Ocular Causes for Headache

Abstract

Ocular causes of headaches include headaches associated with refractive error (HARE), convergence insufficiency (CI), and accommodative spasm (AS). HARE is more severe in patients with a high amount of refractive error. CI or AS patients can have diplopia and strabismus. Both CI and AS can be associated with head trauma or other systemic disorders. Headaches due to ocular causes are frontally localized occurring near the end of the day and are associated with increased amount of near work. HARE is treated with glasses while CI or AS may need other therapies such as prism, eye drops, surgery, or orthoptic exercises.