Many of us have heard of pain inside the eyes, which is often the result of a direct injury. However, ‘pain behind the eye’ is a relatively uncommon term and is used to describe some sort of pressure at the back of the eye. Often this sort of behind eye pain tends to travel to the forehead and temple as well.
Some Possible Causes of Pain Behind Eye
Glaucoma - Glaucoma is the term used to refer to a group of eye disorders that affect the optical nerve. There is more than one type of glaucoma and each one can cause irreparable optic nerve damage, which can eventually lead to loss of eyesight. The optic nerve actually sends visual data from the retina to the specific part of the brain for interpretation, acting as a medium of connection between the back of the eye and the brain.
Migraine Headaches - Migraines are long-lasting headaches that tend to start out causing mild discomfort and then eventually develops into throbbing pain. Some rare conditions that are sometimes associated with this type of headache are referred to as ophthalmologic or retinal migraine.
Severely Dry Eyes - Tear film is the name of the film of fluid that coats our eyes. This film keeps our eyes lubricated and moist, which prevents dryness in the eyes. If the tear film is unable to do its job properly, dry eyes are the result. This dryness can cause scratchy or burning sensations inside the eyes, but there may also be pain felt behind the eyes.
Optic Neuritis - The inflammation of the optic nerve, which conveys visual information to the brain, is known as optic neuritis. This transmission of visual facts from the eye to the brain is important for a properly functioning eye. If the optic nerve becomes inflamed, it is often the result of a viral or bacterial infection which not only causes eye pain but can also trigger vision loss.
(MS)Multiple Sclerosis - Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the immune system invades the myelin sheaths that act as protective coverings for innumerable nerves in the body. Nerves are mediums of communication between the brain and the different organs of the body. When MS affects the optic nerve, it results in stabbing pain around the eye when it is moving and is usually followed by progressive vision loss.
Sinusitis - The inflammation of the sinuses is a condition that is referred to as sinusitis. The hollow cavities located in the skull are known as the sinuses. More accurately, the sinuses are the air-filled spaces in the bony structure and forehead of the skull. Sinuses are located on the face and the four pairs of them are linked to the nasal passages.