We’ve all experienced occasional headaches or blurred vision. Sometimes, it’s just a long day at the office or dehydration.
Headaches and blurred vision aren’t just random symptoms—they often have underlying causes that could signal eye-related issues. But what if these symptoms are frequent or you also experience nausea? That’s when it’s time to pay closer attention to your eye health and see your optometrist.
A comprehensive eye exam, including your symptoms and medical history, can help determine the underlying cause. After a diagnosis, your optometrist can recommend the appropriate treatment for symptom relief.
Causes of Headaches, Blurred Vision, & Nausea
Your eyes are closely tied to your overall health. When something seems off—like you’re dealing with frequent headaches, struggling to see clearly, or feeling nauseous while performing everyday tasks—it’s often worth investigating whether your eyes are the root cause. Here are some common eye-related causes of these symptoms.
Digital Eye Strain
Digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, could be the problem if you spend hours staring at screens. Ocular and nonocular symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Neck and shoulder pain
The constant focus on screens with reduced blinking can overwork your eye muscles and lead to discomfort. A tip for preventing digital eye strain is to take frequent breaks by following the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to focus on something 20 feet away.
Uncorrected Vision Problems
An uncorrected refractive error can force your eyes to work overtime, leading to:
- Persistent headaches
- Blurriness when focusing
- Eye strain
Sometimes, the solution to an uncorrected eye issue is as simple as an updated eyeglasses or contact lens prescription.
Eye Misalignment
Your eyes need to work together to focus. A slight eye misalignment or binocular vision dysfunction means your brain has to work harder to merge images, which can lead to the following symptoms:
- Double vision
- Eye strain
- Light sensitivity
- Headaches
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder with increased pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve at the back of the eye. There are no early signs, but over time, symptoms of glaucoma can include:
- Loss of peripheral or side vision
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Eye pain
While often overlooked in its early stages, glaucoma requires immediate attention as it could lead to vision loss if untreated.
Migraine with Aura
Migraines don’t necessarily start in the eyes, but they often cause visual disturbances or ocular symptoms such as the following:
- Flashing or zigzag lights
- Temporary blind spots
- Blurred vision
Paired with a throbbing headache and nausea and vomiting, migraines with aura can mimic other eye conditions. For this reason, it’s important to consult your optometrist.
Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, fluctuating blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred vision. Annual eye exams are crucial for early detection and protection of your vision.
When Should You See an Optometrist?
Many of us brush off symptoms like headaches and blurry vision as minor inconveniences, but could be your body’s way of sending a message to say something needs attention. Consider setting up an eye exam with your optometrist if:
- Your headaches occur frequently or worsen over time.
- You experience blurry vision all of a sudden.
- Blurry vision interferes with your ability to focus or complete tasks.
- You feel nauseous when doing activities like reading, screen time, or driving.
- You notice other troubling symptoms like double vision or pain in the eyes.
Your vision is too important to leave to chance. Your optometrist can help identify the cause of your discomfort, whether it’s a need for corrective lenses, treatment for a specific eye condition, or a referral to another specialist.
How an Eye Exam Can Help
A comprehensive eye exam doesn’t just check if you need glasses—it’s a full picture of your eye health. Your optometrist will:
- Review your symptoms and medical history
- Conduct comprehensive vision testing
- Examine your eyes for signs of infections, injuries, or conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy
- Offer personalized recommendations, from lifestyle changes to specific treatments
Prioritize Your Eye Health
Persistent headaches, blurred vision, and nausea shouldn’t be your “normal.” If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with Total Vision Ladera Ranch to get to the root of the issue.
Preventative care is key—regular eye exams are essential even if symptoms aren’t present. Your eyes work hard for you every day, so give them the support and care they deserve to preserve your eye health and vision.
