Whenever a new pain starts, it causes anxiety and we immediately look for answers. This is especially true with pain behind the eyes; the thought of losing vision is a horrifying one for most of us. Luckily, most causes for pain behind the eyes can be simple and benign, but there are a few cases where it can be a medical emergency.
If you believe you could be having a medical emergency, contact a medical professional and seek treatment immediately. Here are some possible causes for pain behind the eyes:
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is simply an inflammation of a sinus cavity, which can be caused by myriad issues, most of them benign. Since our sinus cavities are so near the eyes and can cause headaches, they can cause pain that feels like it is coming from behind the eye. Sinusitis can be caused by allergies, bacterial or viral infections, and other less common issues like cancer of the sinuses. If you have a cold, allergy symptoms, or a sinus infection and are experiencing pain behind your eyes, it should be transient. Medications that relieve inflammation may help, as well as treating the underlying condition.
Headache
Most pain behind your eyes is caused by headaches, which can be caused by countless conditions. For patients with vision issues, this can be a common occurrence. Correcting your vision with LASIK can remedy this problem in the long term, providing relief and often perfect vision.
Some other causes for headaches include: stress, dehydration, and a lack of sleep. Straining your eyes to read small text or see far away objects can also cause shooting pains behind your eyes as your nerves and muscles work harder.
Glaucoma
The inside of your eye is filled with fluid, and when that fluid’s pressure becomes too high, this causes a condition known as glaucoma. Most cases of glaucoma are in fact painless, so this usually isn’t the case. Glaucoma can cause vision blurring, distortion, and even blindness. Glaucoma can be considered a medical emergency. If you notice changes in your vision with your eye pain, it is necessary to seek treatment to ensure your vision is undamaged.
Dry Eyes
One of the most common and easily treated reasons for eye pain is dry eyes. Light sensitivity and headaches are common. Try over-the-counter remedies to lubricate your eyes and see if they improve. If this works, but you find yourself using the drops daily, you may have a larger condition causing the dry eyes and should see an eye doctor ASAP.
Optic Neuritus
Optic neuritis is when the optic nerve becomes inflamed. This condition can be a sign of multiple sclerosis, which is a degenerative neurological disease. Prolonged eye pain should always be evaluated by a doctor to ensure nothing serious is causing your discomfort. Most of these conditions can be managed or mitigated to preserve your vision. This kind of inflammation can also be caused by infection, so do not jump to worst-case scenarios.
Irisitis
The Iris is the colored muscle surrounding the pupil of your eye. When this muscle becomes inflamed by irritation or infection, it can easily cause deep eye pain. Blurred vision and light sensitivity are signs of Irisitis.
When to Consult an Eye Doctor
If the pain is unbearable, you should seek emergency medical attention, as certain deadly conditions or blindness inducing conditions can occur acutely. For prolonged eye pain, seeing your doctor is a good idea to eliminate the possibility of any infection or underlying condition.
If it is simply a case of poor vision putting too much strain on your eyes, correcting your vision is the best option. LASIK is a procedure that can permanently improve your vision to perfect levels. Contact Advanced Eye Medical today for an appointment or consultation!