Headaches and Vision
Headaches are a common problem patients encounter. Sometimes a new glasses prescription can fix the problem; other times the problem can be more severe or complex.
When headaches are located in the forehead, temples and/or around the eyes the headaches are likely due to changes in prescription. Focusing issues from excess computer use and/or reading can also cause headaches in this area. Anti-reflective coating and polarized sunglasses can prevent headaches caused by glare. Eye alignment should also be evaluated.
Cluster headaches are felt in or behind the eye. These headaches can be caused by caffeine, stress, nitroglycerin and/or tobacco use. For some patients the headaches are caused by narrow drainage strucures within the eye which require laser treatment to open the drainage structures. For those with normal drainage, the source of pain can be ovetaction of the trigeminal nerve or hypothalamus. Prescription headache medications are often required for patients with normal drainage.
Headaches in other regions of the head may indicate other issues. Headaches involving the back of the head often indicate excess stress and/or improper posture. Lifestyle changes to reduce stress and a visit to a Physician and/or Chiropractor are most beneficial.
Flashes of light with or without a headache may indicate a migraine. Any time you notice flashes of light in your vision have your eyes examined as soon as possible. These are the same symptoms that occur when experiencing a retinal detachment. Flashes of light that occur after a headache could indicate an artery-vein malformation and also require examination as soon as possible by an Eye Doctor, Physician or Neurologist.
Signs that indicate a medical evaluation is needed include: increaing frequency or intensity of headache, nausea and vomiting or other neurological signs with headache. Headaches alone aren't necessarily an emergency, but when other neurological signs are present a Neurologist should be seen immediately.
Function of the 12 cranial nerves cam be roughly assessed through basic neurological testing. Sense of smell can test the olfactory nerve. The optic nerve can be tested by evaluating the pupils responses to light. Oculomotor, troclear and abducens nerves can be tested by evaluating eye muscle alignment. The trigeminal nerve can be assessed by testing cornea and/or facial sensitivity.
A nice symmetric smile (facial muscles) can test the facial nerve. Rubbing the thumb and fingers together before the ear can test the vestibulocochlear nerve. Saying "Chicago" and checking gag reflex tests the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. Shrugging the shoulders tests the accessory nerve. The final nerve, the hypoglossal, is tested by sticking the tongue out and saying "aah".
Headaches should always be evaluated. For some glasses can fix the problem; for others a more in-depth evaluation is needed.
Summary
All headaches should be evaluated by an Eye Doctor, Physician or Neurologist
Vision related headaches are usually felt in the forehead, temples and/or around the eyes
A new glasses prescription, anti-reflective and/or polarized lenses can prevent some headaches
Headaches need to be evaluated immediately if flashes of light, nausea and vomiting, increased frequency or intensity of headaches or other neurological signs are present.
When headaches are located in the forehead, temples and/or around the eyes the headaches are likely due to changes in prescription. Focusing issues from excess computer use and/or reading can also cause headaches in this area. Anti-reflective coating and polarized sunglasses can prevent headaches caused by glare. Eye alignment should also be evaluated.
Cluster headaches are felt in or behind the eye. These headaches can be caused by caffeine, stress, nitroglycerin and/or tobacco use. For some patients the headaches are caused by narrow drainage strucures within the eye which require laser treatment to open the drainage structures. For those with normal drainage, the source of pain can be ovetaction of the trigeminal nerve or hypothalamus. Prescription headache medications are often required for patients with normal drainage.
Headaches in other regions of the head may indicate other issues. Headaches involving the back of the head often indicate excess stress and/or improper posture. Lifestyle changes to reduce stress and a visit to a Physician and/or Chiropractor are most beneficial.
Flashes of light with or without a headache may indicate a migraine. Any time you notice flashes of light in your vision have your eyes examined as soon as possible. These are the same symptoms that occur when experiencing a retinal detachment. Flashes of light that occur after a headache could indicate an artery-vein malformation and also require examination as soon as possible by an Eye Doctor, Physician or Neurologist.
Signs that indicate a medical evaluation is needed include: increaing frequency or intensity of headache, nausea and vomiting or other neurological signs with headache. Headaches alone aren't necessarily an emergency, but when other neurological signs are present a Neurologist should be seen immediately.
Function of the 12 cranial nerves cam be roughly assessed through basic neurological testing. Sense of smell can test the olfactory nerve. The optic nerve can be tested by evaluating the pupils responses to light. Oculomotor, troclear and abducens nerves can be tested by evaluating eye muscle alignment. The trigeminal nerve can be assessed by testing cornea and/or facial sensitivity.
A nice symmetric smile (facial muscles) can test the facial nerve. Rubbing the thumb and fingers together before the ear can test the vestibulocochlear nerve. Saying "Chicago" and checking gag reflex tests the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. Shrugging the shoulders tests the accessory nerve. The final nerve, the hypoglossal, is tested by sticking the tongue out and saying "aah".
Headaches should always be evaluated. For some glasses can fix the problem; for others a more in-depth evaluation is needed.
Summary
All headaches should be evaluated by an Eye Doctor, Physician or Neurologist
Vision related headaches are usually felt in the forehead, temples and/or around the eyes
A new glasses prescription, anti-reflective and/or polarized lenses can prevent some headaches
Headaches need to be evaluated immediately if flashes of light, nausea and vomiting, increased frequency or intensity of headaches or other neurological signs are present.
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