Headache and eye pain is one of the most frequent complaints among the population. In addition, many people attribute it to the visual effort that is made in front of computer and cell phone screens or to daily stress.
Specifically, excessive visual effort can end up causing headaches. this kind of pain It usually begins in the frontal area of the head. although it can also occur on the right side of it, on the left, or on both, according to the Villoria Ophthalmology Clinic in Spain.
These problems range from physical fatigue, decreased productivity and an increased number of errors at work, to minor annoyances such as spasmodic and involuntary eye movements and red eyes, according to the specialized portal, AllAboutVision.
Symptoms
- Blurry vision.
- Headache.
- Irritated eyes.
- Discomfort with bright lights and screens.
- Lack of concentration.
- Poor near vision.
- Excessive tearing.
- Picor ocular.
Factors that affect and worsen visual fatigue
- Light sensitivity.
- Stress.
- Too much alcohol or caffeine.
- Smoke.
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid).
- Conjunctivitis.
- Dry eyes.
- Irritants in the environment, such as wind, bright lights, the sun, or air pollution.
- Fatigue.
For this, it is recommended to apply the “20-20-20 rule” when using digital devices: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen and allowing the eyes to focus on a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for 20 seconds or more. This reduces fatigue that could trigger eye spasms.
type of headaches
Here are some types of headaches that affect visual health, according to the Villoria Ophthalmology Clinic in Spain.
cluster headache
- It usually only affects one side, one eye and/or the upper area of one ear and can be accompanied by symptoms such as drooping eyelids, red eyes, tearing, nasal congestion, abnormal and permanent contraction of the pupil.
- The attacks produce intense pain and last between 15 minutes and 3 hours and are very frequent (on many occasions, they occur daily and even several times in the same day).
Sinusitis
Tension headache
- As usual. they are described as crushing headaches (“As if I had a helmet or headband on and it was squeezing my head”).
- The causes are associated with a period of stress or excessive fatigue, as well as adopting bad postures at work or in front of the computer.
- They can be associated with excessive muscle tension in the neck, head, or jaw. In addition, they are usually punctual and respond to usual analgesic medications such as ibuprofen and massages.
Migraine
- It consists of a severe headache that can be throbbing and throbbing. It can even be associated with other visual symptoms known as “visual aura”.
- Visual auras typically appear before the headache and consist of bright reflections obscuring part of the visual field.
- They are usually triggered by some situations such as caffeine withdrawal, lack of sleep, or the consumption of alcohol, chocolate and some cheeses.