That dull ache or tight sensation behind your eyes can be distracting and uncomfortable. You might find yourself rubbing your temples or closing your eyes for a moment, just hoping the feeling goes away. Our team at The Vision Place believes in empowering you with knowledge about your eye health, starting with what might be causing this pressure.
The feeling of pressure behind your eyes often comes from issues in other parts of your head or body, not just the eyes themselves. Our team can help you begin to understand the other factors contributing to this feeling by giving you a thorough eye exam.
Common Culprits and Causes for That Pressure Feeling
Headaches and Migraines
When your head hurts, it’s common to feel like it’s centered behind your eyes. Though headaches feel different for everyone, tension headaches can feel like a band of pressure around your head, while a migraine can bring intense, throbbing discomfort that makes your eyes extra sensitive to light.
In some cases, vision problems or eye strain may contribute to head pain, which is why scheduling a comprehensive eye exam can help determine whether your eyesight is playing a role in your headaches or migraines
Sinus Problems
Your sinuses are hollow spaces in your skull located around your eyes and nose. When they become inflamed from a cold or allergies, they can swell and create a deep pressure sensation. This can make the entire front of your face, including the area behind your eyes, feel uncomfortable. In some cases, the pressure may be stronger on one side, making one eye or one side of your face feel worse than the other.
Tooth Pain
It might seem strange, but a problem with a tooth can make your eyes hurt. An infection or even stress from clenching your jaw can send pain signals traveling up the nerves in your face. This can create a sensation of pressure in or behind your eye.
Other Health Conditions That Cause Eye Pressure
Graves’ Disease
Graves’ disease is a condition that affects the thyroid gland and can cause the tissues and muscles around your eyes to swell. This swelling can push the eyeball forward, leading to a feeling of pressure, dryness, and irritation. You may also notice your eyes appear to bulge.
Optic Neuritis
Your optic nerve acts like a cable connecting your eye to your brain. If this nerve becomes inflamed (a condition known as optic neuritis), it can cause pain that gets worse when you move your eyes. You may also notice that your vision seems dim or that colors look faded.
How an Eye Doctor in San Antonio Can Help
Talk About Your Symptoms
The first step our team takes is to listen to you. Describing what you feel, how long it’s been going on, and your overall health gives us important clues. This conversation helps narrow down the possibilities, as an eye exam can detect a wide range of health issues.
A Complete Eye Exam
To get a clear picture of your eye health, a complete eye exam is an important step. This helps the eye doctor to look at all the different parts of your eye, from the front surface to the optic nerve in the back. Our team also checks your vision and how well your eyes move and work together.
The technology we use helps provide in-depth information to understand your unique needs. Our team explains each step of the process so you feel informed and comfortable throughout your visit.
Simple At-Home Tips for Relief
A few simple actions at home can offer some temporary comfort while you wait for your eye exam. Giving your eyes a break from screens can help reduce digital eye strain, which sometimes feels like pressure. You can also try:
- Placing a cool compress over your eyes
- Resting in a quiet, dimly lit room
- Propping your head up slightly when you sleep
When to Schedule a Professional Visit
At-home care is helpful, but some signs indicate you should get a professional opinion. Paying attention to these symptoms can help you know when it’s time to get a closer look and a more complete evaluation. If you notice:
- Any changes in your vision
- The feeling of pressure is severe or happens often
- That you have a high fever or facial swelling
Discover Relief with Our Team
If you’re concerned about that pressure feeling or other changes in your vision, our team at The Vision Place is ready to help. Schedule a visit to get the answers and support you need on your eye health journey.