Why do I get headaches behind my eyes?

Pain behind the eyes is a common symptom usually linked to specific types of headaches, sinus pressure, or eye strain.

Here are the most likely causes:

• Migraines: These often cause a severe, throbbing pain behind one eye. Migraines are usually accompanied by other symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, or visual auras (flashing lights or zig-zag lines).
• Cluster Headaches: These cause extremely severe, piercing, or burning pain strictly behind or around one eye. They occur in cycles (clusters) over weeks or months and often cause a watery eye, a drooping eyelid, or a runny nostril on the affected side.
• Tension Headaches: The most common type of headache, often described as feeling like a tight band squeezing the head. This dull, steady pressure can sometimes settle behind the eyes.
• Sinus Headaches (Sinusitis): Inflammation or infection in your sinus cavities can create intense pressure and a deep ache behind your eyes, cheeks, and forehead. This usually comes with nasal congestion, a reduced sense of smell, or a fever.
• Eye Strain: Staring at digital screens for too long, reading in poor light, or needing an updated vision prescription can fatigue your eye muscles, leading to a dull ache behind the eyes.

When to seek immediate medical attention:
Go to an emergency room if the headache is sudden and explosively severe (often called a "thunderclap" headache), or if the pain is accompanied by vision loss, double vision, confusion, numbness, trouble speaking, or a stiff neck. These can be signs of a serious medical emergency, such as acute glaucoma or an aneurysm.