The eyes become tired after prolonged close work, especially if a person doesn’t have on their most accurate prescription. Vision headaches are centered on the eye area, temples, and brows. People who do a lot of detail work throughout the day, like students and computer users, are more susceptible to eyestrain. A study that was published in the American Optometric Association journal, Optometry, showed that even a mildly inaccurate vision prescription could significantly affect worker productivity with a computer. See Computer Vision Syndrome.

Migraines are a type of vascular headache that usually occur on one side of the head and may be accompanied by visual disturbances, such as sparkles and spots before the eyes. A migraine is not just a headache, but also a hereditary disorder affecting the whole body. Believed to be caused by blood flow and chemical changes in the brain, migraine headaches can result in a series of events, including severe head pain, stomach upset, and sensory hypersensitivity, followed by periods of symptom–free years. Migraines can be triggered by hormonal changes and all types of stress (emotional, sensory, or dietary).

Unlike a migraine, a tension headache presents with a steady, dull ache on both sides or the back of the head, does not cause incapacity and is not worsened by activities. There isn’t any associated nausea or sensitivity to light and noise. Tension headache is caused by body tension resulting from overwork or psychological stress, can trigger a migraine, and can accompany eyestrain.