Have you ever experienced one of those annoying headaches that's right behind your eyes, and it makes it even more difficult to concentrate or even keep your eyes open? You dismiss it, think of it as stress or getting too much screen time—but what if it's something more? Headaches related to eyes are a real thing, and they tend to go unnoticed until they begin affecting your daily activities. Whether you're always on your computer, missing eye exams, or simply believe it's "normal" to reach for a pain reliever and tough it out, this tale is your reminder to pause and pay attention to what your body—and even more specifically, your eyes—are trying to say.Headaches are a common experience—unwelcome, usually inconvenient, and usually dismissed as the aftermath of a long day or hectic schedule but when that headache targets the back of your eyes and starts disrupting your daily routine, it's time to listen more intently. That is not tension alone it may be your body communicating something more.For health professionals, especially ophthalmologists, chronic headaches that focus around or behind the eyes can be more than mere stress. They can be indicative of latent ocular or neurological conditions that require professional intervention. To learn when a headache can be more than just about stress—and when it's time to seek medical attention—we spoke with Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, an eye surgeon and ophthalmologist.Link Between Your Headaches and EyesThe eyes are intricate, high-performance organs which are used continuously—whether reading, driving, or working on computer screens. When they're being worked too hard or strained from underlying problems, they tend to express discomfort as headaches. These would usually be known as ocular headaches, and in contrast to those caused by stress, they can be accompanied with characteristic signs like eye pain, pressure, redness, or visual changes.Dr Neeraj says, "The eyes are complex organs that work tirelessly throughout the day. When they are strained or affected by underlying conditions, the resulting discomfort can manifest as headaches. These headaches are often referred to as ocular headaches and can have specific characteristics that differentiate them from other types." Curiously, pain felt in or around the eye isn't necessarily from the eye. Most of these are "referred pain"—a condition in which pain is felt in one location but is caused by another. This is why it is so easy to miss the actual cause, particularly when visual symptoms are minimal or none at all.Signs Your Headache Isn't Just StressWhile stress is sure to produce headaches, the following indicators could mean that your headache stems from an eye condition or some other health problem:1. Frequent or Daily Headaches Behind the EyesIf you’re waking up with headaches or experiencing them routinely at the end of your workday, eye strain may be playing a central role. This is especially common in people with undiagnosed vision issues or those who stare at screens for extended hours.2. Blurred or Fluctuating VisionHeadaches with associated changes in your ability to see clearly may point to issues like astigmatism or imbalance of the eye muscles. Such vision inconsistencies make the eyes work harder, resulting in pain that is referred to the temples or brow.3. Eye Pain Without Redness or Obvious IrritationIf your eye appears to be fine but you still have pain in deep or rear parts of your eye, it might be connected to neurological or inflammatory disorders like optic neuritis. This necessitates urgent professional attention to eliminate pressure buildup or other severe conditions.4. Glare, Halos, or NauseaConditions like glaucoma may raise intraocular pressure, leading to severe headaches and sensations like halos around lights, vomiting, or extreme eye pain. These are warning signs of the utmost concern that need immediate attention.5. Difficulty with Focus and CoordinationA less familiar condition known as binocular vision dysfunction happens when the eyes are slightly out of alignment. This causes eye muscles to overwork, causing headaches, dizziness, and problems concentrating. Even slight misalignments can drastically affect your quality of life.Dr Neeraj shares a list of causes which could indicate more than just a simple headache, indicating towards a serious problem at times.Common Eye-Related Causes of Headaches Eye Strain (Asthenopia): Prolonged activities like reading, using digital screens, or driving can strain the eye muscles. This strain often leads to a dull ache around the eyes or temples. Uncorrected Vision Problems: Conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism can cause the eyes to work harder to focus. This extra effort may result in headaches, especially after activities that require sustained focus. Incorrect or Outdated Prescription Glasses: Wearing glasses or contact lenses with an incorrect prescription can strain the eyes, leading to headaches. Regular eye checkups are crucial to ensure your prescription is up to date. Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital Eye Strain): Spending long hours in front of screens without adequate breaks can cause headaches due to digital eye strain. Symptoms may also include dry eyes, blurred vision, and neck pain. Glaucoma: This condition increases intraocular pressure and can cause intense headaches, often around the eyes. Headaches due to glaucoma may be accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or halos around lights. Eye Muscle Imbalance: Misalignment of the eyes, even if minor, can lead to strain as the muscles work harder to maintain focus. This condition, known as binocular vision dysfunction, can cause frequent headaches. Inflammatory Eye Conditions: Conditions like uveitis or optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) may cause severe headaches along with other symptoms such as vision changes or eye redness.When to Seek Professional Help?Dr Neeraj recommends, "If you experience headaches frequently and suspect they might be related to your eyes, it’s important to consult an ophthalmologist." If you’ve tried lifestyle adjustments, hydration, and stress management, and your headaches still persist, it’s time to look beyond the usual suspects. Consider seeking medical attention if: - The headache is persistent or worsening. - The headache is accompanied by blurry vision, eye pain, or redness. - There are additional symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, or difficulty focusing. - You haven’t had a comprehensive eye examination in over a year. Even if your symptoms appear to be under control, getting checked out early can avoid complications and reveal underlying conditions that could otherwise go undetected.Diagnosis and Treatment for Eye-Related HeadacheWhen you go to see an ophthalmologist for headaches, the test normally involves a complete determination of your visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and assessment of the optic nerves. Often, the issue might not be in the eye itself but how the eyes work together or how external usage such as screen time is affecting their health.Depending on the diagnosis, your treatment could include:Corrected vision eyeglasses or contact lenses, updated.Lifestyle changes such as the 20-20-20 rule: look 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.Surgery or even medication for more severe conditions like glaucoma.Vision exercises or therapy for binocular vision dysfunction.Prevention and Long-Term Eye CareTo avoid eye-related headaches, begin with routine eye exams—even if you don't wear glasses. When working extensively on computers or other digital devices, keep your work area well-lit, employ blue light filters, and take regular visual breaks. Drinking water and stress management will also contribute to overall eye and brain health.It's also worth mentioning that kids and adolescents increasingly are also coming in with similar symptoms, particularly with our screen-dominated life. So, parents are to stay vigilant about behavioral signs such as irritability, squinting, or complaints of eye strain in younger generations.All headaches are not equal. If yours center around or behind the eyes, or if they come with visual problems as a bonus, don't attribute them to stress without a probe. Your eyes may be sending a message your body can't ignore.Dr Neeraj Sanduja is a MBBS, MS, Ophthalmologist, and Eye Surgeon at Viaan Eye and Retina Centre in India