Can Glaucoma Cause Headaches or Migraines?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve of your eye, which is the primary and crucial connection between your eye and your brain. This damage is hazardous and can lead to progressive vision loss if left untreated. Blurred vision is one of the most common symptoms of glaucoma, especially in later stages; some people with glaucoma also experience migraines or headaches. Let’s explore the connection between glaucoma and headaches today and learn more about the different types of glaucoma and their potential to cause pain.
Understanding The Basics of Glaucoma
Before delving into the connection between glaucoma and migraines, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals of glaucoma. Glaucoma typically occurs when there’s a buildup of intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye. This pressure is caused by the fluid that nourishes the eye’s tissues.
When someone has glaucoma, this drainage system becomes compromised, causing pressure to build up and damage the optic nerve. Understanding the various types of glaucoma and their unique characteristics empowers you with a more detailed understanding of this condition.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
This type of glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve in your eye is damaged, even though IOP is considered normal. The exact cause of this glaucoma is still not known, but it may be related to poor blood flow to the optic nerve.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
This type of glaucoma is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 80% of all glaucoma cases worldwide. In primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the eye’s drainage angle gradually becomes obstructed over time, causing an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP).
Angle-Closure Glaucoma (ACG)
This type of glaucoma develops when the drainage angle in the eye is suddenly blocked, causing an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). It is a medical emergency that needs quick treatment. There are two subtypes of ACG: “Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma” and “Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma.”
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma is a sudden and severe attack that can cause intense eye pain, blurred vision, nausea, redness, and vomiting. On the other hand, Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma develops more slowly and may not cause immediate symptoms.
Glaucoma & Headaches: Can They Be Related?
It is important to note that headaches are unusual in the early stages of primary open-angle glaucoma. However, those with glaucoma might occasionally experience headaches due to factors unrelated to the eye disease. Common triggers for headaches, like dehydration, stress, and lack of sleep, can also be associated with glaucoma.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma Can Cause Headaches
An abrupt rise in IOP can exert force on your eyeball and the tissues around it, resulting in discomfort that might be localized around the eye, in the forehead, or as a more generalized headache.
You should note that headaches can also be a symptom of other eye conditions, such as migraines, eye strain, and sinus headaches. Let’s learn more about the symptoms in more detail.
Strain in Your Eyes
Migraine Headaches
These can cause pulsating or throbbing pain on one side of your head, often accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. While people with glaucoma may also experience migraines, the two conditions are not directly related.
Sinus Headaches
When the sinuses become inflamed, it might cause a feeling of pressure and facial discomfort, which can be misinterpreted as a headache. Early diagnosis of glaucoma is crucial for preventing vision loss.
If you are experiencing migraines, headaches, or other vision problems, such as halos around lights, blurred vision, or narrowed peripheral vision. In that case, you should not take it lightly and immediately schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist.
When to Seek Help From an Eye Doctor?
If you experience sudden, severe pain in your eyes, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, nausea and vomiting, eye pain, or sudden loss of vision (even partial), it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention from an experienced eye doctor.
These symptoms indicate an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Your health and well-being are our top priority, so never hesitate to seek help if you experience these symptoms.
Additional Factors to Consider In Glaucoma
You should always keep in mind that while glaucoma and headaches might not always be directly connected, specific underlying health issues could play a role in both. These include problems like high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of glaucoma and headaches, as well as coronary artery disease, which can impact blood flow to your eyes. Central retinal vein occlusion, a blockage of the main vein draining blood from the eye, can also lead to sudden vision loss and sometimes cause severe headaches. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, discuss them with your eye doctor during regular eye exams.
Conclusion
While glaucoma generally progresses without causing headaches, it is essential to note that some connections exist to explore. Angle-closure glaucoma, particularly the acute form, can increase pressure on the eyes due to a blockage in the drainage angle. This pressure spike can cause severe pain around the eye or even a full-blown headache. Differentiating this from migraine headaches, which can have similar symptoms but are not directly related to glaucoma, is important.
Some underlying health conditions can also be risk factors for both. For example, abnormal blood vessels growing in the eye (like in central retinal vein occlusion) can also lead to vision loss and sometimes headaches. If you have concerns about vision changes or headaches, consult your eye doctor immediately to rule out glaucoma and discuss other potential causes.
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Call Bagan Strinden Vision For Glaucoma Treatment
Regarding Glaucoma treatment, immediate professional assistance can save you from this eye condition. At Bagan Strinden Vision, you’ll find an expert and qualified team specializing in a range of eye care services, including glaucoma treatment, general eye care, eyelid procedures, laser eye surgery, and cataract surgery.
At Bagan Strinden Vision, we understand the importance of expert care regarding your vision. With a remarkable track record of over 30,000 successful cataract surgeries and 15,000 LASIK surgeries, Bagan Strinden is known for its expertise in eye surgeries. With over 25 years of experience, we bring a wealth of knowledge to ensure top-notch eye care. You can trust us to provide the best possible care for your eyes. Don’t hesitate to reach out today for expert assistance.
