Pressure behind the eyes can feel like a throbbing, pressure or tightness in the head, just behind the eye sockets.

Pressure behind the eyes can feel like a throbbing, pressure or tightness in the head, just behind the eye sockets. The most common causes of pressure behind the eyes are Headache: Tension-type headaches and migraines in particular cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

The most common causes of a feeling of pressure behind the eyes are:

Headache: Especially tension-type headaches and migraines cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

Eye strain: Working in front of a screen for long hours, not wearing glasses even though they are necessary, or inadequate eyeglass ratings can cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

Sinusitis: There are empty air-filled spaces called “sinuses” near our eyes and nose. Inflammation of these areas is called “sinusitis” and can cause a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

Dental problems: A toothache can be felt as pain or pressure behind the eye.

Angle-closure glaucoma: There are several types of glaucoma (eye pressure). In open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, there is no pain, whereas in the so-called “angle-closure” type of glaucoma, pressure is felt in the eye and behind the eye.

What should we do if we feel pressure behind the eye?
If you feel pressure behind the eye, you should consult an ophthalmologist. After your ophthalmologist performs a complete eye examination, you should consult neurology, dentistry, ear-nose-throat departments.

December 2023