What causes pressure behind the eyes? Explore the major causes and treatments for pressure behind the eyes, including migraines, headaches, sinusitis, eye strain, and more.

Pressure Behind Your Eye

Pressure behind the eyes is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness inside the eye. Someone with pressure behind the eyes may require immediate medical attention depending on the underlying cause.

The pressure doesn’t always stem from within the eye. Injury or disease in other parts of the head can also lead to pressure build-up behind the eye.

You may mistake pressure behind the eyes for glaucoma, pink eyes, or allergies. However, these conditions only cause eye pain and not a sensation of pressure behind the eyes.

7 Causes of Pressure Behind The Eye

The following conditions cause pressure behind the eye:

1. Migraines and Headaches

There are over 150 types of headaches.1 A simple headache can cause a sensation of pressure behind the eyes.

For example, tension headaches are consistent and will feel like you’re wearing a tight band around your head. On the other hand, cluster headaches are accompanied by pulsing pain.

Migraines are much worse than headaches and occur periodically. They’re characterized by a throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea. Migraines can also cause pressure behind the eyes.

2. Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, can cause pressure and pain behind the eyes. When the sinuses become inflamed and blocked, it creates a buildup of pressure that can be felt behind the eyes.

Sinus infections can be acute (lasting less than 4 weeks) or chronic (lasting 12 weeks or longer). Symptoms of sinusitis include facial pain and pressure, nasal congestion, and thick, discolored nasal discharge.

3. Eye Strain

Spending too much time staring at digital screens can cause eye strain, which leads to a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

Eye strain occurs when the eyes have to work harder to focus, such as when reading, driving, or using a computer. This can cause the muscles around the eyes to become fatigued and sore, resulting in a sensation of pressure.

4. Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones. This can lead to inflammation and swelling of the muscles and tissues behind the eyes, resulting in pressure and pain.

Other symptoms of Graves’ disease include bulging eyes, double vision, and light sensitivity. In severe cases, the eyes may not be able to move properly.

5. Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. This can cause pain and pressure behind the affected eye, as well as vision loss.

Optic neuritis is often associated with multiple sclerosis, but it can also occur on its own. Symptoms include eye pain that worsens with eye movement and partial vision loss.

6. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high pressure inside the eye. This increased intraocular pressure can lead to a sensation of pressure or fullness behind the eyes.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, so it’s important to get regular eye exams to detect it early. Symptoms can include eye pain, blurred vision, and halos around lights.

7. Injury or Trauma

Trauma or injury to the head, face, or eye can cause swelling and inflammation that results in pressure behind the eyes. This could be from a car accident, sports injury, or other type of impact.

Symptoms may include pain, redness, and sensitivity to light. Seeking medical attention right away is crucial to prevent further damage or complications.

Treating Pressure Behind the Eyes

The treatment for pressure behind the eyes depends on the underlying cause. Some common treatments include:

• Pain medication for headaches and migraines
• Decongestants or antibiotics for sinus infections
• Resting the eyes and limiting screen time for eye strain
• Medication or surgery for Graves’ disease or glaucoma
• Treating the root cause of any injury or trauma

If the pressure behind your eyes is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s important to see an eye doctor or other medical professional right away. Ignoring pressure behind the eyes could lead to more serious complications.

When to See a Doctor

Pressure behind the eyes should not be ignored, especially if it is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like vision changes, nausea, or pain. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden, severe pressure or pain behind the eyes
• Pressure that does not go away with rest or over-the-counter treatment
• Pressure accompanied by symptoms like headache, vision changes, or nausea
• Pressure after a head or eye injury

Your doctor can properly diagnose the underlying cause of the pressure and provide the appropriate treatment to relieve your symptoms and prevent any long-term complications.

Conclusion

Pressure behind the eyes can be a concerning and uncomfortable symptom, but it often has a treatable underlying cause. From headaches and sinus infections to Graves’ disease and glaucoma, understanding the potential causes is the first step to finding relief.

If you experience persistent or severe pressure behind the eyes, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. Your eye doctor or other healthcare provider can properly diagnose the issue and recommend the best course of treatment. Don’t ignore pressure behind the eyes, as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.

Pain Behind Eyes – Causes and Treatment

Headaches are bad enough, but pain behind the eyes is a special kind of torment. Eye pain is mysterious and frightening because it shouldn’t happen that often, and when it does, it threatens vision, the sense we rely upon most. Here are some common reasons you may be experiencing pain behind one of both eyes.

Pressure and Pain Behind Eyes

Headaches are probably the most common reason for pain behind eyes. In cluster headaches, there may be pain behind right eye, left, or even both. Not surprisingly, the affected eye is often red, swollen, or tearing and accompanied by searing or piercing pain from behind it.

A true sinus headache — we say “true” because many supposed sinus headaches are actually migraines — is caused by obstructions, including seasonal allergies, that prevent the sinuses from draining. Mucus builds up inside the sinus, creating an inviting environment for bacteria and viruses. As the sinus swells, it puts direct pressure (and pain) on the eye in front of it.

Pain on one side of the face and in one eye is also a hallmark of a migraine. Migraines are particularly debilitating because they can cause auras — painful visual flashes and other disturbances — as well as pain behind the eye and extreme light sensitivity. Many sufferers become nauseous; for reasons not fully understood, vomiting often relieves head and eye pain.

Eyestrain can also cause pain behind the eyes. Undiagnosedmyopia (nearsightedness) forces the brain to compensate, leading to strained and pained eyes. Staring at a computer screen or TV for hours can overstimulate the brain and cause pain to the eyes.

Treating Headaches With Pain Behind Eyes

While you treat the cause of a headache, treat the eye pain with cold compresses over the eyes while you’re waiting for the pain reliever to kick in. It relieves swelling as well.

• Sinus headache treatments include antihistamines for allergy-induced sinus blockages and over-the-counter pain reliever.
• Migraines may respond to over-the-counter pain relief.
  • Chronic migraines often need prescription drugs.
  • Lying in a dark, quiet room lessens eye strain.

Pain Behind the Right Eye Versus Pain Behind the Left Eye

Other than injury, there are no specific causes for pain behind the right eye or left eye. Injuries to the head or face often affect the facial nerves, and cause pain in the muscles and nerves behind the eyes, especially if the sinuses are impacted. So, injury to the left side of the face can cause pain behind the left eye, while a blow to the right side can do the same to the right eye.

Toothaches can also bring pain behind one or both eyes depending on the location of the affected tooth or teeth. In worst cases, dental abscesses spread the infection to the superior ophthalmic vein, which can cause thrombosis (blood clots) and prevent the vein from properly draining the eye. This is a serious infection that brings excruciating pain behind the eyes.

Painful, bulging eyes is a symptom of Graves’ Disease. Swollen tissue and muscles behind the eyes trigger pain there as well. In extreme cases, the eyeball cannot move and there may be double vision.

About 50% of people with multiple sclerosis may suffer from optic neuritis, an inflammation of the nerve that connects the eye and brain. Eye movement is painful, and there may be vision loss in one eye.

Pay attention to eye pain, particularly if you’ve had a head or facial injury or have had a cold that lasted more than two weeks. This may indicate a serious sinus infection. You can’t be too careful protecting this most valuable of our five senses. For more valuable information visit our Diamon Vision Laser Eye Surgery website or contact our Atlanta Eye Clinic.

7 Causes and Treatments of Pressure Behind the Eyes

Pressure Behind Your Eye

Pressure behind the eyes is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness inside the eye. Someone with pressure behind the eyes may require immediate medical attention depending on the underlying cause.  

The pressure doesn’t always stem from within the eye. Injury or disease in other parts of the head can also lead to pressure build-up behind the eye.

You may mistake pressure behind the eyes for glaucoma, pink eyes, or allergies. However, these conditions only cause eye pain and not a sensation of pressure behind the eyes.

Let’s explore some major causes of pressure behind the eye.

7 Causes of Pressure Behind The Eye

The following conditions cause pressure behind the eye:

1. Migraines and Headaches

There are over 150 types of headaches.¹ A simple headache can cause a sensation of pressure behind the eyes.

For example, tension headaches are consistent and will feel like you’re wearing a tight band around your head. On the other hand, cluster headaches are accompanied by pulsing pain. 

Migraines are much worse than headaches and occur periodically. They’re characterized by a pulsing pain on one side of the head that worsens with physical activity or bright light. Someone with a migraine may feel pressure behind the eyes.

Other Symptoms

• Flashing lights
• Headache that lasts about 4 to 42 hours
• Sensitivity to noise or smell
• Loss of appetite
• Red, teary eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling tired
• Tenderness on the scalp
• Temporary vision issues

Treatment

Treatment for headaches and migraines depends on consistency and severity. Most people feel better without treatment. However, in severe or persistent cases, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain medication, such as:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol)
• Aspirin 
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) 
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve) 

Triptans such as almotriptan, eletriptan, and frovatriptan are also effective in relieving migraines and cluster headaches.²

2. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses. Sinuses are hollow cavities in the skull. The largest is the maxillary cavity, a common place for a sinus infection.

Sinusitis is usually caused by allergies, nasal polyps, and respiratory tract infections. Sinusitis results in fluid build-up and blockage of the sinus cavities, causing bacterial growth and infection (bacterial sinusitis). Someone with sinusitis will experience pressure behind the eyes.

According to a National Health Interview Survey, chronic sinusitis affects about 14% to 16% of the US population.³

Other Symptoms

• Coughing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Headaches
• Eye pain
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Reduced sense of smell
• Bad breath

Treatment

Sinusitis can clear up without treatment. However, home remedies such as getting enough rest, taking plenty of fluids, and cleaning your nose with salt water can help relieve symptoms. 

If the symptoms persist, your doctor will recommend over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin), decongestants and allergy medications.  

Nasal corticosteroids such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone (Nasonex), and beclomethasone are also useful in treating inflammation.

3. Facial Injury

Facial injuries are common and can affect the eyes significantly. Such injuries mostly occur during car accidents, fights, or contact sports and may damage nerves, eye muscles, and sinuses.

For example, a severe nose injury can cause a septal hematoma,  a condition characterized by an accumulation of blood in the septum (area between your nostrils), causing blockage and potential infection.⁴ This may result in a feeling of pressure behind and around the eyes.

Other Symptoms

• Swollen eyes
• Double vision
• Blurry vision
• Numbness around the injury
• Bulging or sunken eyes
• Severe pain when opening the mouth

Treatment

You can treat facial injuries using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) and pain relievers. ⁵ Antibiotics can also help in case the site of injury gets infected.

Severe facial injury cases such as septal hematoma may require a more invasive treatment like surgery to drain the fluid.

4. Tooth Pain

Toothaches affect about 40% of adults.⁶ While it may seem unlikely, a toothache can affect your eyes. Misalignment of the jaw or a sore tooth can cause tension in the face muscles. This can result in pressure behind the eye.

On the other hand, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the sinuses and eyes. Severe infection can cause swelling, inflammation, and a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

Other Symptoms

• Sharp, constant, or throbbing pain
• Fever (in case of infection)
• Headache
• Bad mouth odor
• Pus formation around the affected tooth

Treatment

A toothache can resolve by itself or with home remedies, such as a cold compress or over-the-counter pain and inflammation medication. Rinsing with salt water or hydrogen peroxide can also help clear the infection.

There are also natural remedies for tooth pain. These include clove oil, garlic, vanilla extract, and peppermint tea.

In severe cases, medical intervention is recommended. In case of cavity pain, your dentist will put a filling in it or take out the affected tooth.

5. Optic neuritis (ON)

Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve. This is a bundle of nerve fibers responsible for relaying visual information to the brain for interpretation.⁷ An inflamed optic nerve is accompanied by swelling, pain, eye pressure, and vision loss.

According to research, optic neuritis affects people of all ages but is common among adults 20 to 40 years old. It’s also common among Caucasians.⁸ Although the cause is unclear, scientists regard optic neuritis as an autoimmune disease where an infection (or other triggers) causes the immune system to attack the optic nerve.

Other conditions associated with optic nerve damage include multiple sclerosis (MS), Schilder’s disease, and neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Other Symptoms

• Mild to severe vision loss
• Eye pain that worsens with eye movement
• Abnormal pupil reaction to light
• Dyschromatopsia (inability to identify colors)
• Photophasia (flashing lights or floaters)
• Uhthoff’s phenomenon (worsening vision loss due to increased body temperature)

Treatment

Optic neuritis may resolve on its own within a few weeks if there are no underlying health conditions. Otherwise, illnesses such as Lyme disease, cat-scratch fever, measles, mumps, and herpes may act as triggers.

In some cases, doctors recommend steroid medications to ease optic nerve inflammation. The steroids are delivered intravenously (by vein injection).

Plasma exchange therapy can also help in vision recovery in the case of severe vision loss. However, studies haven’t confirmed the effectiveness of this therapy in repairing damaged optic nerves.

6. Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is an immune disorder resulting from overproduction of the thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).⁹ Although anyone can be affected, Graves’ disease is common among women and people below 40 years old, accounting for 60% to 80% of all hyperthyroid cases.

Symptoms of Graves’ disease may manifest all over the body, and pressure behind the eyes is common.

Other Symptoms

• Irritability
• Tremor of the hands or fingers
• Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Erectile dysfunction
• Muscle weakness
• Double vision
• Heat sensitivity
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irregular/fast heartbeat
• Bulging eyes
• Frequent bowel movements
• Sleep disturbance

The symptoms above may be associated with other diseases. See your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis if you suspect Graves’ disease.

Treatment

Graves’ disease is a lifelong condition. The following treatments aim to reduce thyroid hormone production and may result in temporary recovery:

• Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol and metoprolol). The first line of treatment regulates the heart rate and protects the heart to allow the medications to take effect.
• Antithyroid medications (e.g., methimazole and propylthiouracil). These block the production of the thyroid hormone.
• TEPEZZA (teprotumumab-trbw). Used to treat thyroid eye disease, a condition closely related to Graves’ and characterized by bulging eyes, eye pain, and double vision.
• Radioiodine therapy. It involves taking radioactive iodine for several months to destroy thyroid gland cells.
• Thyroidectomy. This surgery removes part of, or the entire, thyroid gland.

7. Eye Strain

Although eye strain is not a medical condition, it can cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.¹⁰ Eye strain may result from reading small prints, staring at a screen for extended periods, or driving for hours.

Other Symptoms

• Blurry vision
• Heavy eyelids
• Dry eyes
• Headache
• Muscle spasms
• Inability to keep eyes open

Treatment

The best solution for eye strain is rest. Take a break from strenuous activity until the pressure behind your eyes resolves.

Wearing proper prescription eyeglasses and adjusting fonts can protect your eyes against strain or drying. In case your eye strain is accompanied by a severe headache, over-the-counter pain medications can help.

When to Worry About Pain Behind Your Eye

Pain behind your eyes may not signal any serious problem. However, you need to consult your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Severe headache or fever
• Extreme light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Sudden vision changes
• Swelling in or around the eyes
• Difficulty moving or keeping eyes open
• Bleeding eyes
• Pus filled eyes

Diagnosing Pain Behind Eye 

If you experience pressure behind your eyes, your doctor will perform tests to determine the underlying cause. The tests may include:

• Endoscopy. Use of an endoscope to examine the hollow cavities of the body (esophagus, stomach, and the small intestine)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Blood tests and radioactive iodine uptake (for thyroid diseases)

If your eye pressure stems from your eye, an eye exam will be necessary. Your doctor will use a device called a slit lamp to examine the health of your optic nerve and surrounding structures.

If you have a jaw or tooth misalignment, you’ll be referred to a dentist to determine whether your situation is causing muscle strain and pressure behind your eyes.

Determining Treatment

To effectively relieve pressure behind the eyes, you must address the underlying cause. Over-the-counter medications are effective and safe for treating mild symptoms. However, seek professional medical advice if you experience severe eye pressure accompanied by other symptoms such as swollen eyes, severe inflammation, eye pain, or vision loss.  

Your eye doctor will recommend appropriate treatment based on the diagnostic findings.

Summary

Pressure behind the eye is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness inside the eye. Someone with pressure behind the eyes may require immediate medical attention depending on the underlying cause. The pressure may stem from within the eye or from other parts of the head.

Several causes of pressure behind the eyes include facial trauma, migraines, headaches, eye strain, sinusitis, optic neuritis, toothaches, and Graves’ disease. 

Most of these causes have similar symptoms. Professional diagnosis is important in determining the exact cause and guiding treatment.

In this article

Eye pain: causes, diagnosis and treatment

Pain in the eyes is a common symptom. It can indicate both an overstrain of the organs of vision, for example, during prolonged work at a computer, and serious diseases of the eyes and other organs and systems. Faced with severe pain, we experience stress from the unpleasant sensations themselves, as well as from the unknown nature of their origin. In this article, we will consider the causes of pain, talk about the diseases that cause it, as well as how to treat the disease.

Causes of discomfort

Pain in the eyes can be a symptom of overexertion or diseases of the organs of vision. These diseases are divided into endogenous, that is, having internal causes, and exogenous, arising under the influence of external factors, such as injuries. Ophthalmic diseases can be independent or, in the case of endogenous diseases, be the result of diseases of other organs and systems. Thus, endogenous keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) can occur in a patient with tuberculosis.

Not always pain behind the eyes or in the eyes is caused by problems of the visual system. If the patient does not observe changes in the sclera (proteins) – there is no redness, itching, and vision itself does not deteriorate, the cause of the symptom may be diseases of other organs. We are talking about the so-called radiating pain, which occurs in a healthy organ (eye) due to nerve impulses coming from another (diseased) organ. For example, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve may respond with discomfort in the eyes.

Diseases causing eye discomfort

Consider which diseases can be manifested by pain in the eyes or a headache behind the eyeballs. Let’s start with ophthalmic diagnoses.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, that is, the mucous membrane of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis is manifested by redness, itching, swelling of the eyelids, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, and discharge. Causes of the disease:

• bacteria,

• viruses,

• allergic reactions,

• diseases of the eyelids, such as blepharitis.

The most severe pain is caused by bacterial conjunctivitis, it is also accompanied by purulent secretions that stick together eyelashes during sleep.

Keratitis

This inflammatory disease affects the cornea, is manifested by pain and severe pain, a feeling of dryness, reddening of the conjunctiva, edema, photophobia, lacrimation, decreased visual acuity. Like conjunctivitis, keratitis is caused by bacteria and viruses. For example, when affected by herpes, the patient feels acute pain, tree-like defects are visible on the surface of the cornea. Adenovirus keratitis, in addition to the main symptoms, causes clouding of the cornea.

Uveitis

Inflammation of the choroid of the eye. It occurs due to viruses and bacteria, under the influence of secondary infections, with immunodeficiency, trauma, systemic connective tissue diseases, such as arthritis. The patient feels pain with anterior uveitis, that is, inflammation of the iris or ciliary body. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated at night and by pressure on the eyeball. Other symptoms are decreased visual acuity, lacrimation, photophobia, redness of the eye.

Glaucoma

One of the most serious eye diseases. Glaucoma is caused by high intraocular pressure. At first, it entails a deterioration in peripheral vision; if left untreated, it can lead to the death of the optic nerve and blindness.

Severe pain in the eyeballs (especially with pressure) and areas around them is a symptom of glaucoma. He is accompanied by:

• headache of the dorsal and temporal region,

• blurred vision,

• reduced vision at night,

• the appearance of a halo when looking at a light source,

• pupil dilation, lack of reaction to light,

• weakness, nausea, dizziness.

Optic neuritis

Inflammation of the optic nerve in most cases (90%) is manifested by pain when moving the eyes. Unpleasant sensations can be observed with a static position of the eyeballs. With neuritis, visual acuity decreases in a short time (from several hours to two days), peripheral visual acuity decreases especially, color perception worsens, blind spots appear, the patient sees “flies” before his eyes, and may experience nausea. Often, optic neuritis is combined with multiple sclerosis, becomes its manifestation.

In addition to diseases, injuries can cause pain in the eyes, for example, a foreign body entering the surface of the visual organ or inside it. Sharp pain is provoked by thermal and chemical burns, including from the improper use of household chemicals.

Pain syndrome can be the result of eye strain. It affects people who are forced to concentrate their gaze for a long time. For example, eye muscles due to overexertion can hurt truckers, jewelers, as well as people working at a computer. Pain increases with eye movement and decreases with relaxation exercises such as the Bates exercises.

What ailments, not directly related to vision, contribute to the appearance of pain? Here are some of them.

Increased intracranial pressure

Hypertension occurs as a result of a deterioration in the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid. Outflow can be disturbed for various reasons – from obesity to heavy metal poisoning. The disease is manifested by a throbbing headache, as well as pain in the eye sockets. Discomfort increases mainly in the morning. Also, the patient may complain of tinnitus, nausea, dizziness. Over time, a patient with hypertension begins to see worse, the field of view decreases.

Trigeminal neuralgia

The defeat of the trigeminal nerve is characterized by a sharp shooting pain in one side of the face. Attacks last about two minutes, unpleasant sensations go from the side of the face to the center. Neuralgia, as a rule, causes compression of the trunk of the trigeminal nerve, it can occur due to the pathology of blood vessels, neoplasms, changes in the structure of the skull (with injuries, chronic sinusitis and otitis media).

Migraine

Migraine is manifested by severe throbbing headache and pain in the eye sockets, as well as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, sensitivity to smells and sounds. Often this is a genetic disorder. Various factors can cause an attack: stress, sleep disturbance, food, changing weather conditions.

Cluster headaches

This is a series of attacks of severe pain around one of the eyes, which can also spread to one side of the forehead, temple, cheek. In addition to pain, the patient is faced with lacrimation, tachycardia, redness of the face, eyes, blurred vision. Attacks occur at the same time for several days, weeks or even months. Then remission lasts for about three years. Probably, the cause of the disease lies in the disruption of the hypothalamus.

When to see a doctor

Any negative impact on the eyeballs from the outside can lead to impaired visual function, so it is very important to seek help as soon as possible if you experience injury or burns. A sudden attack of acute pain for reasons unknown to you also requires immediate medical attention – use the services of an ambulance.

See an ophthalmologist if you experience persistent pain in or behind your eyes. Any pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, should be the reason for a visit to a specialist. If the causes of discomfort are not ophthalmic diseases, the doctor will refer you to his colleagues – a general practitioner, neurologist, endocrinologist.

Only a professional will be able to correctly establish the cause of discomfort, which will allow not only to remove the symptom, but also to begin therapy for the disease that provokes it.

Pain management

Therapy is prescribed by the doctor depending on the diagnosis. What can you do on your own before meeting with a specialist? In case of burns, rinse eyes with running water. In case of injury, rest the affected eye, you can put a bandage on it. If you are faced with inflammation, remove the discharge in time, you should also not use contact lenses and use cosmetics.

To relieve the symptom, the ophthalmologist may prescribe painkillers. To combat the cause of inflammation – antibacterial and antiviral drugs, or antihistamines, if the inflammation is caused by allergies.

Glaucoma in the early stages is treated with drops that reduce intraocular pressure and improve metabolism in the tissues of the eye. In the later stages, laser and surgery may be required.

With optic neuritis, steroid hormones and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Additionally, multiple sclerosis therapy can be carried out if it provoked neuritis.

If the cause of the pain is high intracranial pressure, conservative or surgical treatment is performed, depending on the causes of the disease. With trigeminal neuralgia, a complex of drugs is prescribed, including anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, and sedatives. In cases of migraine and cluster pain, the use of analgesics is necessary.

Follow the instructions of specialists to fight not only the symptom, but also its causes. Never engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment!

Last time we talked about the best eye drops for dryness and pain.

Pain in the eyes, where to turn and how to treat

Pain in the eyes is one of the most common eye symptoms. It affects both one and both eyes and may involve the area around the eyes and the space behind the eye. Here we will consider why the eyes hurt, what examination you need to undergo and how you can influence the cause.

Contents

Eye fatigue

Dry eye

Conjunctivitis

Keratitis

Corneal erosion

Uveitis

Sclerite

Barley

Glaucoma attack

Optic neuritis

Sinusitis

Migraine

Cluster headache

Diagnostics

Common causes of eye pain are fatigue, allergies, contact lens complications, infections, inflammation, toxins and high intraocular pressure.

Eye fatigue

Pain, tearing and dry eyes often develop after several hours of intense visual work on digital screens, while reading, driving or being exposed to bright lights. Symptoms occur more quickly in people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, weakness of the oculomotor muscles, or poor accommodation.

Proper correction of visual defects, muscle training and breaks in work will relieve discomfort. It is advisable to break away from close work every 20 minutes and look into the distance for 20 seconds, and take 15-minute breaks every 2 hours. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of screens, taking regular breaks in driving, using sunglasses, polarized and anti-glare glasses while driving also help.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes develop when the lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears to keep the eyes moist. This is manifested by short-term stabbing pains, burning, increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision or double vision, redness of the eyes. Dryness usually worries the elderly, more often women and patients with blepharitis, autoimmune diseases, lack of vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Air conditioning, smoke, wind, smoking can aggravate this condition.

Dry eye treatment consists of eyelid hygiene and eye drops. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe cytostatic and hormonal drugs or surgery.

Conjunctivitis

Allergic, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis causes eye redness, itching, burning, watery eyes, white, yellow or green discharge.

Allergic conjunctivitis requires treatment with antiallergic agents both topically and in tablets and prophylactic treatment before the exacerbation season. Viral conjunctivitis resolves on its own without treatment. For patients with bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops or ointment will help to cope with the disease faster. Microbial conjunctivitis is contagious, so patients should wash their hands frequently, use a separate towel, and avoid swimming in the pool so as not to infect others.

Keratitis

People with weak immune systems, diabetes mellitus, corticosteroid users, farm and garden workers, and contact lens wearers are at high risk of developing fungal, viral, and bacterial infections of the cornea. Keratitis is manifested by pain, redness, blurred vision, high sensitivity to light.

Treat these inflammations with antimicrobial eye drops, ointments, and tablets. In severe cases resort to surgical treatment.

Corneal erosion

Corneal scratches may occur during contact lens donning, makeup application, trauma, eye rubbing due to a foreign body. In addition to pain, there is a feeling of a mote in the eye, redness, lacrimation, photophobia, blurred vision. Erosion usually does not require treatment and heals the next day. Sometimes recurrent erosion develops – it repeats from time to time and usually worries at night and at the time of awakening. Then prescribe moisturizing drops and laser surgery to strengthen the corneal epithelium.

Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the eye due to injury, infection or autoimmune disease. It is accompanied by acute pain, a sharp drop in vision, redness of the eye and photophobia.

Treat uveitis with topical or systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Scleritis

Inflammation of the white part of the eye accompanied by acute pain. The inflamed area of ​​the sclera first turns red, and then becomes thinner and becomes purple or dark blue.

The disease is dangerous and requires urgent treatment with antibiotics and steroids.

Barley

Barley – inflammation of the ciliary follicle. It is manifested by pain on the edge of the eyelid at the site of eyelash growth and a rounded formation with purulent contents.

Hot compresses and antibiotic drops are used for treatment. Sometimes you have to resort to systemic antibiotics and surgical opening of the inflamed area.

Attack of glaucoma

The pain can be both acute and unbearable, and mild. There may be a headache. At the same time, the eye turns red and sharply loses sight, the cornea becomes cloudy, iridescent circles appear when looking at a light source.

Treatment is immediate reduction of eye pressure. First, the pressure is reduced with medication, and then laser surgery is performed to prevent a recurrence of the attack. For prevention, be sure to perform the same operation on the second eye.

Optic neuritis

Inflammation of the optic nerve occurs as a manifestation of multiple sclerosis, lupus and infections of the brain. It is accompanied by sudden loss of vision and pain behind the eye that worsens with eye movement.

Treat neuritis with corticosteroids and, together with a neurologist, treat the underlying disease.

Sinusitis

A sinus infection causes pain and swelling around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. Sinusitis is indicated by a stuffy nose, runny nose, and fever.

The treatment is carried out by an otorhinolaryngologist with antibiotics, steroids, physiotherapy and surgical methods.

Migraine

Migraine – paroxysmal throbbing headache. It can cause severe eye or brow pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting. The attack lasts from several hours to 3 days and can be repeated with different frequency.

Cluster headache

A series of attacks of acute headache several times a day for several days or weeks. First, it plugs the ear, then there is a burning, boring or throbbing pain behind the eye or at the temple. The eye turns red, watery, the nose is blocked and discharge appears.