Child Gets Headaches When Reading: Could It Be Vision?
Headaches that show up during or after reading, homework, or screen work, and get better on weekends or vacations, are worth mentioning to an eye doctor. "Headaches with near work" is one of the items on the COVD Quality of Life checklist that optometrists use to screen for functional vision problems.
Vision-related causes eye doctors look for
- Uncorrected farsightedness or astigmatism. The eyes work harder to focus up close.
- Accommodative (focusing) problems. Trouble keeping near work clear over time.
- Convergence insufficiency. Trouble keeping both eyes turned in together for reading.
Patterns to note
- When the headache starts (time of day, during which activity)
- Where it hurts (forehead or around the eyes is commonly described)
- Other signs: rubbing eyes, blur, words moving, avoiding reading
See a doctor promptly for headaches that are severe, wake your child up, come with vomiting, weakness, or vision loss, or follow a head injury. Those are not "reading headaches."
A regular school screening may not catch focusing or eye-teaming problems. Ask for a comprehensive eye exam that includes binocular vision and accommodation testing.
Wondering if it's a vision problem?
Take the free checklist, then talk with a developmental optometrist.
