Your visual and neurological systems work together to provide your sense of sight. Irregularities with either system may result in health problems. Read on as your eye doctor from EyeSite of The Villages answers common questions about the link between headaches and vision problems.
Q: How Do Your Eyes and Brain Work Together?
Light rays bounce off from objects across your visual field. They enter your eyes through the cornea, which bends them toward the pupil. The pupil will either widen or contract depending on whether you’re in a dark or bright space. Next, the light rays reach your lens, which focuses them on the retina, where they’re converted them into impulses that your optic nerve carries to the brain. Your brain, the occipital lobe in particular, interprets them as images.
Q: What Causes Headaches and Visual Disturbances?
Irregularities in your eyes may force your ocular muscles to work harder as a compensatory mechanism. This can cause stress in your eyes, resulting in eye strain and headaches.
Some neurological problems, such as aneurysms, brain tumors and strokes, may cause visual problems, as well. This is why an eye exam is often performed alongside neurological assessments.
Q: What Are Ocular Migraines?
Also known as retinal migraines, these are severe headaches that are primarily neurological in nature. That said, they can also be preceded by visual disturbances known as auras. You may see light flashes, dark spots and distorted images before having the migraine.
Q: How Are Ocular Migraines Managed?
First, we’ll administer a comprehensive eye exam to check your eye pressure, optic nerve and other related eye structures. This can help us determine if the problem is mainly neurological or visual. We may also assess your current visual acuity to determine whether you need a change in lens prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
To learn more about the link between headaches and eye problems, call us at (352) 504-4560. We serve Oxford and nearby FL areas.
