Do you sometimes feel this pounding pain at the back of the eyes – like you’re being stabbed with an ice-pick? The sensation is coupled with a throbbing headache, and can also bring on sensitivity to light and some temporary vision impairment. The onset of back-eye pain is so inexplicable and so sudden that people often panic, thinking they have a tumor, or a popped vessel behind the eyeball.
Truth is, the cause of back-eye pain can be hard to diagnose right away, because there could be any number of reasons why this is happening. Here are the most common among them:
Cluster Headache
• These headaches are significantly more painful than ordinary ones, and can keep you awake at night with intense pain shooting behind the eyes. Cluster headaches are often triggered by a sudden histamine or serotonin release, and other symptoms include red eyes, tearing and eye swelling.
Hormone Headache
• For women, a fluctuation of hormones can lead to serious pain behind the left eye. This is especially common during times when hormones are changing, such as pregnancy or menopause.
Migraine Headache
• People who suffer from migraine headaches experience some of the worst pain in the back of the eyes. A lot of migraine sufferers say their back-eye pains are chronic and come back at least once a month.
Ocular Migraine Headache
• Ocular migraine is a pretty rare condition that affects 1 out of every 200 people who suffer from migraines. Typically, ocular migraine brings on a splitting headache and extreme pain behind only one eye. This is a serious condition with risks of tumor presence, and medical help should be sought as soon as possible.
Sinus Headache
• Clogged sinuses cause these headaches, along with pain and pressure between the eyes and above the nose. These areas may be tender to the touch and the discomfort may get worse when you bend over or lie down.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BACK-EYE PAIN
Test For Food Allergies: Food allergies and intolerances often lie at the root of sudden onsets of back-eye pain and headaches. Have some tests done, like ELISA, a bio-meridian test, a meridian stress assessment test, a bio-analysis with bio-energetic test, and a food elimination diet.
Use A Neti-Pot: Clear nasal passages out with saline wash in a neti-pot.
Include More Magnesium: Magnesium is thought to improve pain behind the eyes related to glaucoma and migraine headaches. In the case of glaucoma, magnesium will relax blood vessel walls, and improve blood flow to the eyes.
Make Up For Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency: A lot of migraine sufferers exhibit a deficiency in this coenzyme. CoQ10 can prevent and reduce pain behind the eyes caused by migraine headaches. Increase intake of Coenzyme Q10 through foods and supplements.
Have A Low Glycemic Diet: Low sugar is a known trigger for migraine headaches, and it is often caused by a diet of high glycemic-index carbs (like breads and cereals). Eating low glycemic-index foods will help balance blood sugar levels and reduce eye pain symptoms. Examples of low-glycemic index foods:
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Brussel Sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cucumbers
• Cabbage
• Cauliflowers
• Celery
• Collard Greens
Practice Some Yoga Positions: Certain yoga poses like a Downward-Facing Dog, Dolphin Pose and Bridge Pose is proven to bring relief when practiced regularly.
Use Artificial Tear Drops: They will hydrate the tissues of the eyes. Explore prescription options for treating the underlying causes if the problem is extreme.
Use OTC Pain Medication: Get OTC medications such as Tylenol, Aleve, and Ibuprofen, getting enough sleep in a cool, quiet and dark room, and maintain a consistent sleep pattern.