Headaches in children are common and usually not due to serious disease. However, frequent or severe pain can affect school, play, and sleep, so assessment is important.
Possible eye related causes
Sometimes headaches reflect eye strain or vision problems. Checking the eyes can be a gentle first step in understanding what is going on.
- Uncorrected long sight or astigmatism can cause brow ache, especially after reading.
- Squint and amblyopia may make a child strain one eye more than the other.
- Excessive screen time reduces blinking and leads to dry, tired eyes.
- Glasses that are too strong, weak, or poorly fitted can also trigger discomfort.
- Regular eye checks help pick up these issues early and protect development.
When headaches need urgent review
Most childhood headaches are tension or migraine type and improve with rest and simple pain relief. Some patterns and symptoms, however, should prompt same day medical advice.
- Headache that wakes a child from sleep or is worst early in the morning.
- Pain with vomiting, balance problems, confusion, or behaviour change.
- Headache with sudden vision loss, double vision, or very red painful eyes.
- New headache after a significant head injury or fall.
- Frequent episodes that interfere with school, mood, or daily activities.
