Feeling an uncomfortable pressure around your eyes when sick is a common experience. This sensation can range from a dull ache to a feeling of fullness or heaviness. It is frequently linked to the body’s response to various infections and inflammatory conditions. Understanding its origins can help clarify why it occurs during illness.
Understanding the Sensation
The sensation described as “eye pressure” during illness refers to discomfort or pain around the eyes. This feeling differs from an actual increase in intraocular pressure, which is the fluid pressure inside the eyeball, as seen in glaucoma. Instead, the pressure felt when sick usually originates from inflammation and congestion in the tissues, muscles, and cavities near the eyes.
These feelings are often a consequence of systemic reactions to an illness. When the body fights an infection, it initiates an inflammatory response affecting areas like the facial sinuses and orbital regions. Swelling and fluid accumulation in these tissues then create the sensation of pressure.
Common Illnesses and Their Impact
Common illnesses frequently cause eye pressure due to their impact on surrounding structures. During a cold or flu, systemic inflammation and nasal congestion cause tissues within the nasal passages and sinuses to swell. These sinuses, located above and around the eyes, become inflamed and filled with mucus, leading to pressure that radiates to the eye sockets. This direct pressure on the orbital bones is a primary reason for eye discomfort.
Sinus infections (sinusitis) are known for causing significant eye pressure. Inflammation and swelling of the sinus lining can trap air and mucus, intensifying pressure within these spaces. This pressure transmits to the areas around the eyes, often resulting in a deep, aching sensation.
Allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, can also trigger similar symptoms. Allergen exposure causes histamine release, leading to inflammation and swelling of nasal passages and sinuses. This allergic reaction mimics congestion from viral infections, creating pressure around the eyes. Dehydration, often accompanying fevers or reduced fluid intake, can also contribute to eye dryness and a heavy feeling.
Accompanying Symptoms to Watch For
When experiencing eye pressure due to illness, several other symptoms commonly appear. Headaches are a frequent companion, particularly sinus headaches, which cause pain and pressure across the forehead and cheeks, often extending behind the eyes. Light sensitivity (photophobia) can also develop, making bright environments uncomfortable.
Eyes might appear red or watery, indicating irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the white part of the eye. General fatigue and body aches are widespread symptoms accompanying most illnesses. A fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, or cough further confirms an underlying infection.
When to Consult a Doctor
While eye pressure when sick is often benign, certain signs warrant medical attention. Seek immediate care if you experience severe or rapidly worsening eye pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers. Any sudden changes in vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or partial vision loss, are serious red flags.
Other concerning symptoms include the bulging of one or both eyes, an inability to move the eye normally, or pain with eye movement. The presence of pus or unusual discharge from the eye could indicate a bacterial infection. If symptoms persist or significantly worsen despite self-care, or if you develop a very high fever alongside severe eye symptoms, consult a doctor.
At-Home Comfort Measures
Several at-home measures can provide relief for eye pressure when sick.
- Prioritize rest to allow your body to recover.
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like water, herbal tea, or clear broths. This helps thin mucus and prevent dehydration.
- Apply warm or cool compresses gently to the eyes or face.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for aches and localized pain.
- If congestion is a factor, use a saline nasal spray to moisten nasal passages and thin mucus.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which may ease congestion and prevent dryness.