Migraine Eye Pain: Types, Causes and Treatments
Approximately 18% of women and 6% of men suffer from migraine.
Migraine eye pain may also happen along with the headache.
There may be many reasons why Migraine eye pain might happen.
Some of these reasons include Migraine headaches. Cluster headaches, tension headaches, and other headaches like sinus headaches can also cause Migraine eye pain.
The cause of the headache may depend on the type of headache.
The treatment also depends on the cause and type of headache.
Causes of pain behind the eye
Headache behind the eyes may be caused by:
Migraine headache
Migraine headaches will begin with pain around the eyes and the temple.
They can even spread to the back of your head.
You may also have an aura, which includes visual signs like a halo or flashing lights that may come before the start of the pain.
It can happen due to various factors, such as migraine and sleep problems.
You may also have other symptoms, such as nausea, congestion, or a runny nose with it. You may become sensitive to lights, smells, and sounds.
They can last from several hours to a few days.
Tension headaches
They are the most common headache types. Tension headaches usually lead to dull pain on both sides of your head or across the front and behind your eyes.
The shoulders and neck may also hurt.
These headaches may last from 20 minutes to a few hours.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches cause severe pain around the eyes. Mostly around just one eye.
They usually come in groups. You might have several headaches every day for a few weeks.
After this, you may not experience any headaches for around a year or more before they start again.
You may also have watery eyes, a red, flushed face, and congestion.
The attacks that happen may last for 30 to 60 minutes.
Cluster headaches can be strong at times. You may become restless and unable to stand.
Although they aren’t prevalent, they are more common in men.
Sinus headaches
A sinusitis or a sinus infection can cause a headache around your nose, eyes, cheeks, forehead, and even your upper teeth. This is where the sinuses are located.
You might also have a fever, congestion, and a thick nasal discharge.
The pain will usually get worse throughout the day.
Actual sinus headaches are rare. Cluster and migraine headaches can be mistaken for sinus headaches.
Eyestrain
When you stare at a computer screen or drive for too long, it may cause eye strain. .
Other symptoms of eyestrain include:
- Itchy, burning, or sore eyes
- Sore shoulders or back
Triggers for Migraine eye pain
Different things may set off each type of headache.
You might be getting migraines because of the following:
- Weather changes
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Noises
- Lights
- Things you eat or drink like alcohol
- Missing a meal
- Smells
Things that might trigger a tension headache include:
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Problems with muscles or joints in the jaw or neck
- Missing a meal or dehydration
- Certain smells
- Noise
Cluster headaches are triggered by:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Medications
Migraine eye pain treatment
There are many treatment regimes you can follow to treat the headache behind your eyes:
Home remedies for Migraines behind the eyes
Ice packs or caffeine are effective against headaches.
You can use a heating pad or a warm shower if it is a tension headache. You can also rest until the headache goes away.
It would be best if you tried to find better ways to handle stress.
Learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga. Also, remember to eat meals and get well-rested.
In a sinus infection, breathe in moist and warm air from a pot of boiling water or a vaporizer to ease congestion.
A warm compress can also help.
If your eyes strain easily, blink more, and take more breaks. Artificial tears may help in refreshing the yes.
Keep checking in with the doctor to ensure your vision prescription is up to date, and talk about doing eye exercises to strengthen the eye muscles.
Medications for Migraines behind the eyes
There are over-the-counter medications available to ease occasional headaches. It may also help with your Migraine if taken early.
Doctors recommend Acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or Naproxen.
Remember that taking them too often can also trigger your headaches.
If tension headaches are frequent, the doctor may prescribe medications like Amitriptyline which help many people.
Prescription drugs may be the only thing to ease migraine pain. Some of them include Almotriptan, Eletriptan, and Rizatriptan.
If taken early enough, they will help most people within 2 hours.
People with chronic migraines often take medicines like beta blockers or antidepressants daily to help them out.
Breathing pure oxygen may also help with cluster headaches.
Injected triptans also help. Some take medicines such as Verapamil or Prednisone to avoid attacks.
You can treat a sinus headache by clearing up the infection. Your doctor might suggest antibiotics and decongestants.
Takeaway
The cause of the headache depends on the type of headache.
Treatments also, therefore, depend on the type of headache that you are experiencing.
You can reduce your headache by reducing eye strain and even taking medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to relieve migraine eye pain?
You can use ice packs, try changing your diet, reduce or eliminate alcohol and smoking and use over-the-counter medications to relieve Migraine eye pain.
Does Migraine cause eye pain?
A migraine pain begins around the eye and temple and then spreads across the entire head. Some symptoms of migraines also include vision changes.
Why does my Migraine hurt behind my eye?
The headache behind the eyes can be a symptom of tension headache, cluster headache, allergies, or sinus problems. The Migraine will hurt different places behind the eye depending on the type of headache.
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