Blocked sinuses can cause discomfort and a sensation of pressure around the eyes. While sinus issues generally do not directly cause the high intraocular pressure (IOP) that leads to optic nerve damage in glaucoma, their close anatomical relationship means they can significantly impact eye comfort. Understanding the distinction between a feeling of pressure and actual measured IOP is important.
How Sinuses and Eyes Are Connected
The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities within the skull bones surrounding the nasal cavity. They include the maxillary sinuses beneath the eyes, frontal sinuses above, ethmoid sinuses between, and sphenoid sinuses behind the eyes. These sinuses are closely connected to the eye sockets (orbits). The roof of the maxillary sinus, for example, forms the floor of the orbit, and the ethmoid sinuses are directly situated between the eyes.
These structures share nerve pathways. All paranasal sinuses receive innervation from branches of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), which handles sensation in the face, including the eyes. The ophthalmic branch carries sensory information from the eye, eyelids, and forehead, while the maxillary branch innervates several sinuses. This shared innervation means inflammation or pressure in one area can be perceived in the other.
Impact of Sinus Issues on Eye Comfort and Pressure
Blocked or inflamed sinuses, a condition known as sinusitis, can lead to a sensation of pressure and pain around and behind the eyes. This discomfort arises from several mechanisms. Inflammation of the sinus lining causes swelling, which can physically press on the thin bony walls separating the sinuses from the orbits. This local pressure can result in a dull ache or fullness around the eyes, particularly when bending over or lying down.
Nerve pathways also play a role in this perceived pressure. Pain originating in the sinuses can be “referred” to the eye area due to the shared branches of the trigeminal nerve. A sinus headache often manifests as pain behind the eyes. Additionally, inflammation from severe sinusitis can sometimes spread to adjacent orbital tissues, leading to eye discomfort, redness, or puffiness around the eyelids.
It is important to differentiate this sensation of pressure from medically measured high intraocular pressure (IOP). Intraocular pressure refers to the fluid pressure inside the eyeball. The feeling of pressure from sinus issues is primarily a result of inflammation and physical compression on surrounding structures, not an an increase in the fluid pressure within the eye itself.
Recognizing Symptoms That Warrant Medical Attention
Recognizing when sinus or eye symptoms require professional medical attention is important.
For sinus issues, persistent facial pain or pressure, thick discolored nasal discharge, fever, or fatigue warrant a doctor’s visit. Swelling or redness around the eyes, a severe headache, or forehead swelling in the context of sinusitis could indicate a more serious infection.
Eye-specific symptoms that signal a need for an ophthalmologist’s evaluation include sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, or the appearance of halos around lights. Other concerning eye symptoms include significant redness, a bulging eye, or impaired eye movements. These can be signs of serious eye conditions, such as orbital cellulitis, where a sinus infection has spread to the tissues around the eye, which can lead to vision loss if untreated.
Distinguishing Sinus-Related Eye Symptoms from Glaucoma
While blocked sinuses can cause significant eye discomfort, they are not a direct cause of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions characterized by progressive optic nerve damage, often due to elevated intraocular pressure. Unlike the perceived pressure from sinus issues, glaucoma-related high intraocular pressure typically does not cause pain or noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Routine eye exams are crucial for early detection, as vision loss from this condition is permanent.
Symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma include sudden severe eye pain, headache, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. These symptoms are distinct from the eye discomfort associated with sinusitis, which involves facial pressure, nasal congestion, and a dull ache around the eyes. If any vision changes or persistent eye concerns arise, seeking prompt evaluation by an eye care professional is advisable.