Your ocular and neurological systems work together to create your sense of sight. Irregularities with either system may result in vision problems. At Neal Eye Group, we’re here to answer your top questions about how headaches and vision problems are related.
How Do My Eyes and Brain Work Together?
Light rays bounce off objects across your visual field. These rays enter your eyes through the cornea, the clear front “window”, which bends them through the pupil. They then travel to the iris for size adjustment based on the amount of light received, it has the ability to enlarge and shrink, depending on how much light is entering the eye. Afterward, these light rays are passed on to your lens, then through a gel like substance called the vitreous, which then focuses them onto the retina. The retina converts the rays into impulses, so your optic nerve fibers can carry them to the nervous system. Finally, the optical lobe of your brain interprets the light rays into images.
What Causes Headaches and Visual Problems? Irregularities with your eye structures may force your ocular muscles to work harder as a compensatory mechanism. This puts stress and pressure on these muscles, resulting in eye strain and headaches. Some neurological problems may cause visual problems as well, such as aneurysms, brain tumors, and strokes. These conditions may compress eye structures or reduce blood flow to them.
What Are Ocular Migraines?
A migraine aura which affects your vision is fairly common. You may see light flashes, dark spots, and distorted images before having the migraine. It may last a few minutes to 30 minutes, You may also experience a visual aura without an associated headache. Vision loss is usually not related to a migraine, it is generally caused by a more serious condition. If you are experiencing vision loss, see your eye care specialist immediately.
What Are the Recommended Treatments?
Our expert optometrist in Conshohocken, PA, recommends having a comprehensive eye exam for a more thorough assessment of your eyes. We can use various tests and procedures 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, and thus create an effective treatment plan to address your needs.
If you have any further questions on the relation between your headaches and eye problems, call us at (610) 813-2988. We will be ready to assist you.
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