sounds
It increases nervous irritation and increases the sensation of headache, especially if it is accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound.
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Stay away as much as possible from the previous factors, to ensure you avoid eye headaches.
Eye headache treatment
Regular non-prescription painkillers are used to treat eye headaches, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, especially in the case of mild to moderate pain. الصداع النصفي. وتشمل الأدوية ما يلي:
- Muscle extensor.
- مضادات الاكتئاب.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Beta blockers.
Research has also shown that using magnesium supplements may reduce the chances of eye headaches, and other types.
احجز استشارتك الان مع مركز العيون بمستشفى الموسى التخصصى
Ways to protect you from the risk of eye headaches
Be sure to follow the following tips to prevent the risk of headaches:
- Exercise daily
- Set a regular sleep schedule to ensure you get at least 6 hours of sleep.
- Avoid processed foods, fast food, and high-fat foods.
- Maintain hydration by drinking sufficient amounts of water for two days, estimated at 8-12 cups of water.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce your intake of caffeine-rich drinks such as tea and coffee.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule to maintain eye health, which means for every 20 minutes of looking at a screen, look at another place 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds.
Exercises to relieve eye headache
Eye headaches disturb concentration and affect daily comfort. Some easy exercises help relieve pain and improve overall feeling quickly.
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The 20-20-20 rule
Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This exercise reduces eye strain caused by screens and gives the visual muscles a simple but very effective rest.
2. Gently wrap the neck
Move your head in slow circles, clockwise and counterclockwise, to help relieve muscle spasms in the neck, which may put pressure on the eye nerves and cause a radiating headache.
3. Pressure on the temples and around the eyes
Gently massaging the temples and sides of the eyes in circular motions stimulates blood circulation and relieves muscle tension and pressure surrounding the eye and head area.
4. Deep breathing
Take a deep breath slowly, then exhale calmly while relaxing. It reduces the tension of the body as a whole and calms the nervous system, which contributes to alleviating headaches caused by stress.
5. Close the eye tightly and then open it
Close your eyes tightly for 5 seconds, then open them slowly. This exercise helps stimulate blood circulation around the eye and relax the internal muscles of the eye, which reduces the effect of the causes of eye headache.
6. Far and near staring
Focus on a nearby object for 10 seconds, then on a distant object for 10 seconds. It reduces eye muscle tension caused by fixed focus, especially while reading or using the phone.
7. Eye roll
Move your eyes slowly in a circular motion with and counterclockwise. This exercise helps activate the eye muscles and reduce internal stiffness, which is one of the most important causes of eye headaches.
8. Warm compresses
Place a warm towel over closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes. Heat relieves deep muscle tension and improves overall relaxation in the area around the eyes.
9. Massage between the eyebrows and the bridge of the nose
Gently massaging the area between the eyebrows and the sides of the nose helps reduce sinus congestion and pressure, which relieves headaches associated with the eye area.3
What are the methods for diagnosing cluster headache?
If the headache is chronic and lasts for long periods, you must visit a doctor to find out the causes and develop an appropriate treatment program.
The doctor relies on a set of steps in making his diagnosis, including the following:
- Medical history: The doctor knows the medical history, so that he can know the accurate diagnosis.
- Disease symptoms: The doctor asks about the symptoms and their severity.
- X-rays and laboratory tests: The doctor may use some helpful tools, especially if cluster headaches are the cause.
The doctor may use either a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to produce a detailed picture of the brain and blood vessels to ensure there are no health problems that might trigger the headache, or a computed tomography (CT) scan.
How do I know that the headache is from the eye?
Eye headaches are usually associated with eye strain and focusing on one task for a long time, whether looking at electronic screens for long periods, driving, or reading without giving the eyes adequate rest.
So if you continue to experience the following symptoms, the headache is usually due to the eye:
- Sensitivity to flashes of light.
- Severe eye pain.
- Blurred vision.
- Difficulty concentrating due to eye headache.
In conclusion, eye headache may seem like a simple problem, but if it continues to be ignored, it may exacerbate the problem and affect the extent to which daily life tasks are accomplished.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cause of head and eye pain?
Head and eye pain may be the result of many causes, including visual stress as a result of prolonged staring at screens or reading without sufficient lighting, or the result of migraine headaches that are accompanied by pain that pulsates in the side of the head and sometimes extends to the eye. The pain may result from problems in the sinuses, as congestion causes pressure on the area around the eyes and head, and in some cases the cause is high eye pressure or eye infections. Therefore, it is recommended to see a doctor if the pain persists or if the pain recurs in an annoying manner to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
How do I get rid of eye headache?
To get rid of an eye headache, it is recommended to rest in a quiet, dark place, and avoid prolonged staring at screens or strong lighting. Visual stress is one of the most prominent causes. Cold compresses can be used on the forehead or around the eyes to relieve tension, and drink enough water to avoid dehydration. Taking mild analgesics such as ibuprofen and paracetamol may also help relieve pain. If the headache is recurrent or accompanied by blurred vision or severe pain, it is best to consult a specialist doctor to ensure that there is no vision problem or increased eye pressure.
How do I know that the headache is due to vision?
The headache may be caused by vision, even if the headache increases after focusing for a long time on screens or books, or if you feel pain in the forehead or around the eyes, especially at the end of the day. Also, if you have to close your eyes a lot or have to move closer to something in order to be able to see it clearly, then this may be a sign of poor vision. Sometimes the headache is accompanied by dizziness or blurred vision. If the symptoms are recurring, it is best to visit an eye doctor to confirm whether you need glasses or if the glasses you are wearing need to be adjusted.
How do I know if a headache is caused by vision?
Headaches are caused by vision problems if they appear and intensify after using screens or reading for a long time. They are often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or pressure behind the eyes, difficulty concentrating, or blurred vision. It is possible to notice that the pain eases slightly when the eyes are rested and closed.
What is the best pain reliever for eye headache?
It is possible to use safe and fast-acting painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and naproxen, but if the headache continues and is accompanied by vision problems, you should not be satisfied with taking painkillers, but rather go to consult a doctor.
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