Astigmatism has long been associated with visual disturbances. Yet, little attention has been given to the debilitating headaches often accompanying this condition.
It is no secret that headaches can significantly reduce one’s quality of life, hindering productivity and causing immense discomfort. Therefore, understanding whether astigmatism can cause headaches is crucial to alleviate these symptoms effectively. This article will delve into the intricate connection between astigmatism and headaches and understand what makes migraine and headaches different.
Can Astigmatism Cause Headaches?
Yes, astigmatism can cause headaches in some individuals. It is a common vision condition where the eye’s cornea or lens is irregular, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. This irregularity causes light to be focused unevenly on the retina, leading to difficulty focusing on near and distant objects.
Astigmatism headaches can be a common symptom of the eye condition, especially when it is left uncorrected or if the prescription for glasses or contact lenses is outdated or incorrect. The strain on the eyes to compensate for the irregular focusing can lead to eye fatigue, discomfort, and tension headaches.
Astigmatism and Migraine
- What is Migraine?
Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent and severe headaches that can cause intense throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head. It is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Migraines can be quite debilitating and significantly impact your daily life with its impact.
- Migraine vs Headache
| Characteristics | Migraine | Headache |
| Definition | Migraine occurs in recurrent attacks that are pulsating and throbbing pain on one side of the head | Headaches can occur in any region of the head |
| Intensity of Pain | The pain can be moderate to severe | The pain can be mild to moderate |
| Quality of Pain | Pulsating and throbbing | Tightening and pressing |
| Location of Pain | Can occur usually on one side | Can occur on both sides |
| Duration of Pain | Can last from 4 hours to several days | Can last from a few minutes to four hours |
| Symptoms | Sensitivity to light, certain smells, and sounds, vomiting, nauseous feeling, weakness in muscles | Aching and pressure in the head |
| Triggers | Change in sleeping patterns, anxiety, stress, overuse of medications, bright lights, and some beverages and food | Muscle strain, anxiety, stress, and strain in the eye |
- Astigmatism and Migraine: What’s the Connection?
If visual stimuli trigger you, eye strain can occur, and astigmatism can cause headaches. And since migraines are difficult to comprehend, it can be said that your astigmatism might trigger ocular migraines because of the involvement of neural pathways. While some studies are being conducted between the astigmatism and migraine connection, nothing is concrete yet.
Factors of Astigmatism That Might Cause Headaches
Some factors related to astigmatism may be the real reason behind the headache you get. These include:
- Distorted Vision
The main reason behind astigmatism headaches is eye strain that can be caused due to distorted vision because of astigmatism. Blurry vision may cause headaches because your eyes have to work harder to make objects, either distant or close, look clearer. When your eye muscles contract harder, it can cause fatigue in the eyes and trigger a headache.
- Eye Squinting
With astigmatism, you cannot see an object clearly, so you may need to squint your eyes for clearer vision. Squinting your eyes for longer periods can cause spasms in the eye and facial muscles. This may be the reason why astigmatism can cause headaches.
- Eye Fatigue
Eye fatigue can be a common downside of astigmatism caused by prolonged time spent focusing on a visual task. When you try to see an object that’s unclear in your vision, your eyes try to adjust to it constantly, leading to eye fatigue which can cause a headache.
- Poor Night Vision
People with astigmatism find it difficult to drive at night because it can blur their vision, making the street lights look fuzzy or streaky. Patients with astigmatism might also find lights surrounded by halos, making it difficult to concentrate on driving. This can be a reason why astigmatism may cause headaches. Astigmatism lights can exacerbate these issues, causing further discomfort and potential safety concerns for individuals navigating dimly lit roads.
- Other Eye Issues
Some factors that cause astigmatism can also cause headaches, but other eye-related issues may also cause headaches. These problems include far-sightedness, near-sightedness, and dry eye syndrome. Other more serious issues may include cataracts or glaucoma.
How to Get Rid of Astigmatism Headaches
Take a moment to rest your eyes by either closing them briefly or shifting your focus to a distant object. This practice is particularly beneficial when engaged in close work, such as reading or desk tasks, and should be done regularly. If you experience headache discomfort, over-the-counter pain medications can also provide relief.
How Long Does an Astigmatism Headache Last?
The astigmatism headache can last from one day to even a week, depending on the individual. Further, if you don’t wear the right number of glasses, you may see a continuity in your headache.
Visit Your Doctor
Astigmatism can be a leading cause of headaches if you do not visit your eye doctor for a check-up. If you continue experiencing the symptoms mentioned above that are causing you a headache, it’s better to contact your optometrist for early treatment.
FAQs:
- How do I know if my headache is astigmatism?
To determine if astigmatism is the cause of your headaches, you should visit an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They can perform a comprehensive eye exam to check for astigmatism and other visual issues.
- Can astigmatism cause tension headaches?
While astigmatism can cause visual disturbances, it is not typically considered a direct cause of tension headaches. However, eye strain and prolonged use of the eyes in the presence of uncorrected astigmatism could contribute to discomfort, which may manifest as tension headaches. When the eyes have to work harder to focus due to astigmatism, it can lead to eye fatigue and discomfort. This eye strain, in turn, may contribute to headaches, particularly tension-type headaches.
- Can astigmatism cause daily headaches?
Yes, astigmatism can potentially cause daily headaches for some individuals. When the light is not focused correctly on the retina due to astigmatism, it can lead to blurred or distorted vision. The brain then has to work harder to interpret the visual information, which can cause eye strain and discomfort. This eye strain, in turn, can lead to daily headaches if not checked.
