Frequent headaches could be a symptom of an uncorrected vision problem or dry eye syndrome! That’s right, if you experience a lot of headaches, it would be worth your time to schedule an eye exam.

Digital Eye Strain and Headaches

Thanks to modern technology, we spend hours a day looking at bright screens, and a common price we pay for these fabulous conveniences is digital eye strain. Typical symptoms include blurred vision, tired and aching eyes, difficulty focusing, and — you guessed it — frequent headaches.

Eye strain doesn’t have to come from screens, either. A vision problem like hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), or astigmatism puts a lot of strain on the eye as it attempts to compensate. With astigmatism, the cornea is shaped abnormally, so it bends light in ways it shouldn’t, leading to a lot of squinting. That alone can sometimes contribute to headaches.

With hyperopia and presbyopia, the lens of the eye focuses images a bit behind the retina instead of right against it, which makes nearby objects look blurry. Trying to read small print quickly turns into a headache, sometimes literally. The older we get, the less flexible the lenses in our eyes become and this can happen to people who never needed glasses earlier in life.

The 20-20-20 rule can help Dry Eye and Digital Eye Strain!

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Eye Problems Can Be a Headache for Kids Too

Kids with undiagnosed vision problems are as susceptible to frequent headaches as adults are. That’s just one of many reasons every child should have a comprehensive eye exam with a real eye doctor, not just a school nurse with a big E chart. There could be a vision problem besides basic refractive errors (like nearsightedness or farsightedness) causing them headaches, but kids wouldn’t be able to make that connection for themselves.

The Wonders of a Correct Prescription

The changes in our vision are gradual enough that they’re hard to notice. It might take months or years to really register how much harder it is to see distant details or read up close. Most people who experience headaches related to vision problems simply need an updated prescription for their glasses or contacts! This combined with treatment for dry eye syndrome can help improve patient’s quality of life and productivity at work and school.

When Headaches Are Tied to Sight-Threatening Conditions

One symptom of glaucoma (an eye disease that involves the buildup of pressure against the optic nerve, resulting in permanent vision loss) is headaches, and cataracts can also cause them. Cataracts develop as the proteins in the lens clump together, clouding the vision. Regular eye exams are essential for catching sight-threatening conditions early on.

A Dry Eye Syndrome Exam Is No Headache!

We all have busy schedules and it’s hard to find space for something like an eye appointment, but it’s worth it, especially for anyone suffering frequent headaches with no idea what’s causing them. You can cross eye problems off the list of potential causes by scheduling your next eye exam with the award-winning team at Levin Eye Care Center!

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Congratulations to Clara! She’s officially graduated from our vision therapy program!

She has made tremendous gains in reading and writing times, and we’re excited to see her blossom into a top student!

Clara can now read and write for longer periods of time without frustration and anxiety and loves to learn.

  Before                                  After

The results have been amazing and dramatic! Her hand-eye coordination and visual-motor skills improved since completing vision therapy at Levin Eye Care Center.

If you want your child to reach their full potential, call or text us at 219-659-3050 for more information and to schedule your appointment for a comprehensive eye exam.

Vision Therapy helped me become more coordinated and focused! I love reading and learning in school now. 

Victoria’s mother talks about the changes she has seen in her daughter since entering in our vision therapy program at Levin Eye Care Center. Before vision therapy, Victoria found it very difficult to focus on her schoolwork. Learning and reading was very difficult and she could never seem to finish an entire chapter at her reading level. A math assignment would take her an hour and a half to complete. I have Victoria enrolled in Mexican folkloric dance and she would always get frustrated that she couldn’t grasp the steps or coordinate the dance with the rest of the group. At home she would fall or trip often and hurt herself.

The biggest change I have seen is that Victoria is able to finish reading books in their entirety. She has completed various books and loves to tell me about them. Before completing the vision therapy program she took more than an hour to complete a math lesson, now she averages about 40 minutes. She also amazes her dance teacher with her improved coordination.

My daughter is now confident at school and in dance class. She doesn’t doubt herself or make excuses since attending vision therapy. I have seen her love for learning and reading blossom as opposed to before vision therapy she just wanted to get her schoolwork out of the way or find an excuse not to do it. I always knew she had the potential and intelligence to perform well and am very thankful that Dr. Levin offers vision therapy!

Victoria states: “Thank you Levin Eye Care Center for helping fix my eye problems!”

Vision Therapy helped me become more confident and focused!

Before vision therapy John struggled with reading, spelling, handwriting and staying focused. He was also having challenges with emotional outbursts and became frustrated with many areas of daily life and not being focused in school. Dr. Levin prescribed vision therapy, which is a series of designed eye and vision-based exercises to improve John’s fine motor skills in focusing, eye coordination, perception and eye teaming.

Since completing vision therapy, John is more relaxed, calm, and focused. He no longer struggles with schoolwork and has a positive outlook when faced with challenges. John now enjoys reading, writing and completing his homework on time. Also, he is more confident with school activates, sports and friends. School and daily activities are no longer overwhelming and he has exhibited an increase in classroom performance.

Congratulations John!  We are very proud of you and look forward to your future accomplishments!

If you know someone who is having trouble focusing in school or work and its becoming a daily challenge then they could need vision therapy. We can help diagnose the issue and get to the root of the problem. Call us at 219-659-3050 for more info and to setup a vision evaluation.

Karen is a Graduate of the Levin Eye Care Center Vision Therapy Program. Her mother Laurie, is also a graduate of the program and lets us knows the impact it has had on her daughter and her. Learn how Vision Therapy helps this mother and daughter reach new heights and how it can change your child’s life!

Dr. Levin,

I learned the value of vision therapy at a young age. Teachers believed I was learning disabled but the psychological testing proved this to be false and vision issues were explored. Vision therapy was very helpful to me as a child and as an adult I found the need to reconnect with a doctor who understood my unique eye problems. Dr. Levin helped me, and my daughter, Karen with vision therapy.

Karen had a lot of difficulties with learning as a child and into early college. Dr. Levin first saw her as a young adult and recommended vision therapy. Karen has always loved learning but visual problems hindered her reading abilities. Today she is a student at Eastern Virginia Medical School studying to be a Physician Assistant. Students are required to read and retain large volumes of information in a short period of time. She loves the material and has the endurance to study long hours. At the end of her first year she is excelling in this very competitive program.

I am very proud of her hard work and accomplishments and am happy that she has found her passion. She will serve others by providing excellent compassionate care as a Physician Assistant. Vision therapy gave her a foundation that helped make this possible. Thank you Dr. Levin and staff for the excellent eye care you have provided for me, and my family over many years.

Laurie Stengler

Before coming to Levin Eye Care Center’s vision therapy program Karen was struggling to read and concentrate on her schoolwork. Karen would frequently have migraines during and after school that made it difficult to focus.

Before:

• Migraines
• Difficulty concentrating
• Struggles with schoolwork
• Didn’t enjoy reading

Karen was able focus on her schoolwork and concentrate on her studies after completing the vision therapy program at Levin Eye Care Center. She also had a significant decrease in the amount of migraines and is currently working in the medical field and in graduate school. Karen can now finish a book quickly in one sitting and loves to read!

After:

1. Decreased headaches and migraines
2. Increased focus
3. Loves reading
4. Graduate student

“Thank you Dr. Levin! I don’t think I would be where I am today without Vision Therapy”

-Karen Stengler

Watch Karen’s story to learn how vision therapy can change your life!

Contact us today to setup your consultation