Ocular Consultation in Headache-A Prerequisite or an Absolute Necessity?

Abstract

A vast majority of cause of headaches are ocular, prime cause being neurological. Therefore, eye care practitioners are often the first physicians to evaluate, manage or if needed refer to designated department and specialty, the patients with headaches, eye pain, and headache-associated visual disturbances. Refractive error, oculomotor anomalies and ocular diseases contribute to headache and hence these causes need to be ruled out before going for expensive, invasive and time-consuming investigation. Health care professionals should always be generous in referring the patients to fellow physician, optometrist, ophthalmologist or any other specialists as per necessity.