Pain above the left eye can be a common concern, stemming from various underlying factors, from benign to serious. Understanding these potential causes is crucial for appropriate management. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Headache-Related Causes
Headaches are a frequent cause of pain above the left eye. Migraine, for example, often presents as a throbbing, unilateral pain, affecting one side of the head, including the area directly above an eye. This intense pain is often accompanied by increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). Nausea, vomiting, or a visual aura (like flashing lights) may also occur. Migraine attacks can last hours to days, significantly impacting daily life.
Tension headaches are another common cause, characterized by a dull ache or pressure that can affect the entire head or localize above the eye. Unlike migraines, they are usually not associated with severe light or sound sensitivity. They develop gradually, persisting for hours or days, often from muscle tension in the head and neck, triggered by stress or poor posture. The pain is constant, not throbbing.
Cluster headaches are severe, causing excruciating pain around or behind one eye, often the left. These attacks are sudden and intensely sharp, described as piercing or burning. Accompanying symptoms on the affected side include tearing, eye redness, nasal congestion, a runny nose, or a drooping eyelid/constricted pupil. They occur in cyclical patterns, with frequent attacks (sometimes several times daily) followed by remission, distinguishing them from other headache types.
Sinus and Eye-Related Causes
Beyond headaches, conditions affecting the sinuses and eyes can also lead to discomfort above the left eye. Sinusitis, inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities (especially frontal sinuses), often causes pressure and pain in this area. Pain worsens when bending forward, lying down, or with sudden head movements due to sinus pressure changes. Additional symptoms include nasal congestion, facial fullness, postnasal drip, fever, or fatigue. Nasal discharge may be thick and discolored.
Eye strain (asthenopia) results from prolonged visual tasks that overwork eye muscles. Extended digital screen use, reading in poor lighting, or uncorrected vision problems (like farsightedness or astigmatism) can induce eye fatigue, causing a dull ache or discomfort above the eye. Blurred vision, dry/irritated eyes, or a general headache may also occur, often at day’s end. Regular breaks and proper lighting can alleviate symptoms.
Optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve, is another potential cause of pain around or behind the eye, radiating to the area above it. Pain intensifies with eye movement and may be accompanied by decreased vision or loss of color perception in the affected eye. Less common than eye strain or sinusitis, optic neuritis can be associated with underlying neurological conditions and warrants thorough medical evaluation.
Other Less Common Reasons
Less frequently, pain above the left eye may stem from neurological conditions or systemic issues. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, which transmits facial sensations. It causes sudden, intense, electric shock-like pains lasting seconds to minutes, often triggered by light touch or movement, and can occur above the eye.
Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) involves inflammation of arteries, usually in the scalp and temples. This serious condition can cause a new, persistent headache above the eye, often with scalp tenderness. Other symptoms include jaw pain during chewing, fever, and vision problems, requiring immediate medical attention due to permanent vision loss risk.
Pain above the eye can sometimes be referred pain, originating elsewhere but felt in this location. Dental issues, like toothaches or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, can radiate discomfort to the forehead or above the eye. Neck or upper spine problems can also refer pain to the head, including above the eye.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
While many causes of pain above the left eye are not severe, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical evaluation. Seek urgent attention for a sudden, excruciating “worst headache of your life.” Prompt medical assessment is also required for pain accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, or limb weakness. Serious indicators include vision changes like sudden vision loss, double vision, or significantly blurred vision, alongside the pain. Pain after a head injury, or discomfort worsening despite self-care, also warrants a doctor’s visit. Additionally, if pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling, difficulty speaking, or significantly disrupts daily activities or sleep, professional medical advice is recommended for diagnosis and treatment.