What Causes Headache Behind the Eyes?

Feeling a persistent headache behind your eyes can be unsettling, especially when it interrupts your busy day. Fortunately, these types of headaches aren’t dangerous for the most part.

However, you should consider seeking medical attention if you’re experiencing these headaches frequently. Understanding what the location of your headache means can help you alleviate the pain and avoid the same type of headache in the future.

Causes and Symptoms of Headaches Behind the Eyes

While most of these headaches aren’t a cause for concern, they do come from various sources. Depending on what’s causing your headache, you might experience different symptoms aside from pain behind the eyes.

Here are the most common causes of headaches behind the eyes: 

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Typically, people prone to tension headaches experience about one or two a month. 

However, some people experience them far more frequently. Symptoms of tension headaches include:

• Tight feeling or pressure in the forehead and behind the eyes
• Dull pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Scalp tenderness
• Increased sensitivity to light 

Migraines

Migraines often begin with severe pain behind the eyes. They also affect vision and other senses. 

Migraine pain can be so excruciating that it can prevent people from performing daily tasks. Symptoms include:

• Eye pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Sensitivity to smells
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mood changes
• Impaired vision
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking
• Flashing or bright lights

Migraine symptoms usually begin gradually and become more intense. Untreated migraine attacks can last from 4 to 72 hours.

Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache includes multiple short and painful headaches. Most last for less than an hour, but can cause hours-long pain as they occur in clusters of up to 8 headaches per day.

Cluster headaches trigger piercing pain, usually behind or around one eye. Other symptoms include:

• Swollen or droopy eyelid
• Red eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Red, flushed face
• Extreme sweating
• Runny nose or nasal congestion

Sinus Infection

A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, occurs when the lining of the sinuses is inflamed. This causes congestion in the sinuses, which often leads to a headache.

Typically, pressure across the cheeks, forehead, and behind the eyes accompanies congestion. This headache pain is uncomfortable but usually not unbearable. 

In addition to a sinus headache, you may also experience:

• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Fatigue
• Aching in upper teeth
• Worsened pain when lying down

Eye Strain

Sometimes problems with vision are the cause of headaches behind the eyes. Digital eye strain (computer vision syndrome) is associated with too much time spent looking at computer screens, phone screens, or televisions. 

Headaches and discomfort in one or both eyes are common symptoms of digital eye strain. Other symptoms may include:

• Dry eyes
• Blurry vision
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Back pain

Other Causes

Aside from the ones mentioned above, other conditions can lead to headaches behind the eyes. These include:

• Scleritis. Inflammation of the white outer wall (sclera) of the eye.
• Optic neuritis. Inflammation of the optic nerve.
• Graves’ disease. An autoimmune disorder that affects the eyes.
• Glaucoma. An eye disease that affects the optic nerve.
• Poor posture. Long-term poor posture causes muscle imbalances that may lead to headaches around the eyes.
• Dry eyes. This occurs when the eyes do not naturally produce enough tears to keep the eyes properly lubricated.
• Ruptured brain aneurysm. Causes sudden and severe pain that may occur behind the eyes.

How are Headaches Behind the Eyes Treated? 

Most people treat mild to moderate headaches with over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

OTC medications should only be used occasionally. Although generally safe, they can trigger side effects, including rebound headaches.

If OTC pain relievers don’t work, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as:

• Antidepressants
• Anticonvulsants
• Muscle relaxants
• Beta-blockers

Home Remedies for Headache Behind the Eyes

In some cases, you can relieve headaches behind the eyes through various lifestyle changes and at-home remedies such as:

• Daily exercise
• Avoiding or reducing alcohol use
• Avoiding processed foods
• Eliminating the use of tobacco
• Avoiding or reducing caffeine intake
• Managing stress with yoga, breathwork, or meditation
• Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Avoiding skipping meals
• Stick to a regular sleeping schedule
• Ease tension with a warm shower or heating pad
• Take frequent breaks from computer screens and other devices

Keeping your vision prescription updated is also a good way of preventing headaches.

How Are These Headaches Diagnosed?

Before going to a doctor, try to keep a log of your symptoms to help your healthcare provider pinpoint the potential cause. This includes headache timing, intensity, triggers, and medications used.

Doctors typically reserve imaging studies (such as CT angiography) for cases with specific concerning symptoms known as the SNOOP red flags:

• Systemic symptoms. Fever, weight loss
• Neurological symptoms. Vision changes, weakness
• Onset. Sudden severe headache beginning abruptly
• Older age onset. New headaches after age 50
• Pattern changes. Increasing frequency or severity