Pain beneath the eye bone can be concerning. This facial area contains bones, sinuses, nerves, and soft tissues, all of which can cause discomfort. Understanding these origins helps address the symptom effectively. This article explores potential reasons for pain under the eye bone.
Common Causes of Pain Under the Eye
Issues within the paranasal sinuses are a frequent cause of pain under the eye bone. The maxillary sinuses, located directly beneath the eyes, can become inflamed or infected due to sinusitis. This inflammation increases pressure within the sinus cavities, causing a dull ache or throbbing sensation below the eye.
Allergies also contribute to symptoms resembling sinus pressure. Exposure to allergens can trigger an immune response, causing the nasal passages and sinuses to swell and produce excess mucus. This congestion can then exert pressure on surrounding structures, resulting in pain and fullness felt under the eye.
Prolonged visual tasks, such as extensive computer use or reading, can lead to eye strain and fatigue. The muscles surrounding the eye work harder to focus, and this overuse can cause a radiating ache or soreness around the orbital area, including the bone beneath the eye. Insufficient sleep can similarly exacerbate this type of discomfort.
Certain types of headaches, like tension headaches or migraines, may present with pain that extends to the region under the eye. These headaches often involve muscular tension or neurological processes that can cause referred pain in various facial areas. Problems with upper teeth, such as an abscess or deep cavity, can also lead to referred pain in the area below the eye. The nerves supplying the upper jaw are closely related to those in the mid-face, causing dental issues to sometimes mimic sinus or eye pain.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions can cause pain under the eye bone. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which transmits sensations from the face to the brain. This disorder causes sudden, severe, sharp pain episodes in the face, including the area below the eye, often triggered by light touch or movement.
Orbital cellulitis represents a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissues surrounding the eye. This condition often presents with significant swelling, redness, and considerable pain around the eye, which can extend to the bone beneath it. Vision changes, fever, and difficulty moving the eye are often accompanying symptoms.
Shingles, caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, can affect nerves in the face, leading to a condition known as herpes zoster ophthalmicus. This can result in intense pain, tingling, or burning sensations, often followed by a characteristic rash, affecting the forehead, eyelid, and area around the eye, including the bone.
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jawbone to the skull, can also cause referred pain. Dysfunction in this joint can lead to pain that radiates to the temples, ears, and occasionally to the area under the eye bone. Similarly, optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, can cause pain that worsens with eye movement and may be accompanied by blurry vision or vision loss.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency characterized by a sudden increase in pressure within the eye. This condition causes severe eye pain, often described as a throbbing ache, along with headache, blurred vision, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. The intense pressure can manifest as pain around the eye and orbit.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
It is advisable to seek medical evaluation if pain under the eye bone persists for an extended period or steadily worsens over time. Severe or debilitating pain that interferes with daily activities warrants prompt attention from a healthcare professional.
Accompanying symptoms also indicate a need for medical consultation. These include:
- Changes in vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or sudden loss of sight.
- Fever, chills, or a general feeling of illness, suggesting a potential infection.
- Significant swelling, redness, or tenderness around the eye or face, or a bulging eye.
- Pain developing after a direct injury to the eye or face.
A healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.