Eyestrain headaches prevail in people who typically take part in intense and prolonged use of the eyes to carry out certain activities such as reading, dealing with computers and owning cross countries. The headaches one feels when the eyes are tired and overworked are simply a symptom of asthenopia, or more typically known as eyestrain.
What Is Eyestrain and How Does It Cause Eyestrain Headaches?
Asthenopia or eyestrain is a symptom of tired, overworked eyes. People usually experience this when they focus their eyes on a repaired things for extended periods of time or if they attempt extremely difficult to see through bad lighting conditions or directed or reflected glare. When the eyes get tired, there is pain around the eyes which is in some cases accompanied by a headache.
Eyestrain headaches generally come into play when we ignore the fundamental symptoms of eyestrain and continue with our activities. Headaches that accompany eyestrain are generally mild and dull in nature. They are felt on both sides of the head, around the temple area. This headache doesn’t offer us the sensation of sharp or pounding pain like other types of headaches do, however it’s still quite uncomfortable and painful to those who experience it. The pain of headaches caused by eyestrain is thankfully workable. Nevertheless, in severe cases, one’s ability to work or focus on carrying out regular activities may be affected.
Headaches linked to eyestrain can likewise be brought on by underlying eye conditions such as refractive errors and difficulty in focusing, making it simpler than usual for the eyes to obtain worn out. The refractive errors and eye conditions that may lead to eyestrain headaches are:
- Presbyopia. The eyes have a difficult time focusing as the lens becomes more difficult and less flexible. This condition makes it tough for people to focus their eyes rapidly and appropriately, making them quickly prone to eyestrain and the headaches that include it.
- Hyperopia. Also called farsightedness, people with hyperopia have a tough time focusing on items that are close to them. Reading and other everyday activities require us to take a close look at things when we have a difficult time focusing, this may result in eyestrain and headaches.
- Astigmatism. This is a common eye condition where the shape of the cornea becomes abnormal. People with astigmatism find it hard to focus on objects at certain angles. Those who have this condition often need to squint their eyes to focus effectively, making it extremely easy to strain one’s eyes.
Treatment of Headaches Caused By Eyestrain
It is rarely essential to turn to over the counter pain medications to ease the pain produced by eyestrain. To treat the headache, we must, first and foremost, treat the reason for the pain. This indicates providing the eyes a break upon the onset of the headache.
- Closing one’s eyes and giving them a rest can often alleviate the headache.
- Massaging both temples with firm circular strokes can likewise ease headaches causes by eyestrain.
- If someone struggling with eyestrain headaches can not take a break from their work, it is also a good idea to adjust the room’s lighting conditions in order to put less stress on the eyes. When the eyes have adjusted and are operating normally with less strain, the headache will soon disappear.
- Those with eye conditions can likewise avoid frequent headaches produced by eyestrain by using prescription glasses and contact lens to remedy their eye conditions, making their eyes less vulnerable to tiredness and inflammation that can cause eyestrain headaches.
