Feeling Pressure Behind Left Eye?
Are you experiencing pain or pressure behind your left eye? If so, you’re not alone. Pressure behind the left eye is a common complaint that can be caused by a variety of factors, from migraines to sinusitis to eyestrain. In some cases, it may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as a brain tumor or optic neuritis.
Understanding the potential causes and symptoms of pressure behind the left eye is important for seeking appropriate treatment and alleviating discomfort. In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of pressure behind the left eye, along with common symptoms and treatments. Whether you’re dealing with occasional discomfort or chronic pain, read on to learn more about this common condition and how to manage it.
Cause of Pressure behind left eye
Pressure behind left eye can be due to many reasons. Some of them are:
- Migraines: Migraines are a common cause of pain behind the left eye, affecting around 12% of the US population. Research suggests that migraines may be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies like acupuncture have been shown to be effective in treating migraines.
- Sinusitis: Sinusitis is a common condition affecting millions of people each year. It can be caused by an infection or allergies, and symptoms can include pain and pressure behind the eyes, congestion, and facial pain. Treatment may include antibiotics, decongestants, and saline nasal sprays.
- Eyestrain: While eyestrain is a common cause of pain behind the eyes, there is limited research on the topic. However, studies have shown that taking breaks from digital devices, adjusting lighting and screen settings, and practicing eye exercises can help prevent and alleviate eyestrain.
- Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are a rare type of headache that affect less than 1% of the population. They are characterized by severe pain behind the eyes and can be accompanied by other symptoms like nasal congestion and tearing. Medications like sumatriptan and oxygen therapy have been shown to be effective in treating cluster headaches.
- Optic neuritis: Optic neuritis is a rare condition that affects around 1 in 5,000 people. It can cause pain behind the eyes, loss of vision, and other vision problems. It is often associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be an early symptom of the condition. Treatment may include medications to reduce inflammation and manage MS symptoms.
- Trauma: Trauma to the head or eyes can cause pain behind the eyes. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may include medications, surgery, or other interventions.
- Brain tumor: While brain tumors are a rare cause of pain behind the eyes, they are a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the type and location of the tumor.
Anyone who notices symptoms such as frequent pressure behind left eye, Eye pain, loss of vision, bulging eyes, fever, frequent headaches, or facial swelling should see their doctor.
If the doctor is unable to make a diagnosis, they will refer the person to an appropriate expert who can investigate more thoroughly.Some of these experts include:
- ear, nose, and throat specialists
- dental surgeons
- neurologists, specializing in brain and nerve issues
- ophthalmologists, specializing in eye issues
What to do if you have a feeling of pressure behind left eye?
This pressure will often be due to simple headaches or sinus conditions, which are easy to deal with and unlikely to cause complications.
Your medication may include:
- ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen to treat headaches
- antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays, or antihistamines to treat sinus infections
However, pressure behind the eyes may be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as optic neuritis or Graves’ disease. In these cases, seek further treatment.
If the pressure behind your eye is accompanied with a toothache : This may be a a result of infection. An infection of teeth may cause throbbing pain and feelings of pressure to spread to nearby parts of the face, as the surrounding nerves become affected.In this case, you may see a dentist.
Eye Pressure and Glaucoma
Research shows that high eye pressure increases your risk for glaucoma. Experts believe that when the pressure inside your eye gets too high, it can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. And studies show that lowering eye pressure can help stop vision loss from glaucoma. That’s why it’s important to control the pressure inside your eyes.
But not everyone with high eye pressure will develop glaucoma — and some people with normal eye pressure get glaucoma. Whether you develop glaucoma depends on the amount of pressure your optic nerve can handle — and this amount is different for each person. For most people, eye pressure above 21 is higher than normal.
Getting regular dilated eye exams can help your eye doctor figure out what level of eye pressure is normal for you.
The pressure in your eye gets higher when fluid can’t drain normally out of the front of your eye.
Between the cornea (clear front layer of the eye) and the iris (colored part of the eye), there’s a space called the anterior chamber. Fluid normally flows through this space and out of an opening where the iris and cornea meet. The opening has spongy tissue in it, called the trabecular meshwork. The fluid passes through the meshwork to drain out of the eye.
Sometimes the trabecular meshwork blocks the fluid from draining back into the bloodstream, which increases pressure inside the eye. This pressure buildup is shown in the diagram below.
Pressure behind eyes and Headache
In some cases pain behind left eye can be due to a pressure headache and this is when you experience increased pressure in a specific area. The pressure in this area will surround the tissue as well as press on the nerve fibers and this combination leads to the activation of pain receptors. The cause of pressure headaches can vary widely including sinus congestion or eye problems such as glaucoma.
Sinus headaches are caused by sinus infections and have similar symptoms to cluster headaches. The pain occurs in a specific area and is pressure-like and is made worse by any sudden head movements (such as bending forward). It also gets worse during the morning due to draining and collecting of mucus. Sinus headaches are also frequently accompanies by moderate to mild fever, postnasal drip, sore throat and green or yellow nasal discharge.
An eye migraine is also known as a retinal, basilar, opthalmoplegic, ophthalmic or ocular migraine. These migraines more commonly affect kids and young men and tend to cause pain in only one of your eyes. In many cases eye migraines are accompanied by nausea or congestion. They can also include symptoms related to the vision such as dilated pupils, drooping eyelids or double vision. You should always consult your doctor if you experience these problems to rule out underlying conditions.
Pressure behind eyes and graves disease
If along with pressure behind the eye , you have these symptoms, you may have a graves disease and you should go consult an opthalmologist.
- Change in the appearance of the eyes (usually staring or bulging eyes)
- A feeling of grittiness in the eyes or excessive dryness in the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Intolerance of bright lights
- Swelling or feeling of fullness in upper or lower eyelids
- New bags under the eyes
- Redness of the lids and eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Pain in or behind the eye, especially when looking up, down or sideways
- Difficulty moving the eyes
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