Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCommon Causes and PreventionOther Possible CausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Common Causes and Prevention
Other Possible Causes
Treatment
While reducing your screen time is the best way to avoid computer screen headaches, that may not always be possible. There are, however, other things you can do to reduce your risk.
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Symptoms of a Computer Screen Headache
A computer screen headache is just one of the symptoms ofcomputer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain. Other symptoms include:
Experiencing six or more of these symptoms may mean you have computer vision syndrome. If you suspect computer vision syndrome, visit an eye care professional for a diagnosis.
How Long Do Screen Headaches Last?How long a screen headache lasts can vary from a few hours to several days.Call your healthcare provider if you have a headache that isn’t responding to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications or is interfering with daily activities.
How Long Do Screen Headaches Last?
How long a screen headache lasts can vary from a few hours to several days.Call your healthcare provider if you have a headache that isn’t responding to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications or is interfering with daily activities.
Common Causes and Prevention Strategies
Spending too much time in front of a computer, or any screen, can trigger headaches and migraines. However, simple steps like taking regular breaks, optimizing your computer screen and lighting, and making changes to your desk set-up and seating can help to reduce or eliminate screen headaches.
Eyestrain
While you might think the act of focusing on a screen is a straightforward process, it’s not as simple as it sounds. The distance between the front of a monitor and our eyes is called the working distance.
Interestingly, our eyes actually want to relax at a point that’s farther away from the screen. We call that location the resting point of accommodation (RPA).
In order to see what’s on the computer screen, the brain has to direct oureye musclesto constantly readjust focus between the RPA and the front of the screen. This “struggle” between where our eyes want to focus and where they should be focused can lead to eyestrain and eye fatigue, both of which cantrigger a headache.
Reducing Computer-Related Eyestrain
Moreover, it’s a good idea to rest your eyes completely for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use.
If you’re referring to a text on paper while working at the computer, don’t put the paper down next to your keyboard. Prop the page up next to your screen so that there is less distance for your eyes to travel between the paper and monitor, less refocusing, and fewer chances for eyestrain.
Obtain regular eye care. While you may not need eyeglasses for everyday activities, you can benefit from wearing prescription glasses when using your computer.
Excess Illumination
In addition, you may not only be dealing with the glare from your computer but also the glare from every other computer in the room. This kind of excessive brightness or over-illumination can trigger several types of headaches, including migraines.
Do blue light glasses stop screen Headaches?Research shows little evidence that blue light glasses can reduce eye strain and screen headaches. While a 2021 study found blue-blocking lenses had no benefit for eye strain, there were no adverse effects reported from wearing them.
Do blue light glasses stop screen Headaches?
Research shows little evidence that blue light glasses can reduce eye strain and screen headaches. While a 2021 study found blue-blocking lenses had no benefit for eye strain, there were no adverse effects reported from wearing them.
Addressing Illumination Problems
You may find that reducing the illumination can make a big difference in the frequency of your headaches:
If your workplace doesn’t provide adjustable lighting, particularly for overhead fluorescents, adjust the brightness and contrast settings on your computer monitor.
Poor Posture
If you find yourselfhunched overor leaning into your computer screen when a headache occurs, the problem might be yourposture.Poor cervical neck curvature is a common observation in computer users who complain of headaches.
The type of headache is known as acervicogenic headache. It could be located at the base of the skull and come up one side of the head.
Improving Poor Posture
There are things you can do toimprove your posture, both in terms of the position of your furniture and the way you consciously correct bad habits.
To improve your posture, position your keyboard and computer so that your head is not tilted and your spine is neutral. The center of the screen should be about 4 to 5 inches below eye level and 20 to 28 inches from the eye.
Consider a few additional tips:
Many people will claim that radiation or cathode rays are the cause of computer screen-related headaches, but neither actually applies.
Still, there are factors to consider.
Electromagnetic Fields
Research is emerging that exposure to low radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) through the use ofcell phonesand Wi-Fi may be linked to more frequent and more severemigraine headaches.
Overall, the precise link between EMF and migraines is unclear. Still, restricting unnecessary exposure to RF-EMF sources is a reasonable goal, especially if you link the exposure to more severe headaches.
Patterns and Images
Interestingly, there is no strong evidence that the actual images on a computer screen trigger headaches.
While some patterns on a screen (such as bright lights on a dark background, flashing shapes, or specific line patterns) may trigger headaches in a small percentage of people with neurological deficits, the typical patterns we look at on the computer screen are not usually responsible.
If you suspect that screen patterns are triggering your headaches, speak with your healthcare provider as this may be a sign ofphotosensitive epilepsy.
Other Explanations
Before you blame your headaches entirely on working at the computer, keep in mind that other things in your environment that coincide with computer use may actually be triggering your headaches. Ask yourself:
Medications used to treat screen headaches and migraines are essentially the same as those used for headaches due to other causes:
At-Home Remedies
If you experience a headache, there are some things you can do at home that may improve your symptoms, including:
Headaches Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Summary
Treatment includes standard headache medications like acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and triptans. At-home strategies to help mitigate headache pain include low light, napping, and applying heat or cold at the site of pain. While your computer may be a trigger for your headaches, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider to be sure you are getting proper care.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Weber K.Is too much screen time the cause of your headache?Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).American Optometric Society.Computer vision syndrome.Singh S, Downie L, Anderson A.Do blue-blocking lenses reduce eye strain from extended screen time? A double-masked randomized controlled trial.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.010Mohammadianinejad SE, Babaei M, Nazari P.The effects of exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields in the treatment of migraine headache: a cohort study.Electron Physician. 2016;8(12):3445-3449. doi:10.19082/3445Hoffmann J, Recober A.Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370. doi:10.1007/s11916-013-0370-7Robbins MS.Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review.JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.1640Nehlig A.Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients?Pract Neurol. 2016;16(2):89-95. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2015-001162Additional ReadingRosenfield, M.Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments.Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011 Sep;31(5):502-15. doi:10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Weber K.Is too much screen time the cause of your headache?Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).American Optometric Society.Computer vision syndrome.Singh S, Downie L, Anderson A.Do blue-blocking lenses reduce eye strain from extended screen time? A double-masked randomized controlled trial.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.010Mohammadianinejad SE, Babaei M, Nazari P.The effects of exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields in the treatment of migraine headache: a cohort study.Electron Physician. 2016;8(12):3445-3449. doi:10.19082/3445Hoffmann J, Recober A.Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370. doi:10.1007/s11916-013-0370-7Robbins MS.Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review.JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.1640Nehlig A.Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients?Pract Neurol. 2016;16(2):89-95. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2015-001162Additional ReadingRosenfield, M.Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments.Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011 Sep;31(5):502-15. doi:10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Weber K.Is too much screen time the cause of your headache?Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).American Optometric Society.Computer vision syndrome.Singh S, Downie L, Anderson A.Do blue-blocking lenses reduce eye strain from extended screen time? A double-masked randomized controlled trial.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.010Mohammadianinejad SE, Babaei M, Nazari P.The effects of exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields in the treatment of migraine headache: a cohort study.Electron Physician. 2016;8(12):3445-3449. doi:10.19082/3445Hoffmann J, Recober A.Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370. doi:10.1007/s11916-013-0370-7Robbins MS.Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review.JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.1640Nehlig A.Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients?Pract Neurol. 2016;16(2):89-95. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2015-001162
Weber K.Is too much screen time the cause of your headache?Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).
American Optometric Society.Computer vision syndrome.
Singh S, Downie L, Anderson A.Do blue-blocking lenses reduce eye strain from extended screen time? A double-masked randomized controlled trial.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.010
Mohammadianinejad SE, Babaei M, Nazari P.The effects of exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields in the treatment of migraine headache: a cohort study.Electron Physician. 2016;8(12):3445-3449. doi:10.19082/3445
Hoffmann J, Recober A.Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370. doi:10.1007/s11916-013-0370-7
Robbins MS.Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review.JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.1640
Nehlig A.Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients?Pract Neurol. 2016;16(2):89-95. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2015-001162
Rosenfield, M.Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments.Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011 Sep;31(5):502-15. doi:10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x
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