There are many types of eye pain, but a feeling of pressure behind the eyes is something else altogether. This unpleasant sensation may be caused by an issue affecting the eyes, but the cause is more likely a condition affecting the surrounding tissue of the face. Here we look at the following conditions that can cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes: Show
Causes of pressure behind the eyes
The American Migraine Foundation note that headaches and pain around the eyes often go together. However, they also point out that most headaches are classified as migraine- or tension-type, and have nothing to do with eye strain or related conditions. Migraines are frequently associated with a feeling of pressure or pain behind the eyes. Other symptoms of a migraine include:
Other types of headache include:
The sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull, positioned above, below, behind, and between the eyes. Problems with the sinuses often include feelings of pain in and around the face. One of the main symptoms of a sinus infection is throbbing pain and pressure around the eyeballs. At least one type of sinus infection — sphenoid sinusitis — is linked to an ache behind the eyes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other symptoms of a sinus infection include:
A result of an overactive thyroid gland, Graves’ disease can cause the tissues, muscles, and fat behind the eye to swell. This causes the eyeball to bulge from the socket and can lead to other issues, such as being unable to move the eyeball. The swelling of the tissues behind the eye may result in a feeling of pressure. Common eye-related symptoms of Graves’ disease include:
Optic neuritis affects the optic nerves, which connect the eyes and the brain. Optic neuritis is a condition in which the nerve that connects the eyes and brain becomes inflamed and swollen. Side effects can include pain and temporary loss of vision, which usually peaks within a few days and can take 4–12 weeks to improve. Infections can trigger optic neuritis, and it is also commonly associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Around 50 percent of all people with MS experience optic neuritis, which is often the first indication of MS. Symptoms of optic neuritis include:
A toothache, especially as a result of infection, may cause throbbing pain and feelings of pressure to spread to nearby parts of the face, as the surrounding nerves become affected. For example, a 2007 case study published in the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences concerned a person whose toothache led to a swelling of the left eye socket after 2 days. The vision in the swollen eye grew worse, and the pain increased along with the swelling.
Injuries to the face, such as those sustained in car accidents or while playing sports, may lead to a feeling of pressure and pain behind and around the eyes. Different types of fracture to the eye socket can cause damage to the eye muscles, nerves, and sinuses. Some symptoms of eye socket fractures include:
When to see a doctorSerious symptoms, such as loss of vision, should be assessed by a doctor. Pressure behind the eyes is not a serious medical concern on its own, but it may indicate the presence of a more acute condition. Anyone who notices symptoms such as loss of vision, bulging eyes, fever, frequent headaches, or facial swelling should see their doctor. If the doctor is unable to make a diagnosis, they will refer the person to an appropriate expert who can investigate more thoroughly. Some of these experts include:
Some techniques that may help with a diagnosis include:
Treatment optionsSuccessfully treating pressure behind the eyes involves addressing the underlying causes. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are safe to use. They may ease the feeling of pressure if it is not severe and does not seem to be a side effect of a more serious condition. If the pressure is severe or comes with other symptoms, see a doctor. Following diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe any treatments needed. These could include:
OutlookThe outlook for pressure behind the eyes will depend on the underlying cause. This pressure will often be due to simple headaches or sinus conditions, which are easy to deal with and unlikely to cause complications. However, pressure behind the eyes may be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as optic neuritis or Graves’ disease. In these cases, seek further treatment. What does it mean when your head hurts over your left eye?Migraine headaches
Migraine can cause a moderate to severe headache on the left side. The condition affects 12% of people in the United States, including 17% of women and 6% of men. A migraine headache may throb and be worse on one side. The pain may begin around the eye or temple, then spread across the head.
What makes your head hurt above your eyes?Tension headaches
These are the most common types of headache, and may cause pain behind your eyes, as well as on one or both sides of your head and from your neck down to your shoulders. Triggers include poor posture, lack of sleep, being hungry or dehydrated, or eye strain from staring too long at a computer screen.
What kind of headache is over one eye?Cluster headaches, which occur in cyclical patterns or cluster periods, are one of the most painful types of headache. A cluster headache commonly awakens you in the middle of the night with intense pain in or around one eye on one side of your head.
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