Dry eyes and headaches are 2 common conditions that can often occur simultaneously, leaving many people wondering if there’s a link between them. While dry eyes don’t directly cause headaches or migraines, there may be certain factors that can contribute to both conditions occurring at the same time.
If you’re experiencing dry eye & headache symptoms, you should make an appointment with your optometrist so they can properly diagnose what may be causing your dry eye or your headaches.
What Are Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes happen when the tear film on the surface of the eye is disrupted, causing irritation, inflammation, and discomfort. The tear film is a thin layer of tears that coats the surface of the eye and helps to keep it moist and lubricated.
Tears are essential for maintaining healthy vision and protecting the eye from foreign particles and infections.
Types of Dry Eye Disease
There are 2 main types of dry eye disease: aqueous deficiency and evaporative dry eye.
Aqueous deficiency occurs when the lacrimal glands, which produce the watery layer of tears, don’t produce enough. This type of dry eye disease accounts for about 10% of all cases.
Evaporative dry eye occurs when the meibomian glands, which produce the oil layer in tears, get clogged or don’t function properly. This type of dry eye disease accounts for about 85% of all cases.
Symptoms of dry eyes may include:
- Dryness and irritation of the eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Stinging or burning sensations in the eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- A feeling of something being stuck in the eyes
- Eye strain or blurred vision
Dry eyes and headaches are 2 common conditions that can often occur simultaneously, leaving many people wondering if there’s a link between them. While dry eyes don’t directly cause headaches or migraines, there may be certain factors that can contribute to both conditions occurring at the same time.
If you’re experiencing dry eye & headache symptoms, you should make an appointment with your optometrist so they can properly diagnose what may be causing your dry eye or your headaches.
What Are Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes happen when the tear film on the surface of the eye is disrupted, causing irritation, inflammation, and discomfort. The tear film is a thin layer of tears that coats the surface of the eye and helps to keep it moist and lubricated.
Tears are essential for maintaining healthy vision and protecting the eye from foreign particles and infections.
Types of Dry Eye Disease
There are 2 main types of dry eye disease: aqueous deficiency and evaporative dry eye.
Aqueous deficiency occurs when the lacrimal glands, which produce the watery layer of tears, don’t produce enough. This type of dry eye disease accounts for about 10% of all cases.
Evaporative dry eye occurs when the meibomian glands, which produce the oil layer in tears, get clogged or don’t function properly. This type of dry eye disease accounts for about 85% of all cases.
Symptoms of dry eyes may include:
- Dryness and irritation of the eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Stinging or burning sensations in the eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- A feeling of something being stuck in the eyes
- Eye strain or blurred vision
Is There a Link Between Headaches & Dry Eyes?
While the exact link between dry eyes and headaches isn’t fully understood, there are several potential associations between these conditions.
Screen Time
One possible link is the use of screens, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. Spending long periods of time in front of screens can cause dry eyes due to the reduced blink rate and increased exposure to blue light.
Neck pain and exposure to light from long-term computer work are also common triggers for headaches & migraines.
Headaches with Eye Pain
Another possible link is cluster headaches, which are severe headaches that usually affect only one side of the head. Some people report experiencing pain or a stabbing sensation in or near the eye, which may be mistaken for dry eyes or believed to be caused by dry eyes.
Sjörgen’s Syndrome
Sjörgen’s syndrome is another condition that may be associated with both dry eyes and headaches. Sjörgen’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissue, including the glands that produce tears.
This can lead to problems with tear production, resulting in dry eyes. It can also cause:
- Joint pain
- Tension
- Headaches
Eye Strain
Eye strain is another factor that may contribute to both dry eyes and headaches. Eye strain can occur when the eyes are overworked or strained, such as when staring at a screen for an extended period.
In addition to causing dryness and tiredness in the eyes, eye strain may also lead to headaches and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.
Are There Treatments for Dry Eyes?
If you’re experiencing dry eyes and headaches, it’s important to consult with an eye doctor to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. A thorough eye exam can help to identify any underlying issues and determine the best course of treatment.
Treatment for dry eyes may include any of the following:
- Punctal plugs are tiny collagen or silicone plugs that are inserted into the tear ducts to reduce tear evaporation.
- Artificial tears can also be used to lubricate the eyes and provide temporary relief from dryness and discomfort.
- BlephEx treatment is another option that involves removing bacteria and toxins from the eyelashes and lash line to help reduce inflammation.
- Lipiflow is a device that uses heat and pressure to massage the eyelids gently to unblock the meibomian glands and improve the quality of the eye’s oil layer.
- Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). During IPL treatment, intense pulses of visible and infrared light are applied to the eyelids. Each treatment lasts approximately 20 minutes. Multiple treatment sessions are usually scheduled about a month apart to achieve long-term results.
Treating Dry Eyes at EyeZone Nevada
Dry eyes and headaches can often occur together. Despite this, research doesn’t show a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between them.
If you’re experiencing dry eyes and headaches, schedule an appointment with EyeZone Nevada to discuss treatment options. Our dry eye relief clinic aims to diagnose and treat even the most severe cases of dry eye disease.
Is There a Link Between Headaches & Dry Eyes?
While the exact link between dry eyes and headaches isn’t fully understood, there are several potential associations between these conditions.
Screen Time
One possible link is the use of screens, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. Spending long periods of time in front of screens can cause dry eyes due to the reduced blink rate and increased exposure to blue light.
Neck pain and exposure to light from long-term computer work are also common triggers for headaches & migraines.
Headaches with Eye Pain
Another possible link is cluster headaches, which are severe headaches that usually affect only one side of the head. Some people report experiencing pain or a stabbing sensation in or near the eye, which may be mistaken for dry eyes or believed to be caused by dry eyes.
Sjörgen’s Syndrome
Sjörgen’s syndrome is another condition that may be associated with both dry eyes and headaches. Sjörgen’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissue, including the glands that produce tears.
This can lead to problems with tear production, resulting in dry eyes. It can also cause:
- Joint pain
- Tension
- Headaches
Eye Strain
Eye strain is another factor that may contribute to both dry eyes and headaches. Eye strain can occur when the eyes are overworked or strained, such as when staring at a screen for an extended period.
In addition to causing dryness and tiredness in the eyes, eye strain may also lead to headaches and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.
Are There Treatments for Dry Eyes?
If you’re experiencing dry eyes and headaches, it’s important to consult with an eye doctor to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. A thorough eye exam can help to identify any underlying issues and determine the best course of treatment.
Treatment for dry eyes may include any of the following:
- Punctal plugs are tiny collagen or silicone plugs that are inserted into the tear ducts to reduce tear evaporation.
- Artificial tears can also be used to lubricate the eyes and provide temporary relief from dryness and discomfort.
- BlephEx treatment is another option that involves removing bacteria and toxins from the eyelashes and lash line to help reduce inflammation.
- Lipiflow is a device that uses heat and pressure to massage the eyelids gently to unblock the meibomian glands and improve the quality of the eye’s oil layer.
- Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). During IPL treatment, intense pulses of visible and infrared light are applied to the eyelids. Each treatment lasts approximately 20 minutes. Multiple treatment sessions are usually scheduled about a month apart to achieve long-term results.
Treating Dry Eyes at EyeZone Nevada
Dry eyes and headaches can often occur together. Despite this, research doesn’t show a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between them.
If you’re experiencing dry eyes and headaches, schedule an appointment with EyeZone Nevada to discuss treatment options. Our dry eye relief clinic aims to diagnose and treat even the most severe cases of dry eye disease.
