Blurry vision and headaches often go together, making both conditions more frustrating and difficult to manage.
If you are someone that frequently notices headaches accompanying blurry and dim vision, you are not alone.
Numerous medical conditions could play a role in developing both of these conditions at the same time, and we are here to help you make sense of it all.
While you should always consult your doctor or optometrist for all medical advice related to the symptoms you experience, this article discusses some of the most common reasons for blurry vision & headaches.
Migraine
One of the biggest reasons you may have blurry vision and headaches at the same time is migraines. Described by many as an intense headache that often involves light and sound sensitivity, migraines are a common condition that affect more than 30 million people in the United States alone (approximately 10% of the population).
Blurry vision can be another associated symptom of migraines, as some patients note that blurry vision is an “early warning sign” for migraine onset, meaning it comes on right before the headache develops.
From there, the pain often becomes elevated as the person gets exposed to light, noise, or movement.
It used to be thought that changes in blood flow to the brain caused migraines; and while migraine pathology is not incredibly well-understood, there is evidence that suggests changes in blood flow do occur during a migraine episode. Changes in the flow of blood through vessels that supply the eye could therefore be related to the blurriness and vision changes.
Although there’s no cure for migraines, you should contact your doctor when the migraine symptoms appear.
A custom treatment plan that includes preventive plans and medications can help to manage your symptoms.
Trauma
If you experience an accident in which you hit your head or experience severe blood loss, and suddenly begin experiencing headache and blurred vision, it could be trauma.
While the exact diagnosis is highly dependent on what happened, severe injuries such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or skull fractures could cause a headache and blurred vision.
Such conditions are medical emergencies, and you should go to see your doctor immediately.
Related article: Dizziness & Blurry Vision: What Do They Mean?
Eyestrain
Eyestrain is a common condition that results from the overuse of digital screens like smartphones, TVs, and laptops.
One easy way to check for yourself whether your eyes are overstrained is to monitor whether you have the tendency to squint while looking at screens.
If you squint more frequently as the day goes on, it may indicate that your eyes are strained. Eyestrain is usually not serious and goes away once you rest your eyes or take other steps to reduce the stress on your eyes.
If your eyes are strained, consider getting an updated glasses prescription from your eye doctor (don't forget your frames!).
Of course you could consider blue light glasses, but the verdict is still out on those.
Remember, its always good to practice the 20-20-20 rule to help with strained eyes from digital devices.
Conclusion
Blurry vision and headaches often go hand in hand as any medical conditions that result in blurry vision could also give you a severe headache.
As with any health concern. It is important to call your doctor to make sure you are not experiencing and serious health conditions.
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