Headache Behind the Eyes

A headache behind the eyes can come from a number of causes, and it can trigger pain that lasts a few minutes, a few hours or a few days.

A headache behind the eyes is usually a symptom of some other problem or condition that affects the area. To relieve the headache, you first have to identify its cause.

Causes of a headache behind the eyes Sinusitis and other infections and conditions that affect the respiratory system can cause a headache behind the eyes, as can a number of other physical disorders.

Of course, tumors near the brain are sometimes a factor.

But the most common problem causing headaches in the area behind the eyes is related to vision. For one reason or another, the lens is not able to focus light correctly on the retina. When this happens, your brain compensates by tightening muscles around the eyes. After a while, these muscles become strained, triggering pain. There are a number of vision problems that are likely to result in discomfort behind the eyeball.

Astigmatism - The shape of the retina changes, distorting the image that lands on the retina. Light rays coming from certain angles do not focus properly, causing hazy vision. People with astigmatism often try to squint: this is a way of forcing the retina to focus differently. Constant squinting overworks the eye muscles, which can cause a headache behind the eyes.

Presbyopia - Normally, the lens of your eye is somewhat flexible. As we get older, however, we sometimes lose this flexibility. When this happens, we usually have trouble seeing objects that are close to us. This is one of the reasons many people need "reading glasses" as they get older. Once again, the struggle to make the eyes focus properly leads to eye strain, which can result in headaches.

Hyperopia - This causes the same kind of effect. Images that pass through the lens focus in an area behind the retina. As you try to correct the problem, eye muscle become tired and sore, resulting in pain behind the eyes.

General types of headaches Pain behind the eyes can also be part of a headache that affects a larger part of your head. There are several different categories of headaches that may be factors.

Tension - This type of headache causes pain behind the eyes more than any other. Stress, anxiety, fatigue and lack of sleep can all contribute to a tension headache. Once you reduce your stress levels and get some rest, tension headaches usually go away.

Migraine - These headaches (there are a number of different types) are also likely to cause pain behind the eyes. Some migraines are so severe they cause a visual aura: you see flashes of light, zigzagging patterns or even blind spots. Migraine headaches can also cause other sensations, including speech problems, numbness or tingling elsewhere in the body in addition to pain behind the eyes. Headache can begin in one or both eyes.

Cluster - This type can be the most maddening and debilitating of all. Cluster headaches last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours or even longer. They can occur over and over in the same day, and continue for weeks, months or even years. Cluster headaches often cause your eyes to become red and tear up. After effects include stuffiness and a runny nose.

In many instances, headaches result from malfunctioning blood vessels in your brain. These are caused by chemical changes in brain hormones.

Getting relief There are a number of over-the-counter drugs that can relieve a mild headache behind the eyes. If your headache persists for several days however, it's time to see a doctor. He or she may prescribe something stronger.

An eye exam may also be in order. Since many headaches come from uncorrected or poorly corrected vision problems, improving your vision may be the key to relieving your headaches.

There are a number of therapies that sometimes help, including massage and acupuncture.

Rest and freedom from stress can also play a role, since fatigue and anxiety are frequent causes of headache pain.