Pain Behind Eye

Pain behind eye is relatively an uncommon term and is usually used to express some sort of pressure at the back of the eye. Many times, this pain at the back of the eye spreads to the temple and forehead.

Glaucoma is a term that refers to a group of eye disorders that affect the optic nerve. There are different types of glaucoma that can cause irreparable damage to the optic nerve, which eventually leads to loss of eyesight. The optic nerve that acts as a medium of connection between the back of the eye and the brain, actually sends visual data from the retina to the specific part of the brain for interpretation. Now, if something goes wrong with the optic nerve, it manifests in the form of pain behind the eyes.

Migraine is nothing but long-lasting headache that initially causes mild discomfort and then eventually aggravates to throbbing pain. However, there are some rare conditions associated with this type of headache and are referred to as ophthalmoplegic or retinal migraine.

In this condition, one may experience persistent pain in one side of the head and is accompanied by eyesight problems that trigger pain at the back of the eye. Sometimes the pain is felt around the eyeball, that eventually spreads to the forehead.

Our eyes are coated with a thin film of fluid, referred to as tear film. It keeps our eyes lubricated or moisturized and prevents dryness in eyes. When this thin film is unable to do its job properly, it causes dry eyes. Besides causing a scratchy or burning feeling inside the eyes, the pain may also be felt behind the eyes.

When the optic nerve that conveys visual information to the brain, gets inflamed, the condition is known as optic neuritis. The transmission of visual facts to the brain is very important for proper functioning of the eye. The inflammation of the optic nerve is often the result of viral or bacterial infection which not only causes pain at the back of the eye but also triggers loss of vision.

In this condition, the immune system invades the myelin sheaths that acts as a protective covering for innumerable nerves in our body. The nerve is a medium of communication between the brain and the different organs of the body. However, when this condition affects the optic nerve, it result in stabbing pain behind the eye and is followed by progressive loss of vision.

When the sinuses become inflamed, the condition is referred to as sinusitis. The sinuses are hollow activities located in the skull. To be more specific, these are air-filled spaces in the bony structure of the face and forehead. There are 4 pairs of sinuses located on the face and all are linked to nasal passages. These sinuses produce mucus (a semi liquid substance) that traps dust particles, entering the airways while breathing.

A sinus infection leads to excess production of mucus, which may block the sinuses and make them inflamed. The forehead, face, and the eyes face the brunt of inflammation of the sinuses. This is because the inflamed sinuses bring tremendous pressure on these body parts, including the eye. As a result, the person suffering from sinusitis, often complains about pain in between and behind the eye.

Early identification and intervention is the key to stop vision loss and restore eye health. Multiple sclerosis is treated with drugs like copaxone that thwart the invasion of immune system and protect the optical nerve. For effective management of glaucoma, the doctor may recommend usage of eye drops that contain beta blockers. On the other hand, optic neuritis that causes inflammation of the optic nerve, is treated with oral or intravenous steroids.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.