Can cataracts cause headaches?

Cataracts are most known for causing cloudy or blurry vision but can they cause headaches too? The answer isn’t straightforward.

While cataracts don’t directly cause headaches, they can contribute to them in certain situations. In this blog, we’ll explore how cataracts might play a role in discomfort, when headaches could be a sign of something more serious, and what to do if both symptoms appear together.

What are the main symptoms of cataracts?

Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy, leading to:

• Increased reliance on glasses

Blurry or distorted vision

• Glare or halos, especially around lights
• Poor night vision
• Double vision in one eye
• Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions

But headaches? That’s a little less clear.

Can cataracts cause headaches directly?

Not directly. Cataracts themselves do not affect the nerves or brain in a way that causes pain.

However, the strain caused by poor vision can lead to secondary headaches.

How vision strain can trigger headaches

When your vision is unclear or you’re straining to focus:

• You might squint more often
• You may lean forward or tilt your head to see better
• You may overuse your eye muscles

This ongoing effort, especially over many weeks or months, can lead to tension headaches, especially around the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes.

When headaches and cataracts overlap

You may be more likely to develop headaches linked to cataracts if:

• Your cataracts are advanced
• You’ve delayed surgery despite struggling with vision
• You rely heavily on screens or reading
• You haven’t updated your glasses prescription in a long time

People often assume the headache is due to eye strain or work stress, when in reality, a cataract may be the root cause.

When headaches might mean something else

If you have headaches along with:

• Sudden vision loss
• Severe eye pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Halos with coloured lights.

…it may not be related to cataracts. These can be signs of other eye conditions, such as:

• Glaucoma
• Retinal detachment
• Migraine with aura.

Always speak with an eye specialist if your symptoms change suddenly or feel intense.

How cataract surgery can help

When cataracts are removed, visual clarity improves dramatically, often within a day or two.

This improvement can reduce:

• Eye fatigue
• Squinting and focusing effort
• Frustration from poor vision.

As a result, some people notice that headaches linked to visual strain ease after surgery.

Why choose private cataract surgery with Professor Paul Ursell?

Professor Paul Ursell specialises in private cataract and lens surgery. Patients are offered:

• Shorter wait times
• A full range of lens options
• Detailed eye scans and measurements
• Supportive care throughout the process.

Many patients notice not just better vision, but improved comfort and reduced visual stress.

What if I still have headaches after surgery?

Headaches can have many causes. If your vision has improved but headaches continue, your GP or neurologist may need to explore other possible reasons.

Final Thoughts

While cataracts don’t directly cause headaches, the strain from poor vision can absolutely lead to discomfort over time. If you’re experiencing both symptoms, it may be time to consider cataract surgery.

Clear vision can make all the difference-not just in how well you see, but in how you feel day to day.

Take the suitability self-test to find out if cataract surgery could help.