Can dryeye or inaccurate astigmatism correction cause dull headaches?

[yz4]

Since about two years ago, I noticed this dull headache--my eyes feel tight and my head feels heavy soon after I put on my glasses, this discomfort is more severe if there is dim light in the room. It was so unbearable after I had to wear the glasses for three days during a big convention. At first, I thought my glasses were too old. As soon as I came back home, I went to see the eye doctor, did a comprehensive eye exam, and got a new prescription. The doctor said I had dry eye, which caused some sharp pain sometimes. This was there since long time ago, but different from the dull pain I feel after I put the glasses on. According to the doctor, there was only slight change in the new prescription, which is -2.75+0.50x165o and -2.75+0.25x0.45o (I lost the record for my last prescription). She told me somehow my old glasses did not have correction for astigmatism. She said if my astigmatism was corrected with the new glasses, my headache might go away. I knew I had astigmatism but did not have the correction for the older pair of glasses. Now with the new glasses for about 10 months, I still feel the discomfort. Therefore, I only wear them when I have to such as driving or go to a big lecture. Could anyone tell me what may cause this perplexing headache? Could it be from dry eye? Could it be due to poor craftmanship that the lens were not made precisely as prescribed?Thanks.


This discussion is related to New Eyeglasses give me headaches and vision problems.

[AnnaE]

You should and everyone should go to an eye md once a year.

I get to go an average of every month, because I have severe problems. An eye md can help revent serious problems.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[yz4]

Thanks a lot.  I don't have the headache if I do not wear the glasses. I'll take your advice and ask a doctor to check the RX and my eyes.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. Your glasses have a very very tiny amount of astigmatism correction.
2. If your problem was dry eyes you would have eye symptoms all the time regardless of whether you had glasses on or not.
3. If the glasses were the wrong RX or not properly crafted you might have some mild head ache or eye ache when the glasses were on but not when you didn't wear them.
4. Get a second opinion from a Eye MD ophthalmologist physician. Take in the glasses so they can check.

JCH MD