Why Do I Keep Getting Midday Headaches?

Headaches are easily among the most common health conditions and nearly half the global adult population has had at least one in the last year. Of those people, 30% have struggled with migraine, and up to 4% of them have had headaches 15 days or more per month. 

While numerous factors can cause headaches, eye strain or eye problems often cause midday headaches. If you’re struggling with headaches, find help from the team of specialists at Bronx Eye Associates in the Pelham Gardens area of The Bronx, New York.

Common types of headaches

There are over 150 different forms of headaches, often categorized as primary or secondary headaches. 

Primary headaches

Primary headaches are those that are not caused by another condition. Many things can trigger primary headaches, including:

• Alcohol
• Certain foods
• Nicotine/tobacco products
• Sleep changes
• Exertion
• Hunger
• Eye strain 

These can all lead to primary headaches such as tension, migraine, cluster, and new daily persistent (NDPH) headaches.

Secondary headaches

Secondary headaches are caused by another condition. Dehydration, sinus problems, overusing medications, and even eye issues are common causes of secondary headaches.

Eye problems that can cause headaches

There are a few eye problems that can cause headaches, including:

Astigmatism

Astigmatism, a condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, is usually hereditary, though eye injuries, complications from eye surgery, and keratoconus can cause it. Headaches are a common symptom of astigmatism, along with eye strain, fatigue, squinting to see clearly, and seeing glares or halos around lights. It can also cause blurred vision, and make things harder to see in the distance.

If your astigmatism is mild, it may only require corrective glasses. However, severe cases may require LASIK eye surgery or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK eye surgery). If you also have cataracts, your surgeon can often treat your astigmatism at the same time. 

Computer vision syndrome

This form of eye strain is one uniquely caused by the extended use of digital screens, like computer monitors, tablets, e-books, and phones. We use these items more and more, and as we do, they force our eyes to work harder and can cause vision problems.

If you have uncorrected vision problems, they can make the problem worse. Headache is a common symptom of this condition.

Computer vision syndrome can be exacerbated by blue light from computers and other electronics. Blue light glasses block this light and can reduce the effects of computers and electronic screens on your eyes.

Eye strain

Straining your eyes is usually a result of looking at objects or screens at close range, leading to your eyes having to work more to focus. Staring at video screens for too long and looking at things closely under lights that are too bright or too dim can cause eye strain and headaches. 

Eye strain is generally managed by basic steps, like taking frequent breaks, blinking frequently, avoiding bright screens in the dark, using proper lighting, resting your eyes, and avoiding using contact lenses for long periods. In addition to corrective lenses, artificial tears and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can help.

Eye problems may be to blame for your midday headaches, but luckily you can treat the underlying cause. Make an appointment with the team at Bronx Eye Associates today to get relief from eye-related headaches.