Headache in relation to uncorrected refractive errors in adolescents

Abstract

Purpose : The prevalence of headache in children has been increasing alongside with a more sedentary lifestyle and increased screen time. Screen viewing and other near visual tasks are demanding for the visual system and head-stabilizing musculature. Thereby, prolonged near work may provoke eyestrain, musculoskeletal pain in the upper body, and headache, and the risk increases with uncorrected vision problems. Up to 40 % of school children has undetected vision anomalies. This study investigated associations between headache and uncorrected refractive errors, musculoskeletal pain, and lifestyle behaviors in adolescents.

Methods : This was a cross-sectional study including 10–11 and 15–16-year-old children. A total of 143 children (36 in 5^th grade, 107 in 10^th grade; 45 % girls) participated in a free-of-charge school vision testing program in Kongsberg, Norway, including cycloplegic refraction. A questionnaire was used to collect data regarding headache, musculoskeletal pain, and lifestyle, including Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and logistic regression, and significance level was set at p < 0.05 (two-tailed).

Results : A total of 8 % of the 5th grade children experienced headaches often or daily and missed on average 0.4 (SD 1.7) schooldays per month due to headache. In the 10th grade children, a total of 19 % experienced headaches often or daily, and reported missing on average 0.5 (SD 1.5) schooldays per month. In the whole sample, 6 % of the children reported missing several daily activities when having headache, and an additional 4 % avoided all activities during headache attacks. As many as 49 % of the children reported to use pain medication when having headaches, 25 % in 5th grade and 57 % in 10th grade. There were significant associations between different types of uncorrected refractive errors and headache frequency (p = 0.018) and type of headache (p = 0.040). There were also significant correlations between headache and musculoskeletal pain (p = 0.030), time spent on mobile phone (p = 0.003), and physical activity (p = 0.030).

Conclusions : This study showed associations between headache and uncorrected refractive errors, musculoskeletal pain, and lifestyle behaviors. This highlights the importance of eye examinations in children with headache, and the need for more research within this area.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.