Headaches that accompany eye strain often arise when the visual system struggles to keep images clear and single. The cause may be purely ocular, neurological or a mixture of both.
Visual and systemic factors
Uncorrected long-sightedness, astigmatism or imbalance between the eyes can lead to frontal headaches after reading. Tension-type headache, migraine and neck strain are frequent non-ocular contributors that can be aggravated by close work.
- Symptoms linked mainly to near tasks suggest a focusing problem
- Double vision or eye misalignment can provoke significant strain
- Red-flag features such as weakness, speech disturbance or jaw pain require urgent review
- Both optometric refraction and medical assessment may be appropriate
