Right-sided headaches and eye pain can be concerning, signaling various underlying conditions. While often temporary, some causes require prompt medical attention.
Potential Causes
Many factors can contribute to right-sided headache and eye pain. These include primary headache disorders, eye-related problems, and issues with facial structures.
Migraine is a common neurological condition causing throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, including around or behind the eye. Individuals may also experience heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, nausea, or vomiting. Some experience visual disturbances, such as flashing lights or blind spots, before the headache.
Cluster headaches cause severe, abrupt bursts of pain, typically localized to one side of the head, often in or around one eye. They can occur multiple times a day in “clusters” over weeks or months. Accompanying symptoms may include a red or watery eye, a drooping eyelid, nasal congestion, or facial sweating.
Tension-type headaches, while usually causing a dull, band-like pressure across the head, can sometimes present with pain localized to one side, including behind the eye. These headaches are commonly linked to stress, fatigue, or muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. The pain is generally constant and not typically accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light.
Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus cavities, can cause pressure and pain behind the eyes, forehead, and cheekbones. If the inflammation affects the right-sided sinuses, the pain will be localized there and may worsen when bending forward. Other symptoms can include nasal congestion, discharge, and a fever.
Eye strain, often from prolonged focus on digital screens or uncorrected vision problems, can lead to headaches, including pain behind the eyes. This discomfort usually develops after extended visual tasks and often improves with rest. Symptoms might also include dry or watery eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
Dental issues, such as a toothache or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction on the right side, can refer pain to the head and eye area. This occurs due to the interconnected nerve pathways in the face and jaw.
Less common but more serious conditions can also cause right-sided headache and eye pain. Temporal arteritis, an inflammation of arteries, typically affects individuals over 50 years old and can cause a persistent, severe headache on one side of the head. It may also involve tenderness over the temple, jaw pain with chewing, and vision changes.
Glaucoma, particularly acute angle-closure glaucoma, involves a sudden and significant increase in eye pressure, leading to severe eye pain and headache. This condition can cause blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, nausea, and vomiting. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision damage.
A brain aneurysm, a weakened and bulging spot in a blood vessel, can cause a sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache, often described as the “worst headache of life.” This pain can affect one side of the head and may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, or other neurological symptoms. An unruptured aneurysm can also cause moderate, one-sided headaches.
Trigeminal neuralgia involves intense, sharp, shooting pain along the trigeminal nerve, which has branches extending to the eye, cheek, and jaw. While typically affecting the face, the pain can sometimes be felt around the eye or forehead. Triggers can include light touch, talking, or chewing.
In rare instances, a brain tumor can cause persistent or worsening headaches, sometimes localized to one side. These headaches may be accompanied by other neurological deficits, depending on the tumor’s location.