Headache Behind Eyes

Headache behind eyes is a common problem. However, the causes of such discomfort can be myriad. The main physiological reason for headache behind the eyes is failure of the lens and cornea to work properly. The result is that the image formed by the eyes can't be focused on the retina. This puts extra pressure on eye muscles and what one experiences is bad headache behind eyes. Most commonly, people complain of pain behind only one eye. However, this kind of headache can also be double-sided. Other causes could be problem in the nerves and blood vessels of the eyes.

Causes of Headache Behind Eyes

Tension headaches are the most common headaches that occur behind the eyes. They are caused due to lack of sleep, stress or eye strain. Such headaches are usually cured, once one has taken enough rest. However, headaches behind eyes can be due to one of the following eye problems:

Astigmatism: People suffering form astigmatism have retina of an irregular shape. Due to this reason, objects seen from certain angle, appear hazy. In order to have a clearer view, people squint and that causes strain on the muscles of the eyes. This leads to severe headache.

Presbyopias: With age, our eye lens lose their flexibility. It is because of this reason, that old people have difficulty in viewing close objects. Other problems due to presbyopias include, sore eyes, close focusing of images and headaches.

Hyperopia or Long Sightedness: In this disorder, image of an object is focused behind the retina, instead of being focused on it. As one strains his eyes to be able to view the image properly, the eye muscles are weakened. This causes headaches.

Migraine: There are different types of migraine that cause headache behind eyes. Opthalmoplegic migraine causes headache that may last from days to a few months. Retinal migraine causes extreme stress on eye muscles, that may lead to partial and also complete loss of vision. People who suffer from sinusitis experience extreme pain behind the eyes, along the nose and cheeks.

Cluster Headaches

Apart from those discussed above, there is a different type of headache that causes extreme pain on one side of the head behind the eye. It may also be accompanied by a burning sensation on one side of the nose. These headaches occur as excruciating, stabbing pain behind the eyes, that appear in episodes over a period of many weeks and are known as cluster headaches. The pain peaks in less than 5 minutes and can last for an hour. This is less common, yet more severe than any other kind of headache. The exact cause of this ailment is not known. However, according to some experts the cause lies in the trigerminal nerve, whereas, others believe that cluster headaches are caused due to problems in the deep vascular channels of the head.

How to Deal with Headache Behind the Eyes?

Tension headaches usually vanish after a period of rest or by simple manual therapy. The following exercise can also bring relief. For carrying out this exercise, lie on something hard like the floor. With the thumbs, find the base of the skull. Now lean back on your thumb and press hard. Hold this position for as long as you can. In case, the headache is behind one eye, do this exercise with one thumb tracing the base of that side of the skull, that lies on the same side as the eye that hurts. Breathe deep while doing this exercise. Massage therapy, acupuncture and prescription medicines ensure headache relief for those suffering from migraine. In some cases, correction of visual abnormalities can also help in curing headaches. In case of cluster headaches, seeking medical help is the best option.

There are a number of synthetic drugs available, that help in dealing with headache behind eyes. However, as they say 'Prevention is better than cure', a proper diet, good rest and eye care is the best way to deal with such discomforts. One can even look for exercises for the eyes that improve vision and strengthen eye muscles.