Headache pain behind the eye: what to know

Migraine may feel deep or throbbing and can be accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity or visual disturbance. Congestion, facial pressure and a recent cold can make pain seem to sit behind the eye; allergic rhinitis or sinus inflammation may be involved. Eye strain may feel worse after reading or screen use, while dry eyes can cause burning or aching. Fever, unusual tiredness, vomiting, poor fluid intake or heat exposure can suggest a broader illness or dehydration. A painful red eye, blurred vision or halos is not something to explain away as an ordinary headache. The depth of the pain alone cannot identify its source.

Rest your eyes and head in a quiet place, lower screen brightness and use regular distance breaks. Drink fluids and cool yourself if you have been in heat. A cool compress over closed eyelids may be comfortable, but do not press on the eye. Follow the label for any pain medicine and ask a pharmacist about interactions or suitability with your health history. Keep notes on whether pain is one-sided, whether eye movement changes it, and whether you have congestion, fever, nausea, redness or sight changes.

Seek immediate help for sudden severe headache, new weakness, confusion, fainting, seizure, speech difficulty, or fever with a stiff neck. Treat severe eye pain, a red eye, loss of vision, double vision, or pain after an eye or head injury as urgent. Arrange a clinician review if pain behind the eye is new, keeps returning, lasts despite self-care, or is accompanied by persistent vomiting or fever.

Could my eye itself need examination, or does the pattern suggest migraine or sinus symptoms? Does eye movement matter? Which warning signs should send me to urgent care, and what pain relief is safe for me?