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Dry eye is a relatively common problem which can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches and migraines.
Dry eye is a common problem which can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Headaches are a symptom which is often associated with vision issues. So where do dry eye and headaches intersect?
Take the Dry Eye Quiz to find out if you suffer from dry eyes
Headaches and dry eye are both conditions which can be caused by a variety of issues. In the case of dry eye it is usually due to reduced tear production or a problem with the quality of tears produced. In the case of headaches, while there are vast numbers of potential causes, anything which affects vision can lead to headaches, as we then have to work harder to see, which can lead to eye strain, which in turn can cause a headache.
Headaches, migraines in particular, are closely linked to dry eye. While it is not completely clear why dry eye and migraines are connected, one possibility is that both conditions can be caused by inflammation. However, there is still research to be done to determine whether dry eye causes headaches or if dry eyes are themselves a symptom of headaches.
A 2015 study has found that the reason some people suffer from frequent migraines may be due to a structural difference in the eye. In the study, researchers found that migraine sufferers in fact have a different ocular structure, and the same study saw that symptoms of dry eye are more prevalent in people who suffer from migraines. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22710496/)
On the other hand, dry eye and headaches can also both be side effects caused by things like medication, and some medications, like isotretinoin (the active ingredient in a popular acne medication), can cause both conditions.
Regardless of whether one does in fact cause the other or not, suffering from both dry eye and headaches can make things extra unpleasant. Some research indicates that migraine attacks can be longer and more severe in people who are also suffering from dry eye.
At the same time, people with migraines are more likely to experience dry eye, and dry eye can lead to a migraine taking on different qualities. In addition to lasting longer, migraines in dry eye sufferers can also come with feelings of nausea and sensory sensitivity, and may cause vomiting.
In addition to inflammation, there are other theories regarding shared mechanisms which can cause both dry eye and headaches.
Trigeminal nerve pathway: The trigeminal nerve is the largest of the 12 cranial nerves, and it supplies nerves to the eyes in addition to playing a role in tear production. Some scientists believe that when this nerve system is activated, migraines can result.
Dry eye, as well, is thought to be a result of an activated trigeminal nerve, since there are dense trigeminal nerve endings in the cornea. In fact an innovative new treatment for dry eye that is based on stimulating the trigeminal nerve was recently approved by the FDA. The FDA approved varenicline nasal spray 0.03 mg (Tyrvaya, Oyster Point Pharma) for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). According to Marian Macsai, MD, chief medical officer of Oyster Point Pharma “It is the first and only nasal spray approved for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of DED, and it is the first and only pharmacological approach to cholinergic neuro-activation via the trigeminal parasympathetic pathway.”
A recent study has found that people with migraine and dry eye symptoms had much less corneal nerve fiber than others, which further indicates that there is some link between the trigeminal nerve and migraines/dry eye.
Central Sensitization: This is a condition which occurs when the central nervous system becomes overreactive to some stimuli like noise, light, or touch. This can lead to more intense pain along with lower pain tolerance. Central sensitization is also associated with many chronic pain conditions, including migraines, and it may also be present in people with dry eye, and can be the reason people experience eye pain from things like light, wind, or cold.
Genetics: Genetic components have been identified in both dry eye and migraines, and they often run in families. Dry eye syndrome in particular has also been genetically linked to things like chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, and IBS.
Among the other connections between headaches and dry eye, they share two common symptoms.
Anyone who has migraines will be familiar with the eye pain you might feel in, around, or behind the eyes. Dry eye also can cause eye pain, with a grittier, irritated, burning sensation.
Photophobia, or light sensitivity, is eye discomfort or pain when exposed to light. Around 80% of people who suffer from migraines experience photophobia, and most people with dry eye also report this symptom.
There are some other things that dry eye and migraines have in common along with the symptoms mentioned above.
These include:
Shared comorbidities: Both of these conditions are found to be comorbid with fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other conditions with chronic pain.
Somatosensory dysfunction: Somatosensory dysfunction is a faulty response in the way the brain perceives neural impulses. These dysfunctions include hypoesthesia (experiencing less sensation or sensitivity to regular stimuli), hyperalgesia (feeling more pain than normal from anything which causes pain), and allodynia (when one feels pain from something that does not normally cause pain.) This is found in people experiencing both headaches and dry eye.
Females are primarily affected: Dry eye and migraines (along with other chronic pain conditions) are significantly more common among women.
Disconnect between signs and symptoms: While both of these conditions present symptoms, there may not be obvious clinical signs that indicate a direct physical cause of the problems (like structural problems or nerve damage.)
Lower quality of life: Both dry eye and chronic headaches can negatively impact your quality of life, making everyday activities like reading, watching tv, or driving more difficult and uncomfortable.
Dry eyes and headaches (specifically migraines) are often found together, and have many similarities, though one does not necessarily cause the other. If you are experiencing chronic headaches and dry eye, you should see a doctor as soon as possible so you can receive more information on what may be causing them and what can be done to correct the problem. If you are experiencing dry eye or chronic migraines, or have other questions, you can contact American Family Vision Clinic at (360) 491-2121 to schedule an appointment for an eye exam. Patients with dry eyes visit our clinic from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye care for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.
Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.
I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.
Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.
Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.
Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.
The staff is friendly. The Doc is very knowledgeable. The office is family friendly and everyone is so patient with the little ones.
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