Headache Behind the Eyes: Causes, Symptoms & Relief

Medically Reviewed

Written by Pooja Rawat, Medical Content Writer

Are you feeling like your eyes are hurting along with a headache, or as if there is pressure building up behind your eyes? 

The most common causes of pain or headaches behind the eyes are migraine, tension headaches, eye strain, sinus problems, and cluster headaches. However, the location of the pain alone cannot tell you the exact underlying issue. Other symptoms, such as nausea, sensitivity to light, nasal congestion, redness of the eye, or changes in vision, can give important clues.

Most occasional headaches can be relieved with rest, hydration, screen breaks, or appropriate pain relief. But sudden severe headache, vision loss, a red and painful eye, or neurological symptoms demand urgent medical attention.

Read this blog to know the possible causes, symptoms, treatment options, and when you should see a doctor.

Also Read: Eye flu explained how to spot it prevent it and treat it at home

Quick Overview: Causes of a Headache Behind the Eyes

A headache behind the eyes can feel like dull pressure, throbbing, aching, burning, or sharp pain. It may affect one eye or both and can sometimes make daily activities such as working, reading, or looking at a screen unpleasant.

Read the table to get a quick idea of possible causes that can contribute to headaches behind the eyes:

What Does a Headache Behind the Eyes Feel Like?

A headache behind the eyes can feel different from person to person. Some individuals describe it as pressure deep inside the eye, while others experience throbbing or aching pain that radiates to the forehead or temples.

Also Read: Screen Fatigue Explained: All about Digital Eye Strain / Computer Vision Syndrome

You may notice:

• Pressure behind one or both eyes
• A dull or throbbing headache
• Eye pain or soreness
• Pain around the forehead or temples
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Blurred vision
• Watery or red eyes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Nasal congestion or facial pressure
• Neck and shoulder discomfort

Causes a Headache Behind the Eyes

Types of headaches that can cause pain behind your eyes are migraines, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and tension headaches. Additionally, eye strain can contribute to this kind of pain.

1. Migraine

A migraine is an extreme headache that causes throbbing, pulsing head pain on one side of your head.

It is one of the common reasons for headache pain behind the eye.

Migraine can be triggered by the following factors in a person:

• Lack of sleep
• Skipped meals
• Dehydration
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Bright lights
• Strong smells
• Alcohol
• Changes in weather

Head pain can begin on one side and shift to the opposite side. You may also experience pain around your eyes or temple, and sometimes, around your face, sinuses, jaw, or neck.

The headache phase of a migraine generally lasts at least 4 hours, but it can also last for days.

There is no single cure for migraines. But your doctor can help you manage migraine symptoms through the following:

• Prescribing medications.
• Avoiding migraine triggers.
• Using alternative migraine remedies.

2. Eye Strain (Also Known as Eye Fatigue & Asthenopia)

Eye strain is a common condition due to intense use of your eyes, such as by reading, using screens for long periods, or driving long distances.

Your eyes may hurt with a headache simply because they have been working continuously.

This is commonly known as digital eye strain.

You may notice:

• Tired or sore eyes
• Burning or dryness
• Watery eyes
• Temporary blurred vision
• Difficulty focusing
• Headache around or behind the eyes
• Neck and shoulder discomfort

One simple habit to relieve digital eye strain is to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

3. Sinusitis (Sinus Infection)

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues in your sinuses (spaces in the forehead, cheeks, and nose generally filled with air).

Sinus inflammation or congestion can build pressure behind the eyes and cause headaches because the sinuses are located around the nose, forehead, cheeks, and eye sockets.

You may also experience:

• Blocked or stuffy nose
• Thick nasal discharge
• Facial pressure
• Reduced sense of smell
• Cough
• Fever
• Pain that becomes worse when bending forward

There are many treatment options for sinusitis, based on your symptoms and how long you’ve had them. 

You can treat sinusitis at home with:

• Decongestants.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy medications.
• Nasal saline rinses.
• Drinking plenty of fluids

However, if symptoms of sinusitis don’t improve after 10 days, contact your doctor.

4. Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache is pain on one side of your head lasting from 15 minutes up to 3 hours. The pain happens daily for weeks to months, often occurring at the same time each day and up to eight times per day.

Cluster headaches are less common but can cause extremely severe pain behind one eye.

Other symptoms may occur on the same side as the pain, including:

• Red or watery eye
• Drooping eyelid
• Swelling around the eye
• Runny or blocked nostril
• Restlessness
• Facial sweating

Cluster headache treatment options may include:

• Medications to avoid headaches.
• Medications for the management of pain during an attack.
• If medications don’t help, your healthcare provider might recommend other treatment.

5. Tension Headaches

A tension headache is a headache that feels like there is a tight band wrapped around your head that exerts pressure on your forehead and temples. Doctors may refer to them as tension-type headaches.

Tension headaches are another possible explanation for headache and eye ache. They commonly cause a dull, pressing, or tightening sensation across the forehead and around both eyes.

Managing stress may be the most effective way to prevent a tension headache. If you have episodic headaches, your doctor may recommend that you start pain relievers.

How Do You Get Relief From a Headache Behind the Eyes?

There is no single treatment, as the options depend on what is causing the pain.

For occasional mild headaches without warning signs, you may try:

• Resting in a quiet or dimly lit room
• Drinking enough water
• Eating if you have skipped a meal
• Taking regular breaks from screens
• Applying a cool compress to the forehead or around closed eyes
• Using a warm compress for tense neck and shoulder muscles
• Getting adequate sleep
• Practicing relaxation or breathing exercises
• Using appropriate over-the-counter pain medicine if it is safe for you
  
  

If screen use is triggering eye pain and headache, then try to:

• reduce glare, 
• adjust screen brightness, 
• increase the text size if required, 
• and remember to blink regularly.

When Should You See a Doctor for Pain Behind the Eyes?

But frequent or unexplained headaches should be discussed with a doctor.

You should seek urgent medical attention if the pain is:

• Sudden and extremely severe
• Associated with sudden vision loss or double vision
• Accompanied by a red, painful eye and blurred vision
• Associated with weakness, facial drooping, confusion, difficulty speaking, or seizures
• Accompanied by fever and a stiff neck
• Linked to repeated vomiting or fainting
• Following a significant head or eye injury
• Associated with severe pain when moving the eye
• Getting progressively worse or happening much more frequently than before