If you’ve ever experienced a throbbing headache and eye pain, it’s natural to wonder if they’re connected. Eye pain of any kind can be extremely frustrating, and finding a solution should be a priority. What’s causing your eye pain, and what can you do about it?
Sinus infections are often overlooked, but they’re a common cause of eye pain. When inflamed, your sinuses can put additional pressure around your eyes, quickly leading to those sore, pulsing feelings. If you ever notice eye discomfort of any kind, visit your optometrist as soon as you can to discuss treatment.
What Are the Sinuses?
The sinuses are air-filled cavities that run throughout the bones of your skull. They’re a vital player in keeping your respiratory system healthy while keeping your skull lighter. Your sinuses filter bacteria and particles from the air you breathe, keeping your lungs free from harmful contaminants and allergens.
There are 4 sinuses:
- The maxillary sinuses, located in the cheekbones
- The sphenoid sinuses, located behind the eyes
- The frontal sinuses, located in the forehead above the eyes
- The ethmoid sinuses, a small group located between the eyes
Each sinus contributes heavily to your body’s ability to filter air as it enters the respiratory system.
What Is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis, commonly known as a sinus infection, occurs when the tissue lining the sinuses becomes inflamed or swollen. This inflammation can be caused by various factors such as:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Allergies
- Environmental irritants
When the sinuses are inflamed, they become blocked and fluid-filled. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive, leading to infection and sinusitis.
Remember—the primary function of the sinuses is to filter harmful contaminants from the air you breathe. When they’re blocked, the sinuses can’t properly perform this task, quickly leading to headaches and congestion.
Can Sinusitis Affect the Eyes?
Some of the sinuses—like the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses—run extremely close to the eyes. If these become infected or inflamed in any way, they begin to swell, putting pressure on the surrounding areas.
This pressure can easily spread around the eye sockets and cause significant feelings of discomfort. Due to this, sinusitis can often cause:
- Eye pain or pressure
- Redness around the eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Watery or teary eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
If you notice any of these symptoms, you may be dealing with sinusitis. It’s important to seek treatment as soon as you can. If the infection in the sinuses spreads to the eyes, it can lead to an eye infection, damage to the optic nerve, and even long-term damage to your vision.
How to Treat Sinusitis
Sinusitis often develops due to an infection, so treatment usually involves trying to reduce or remove the infection itself. This should help relieve you of your sinusitis symptoms.
Usually, you can find treatment through:
- Over-the-counter medications: Decongestants and antihistamines can help relieve symptoms.
- Prescription medications: Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections.
- Nasal irrigation: Using saline solutions to rinse the nasal passages can help clear the sinuses.
- Home remedies: Steam inhalation, warm compresses, and staying hydrated can provide relief.
If you’re unsure where to start, a visit to your general healthcare practitioner is an ideal choice. Your doctor can examine the affected area to determine if you’re dealing with sinusitis or some other condition, then devise a treatment plan to help you find relief.
However, if you’re dealing with eye-related symptoms and can’t tell if you have sinusitis or not, it’s time to see your optometrist.
Can an Optometrist Treat Sinusitis?
Your optometrist is an eye care professional. If you ever experience discomfort or eye pain, they’ll be able to assess the situation to provide you with a diagnosis for your symptoms. While sinusitis is a common cause of eye pain, it’s not the only condition that can cause this.
Eye pain can also be caused by:
- Glaucoma, a group of conditions that increase intraocular pressure to damage the optic nerve
- Migraines
- Uveitis, inflammation of the middle layer of the eye
- Cornea scratches and abrasions
- Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, where an eye infection irritates the lining of the eyes and eyelids
- Allergies
While some of these conditions are temporary, others can have severe long-lasting implications on your eye health and vision. Don’t put your eyes at risk; eye pain should always be taken seriously. If you ever notice any unusual symptoms, pain, or significant discomfort in or around the eyes, a visit to the optometrist should be your top priority.
Keep Your Vision Clear
Sinus infections are common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the symptoms that something’s wrong. If you’re dealing with any kind of eye discomfort or pain, come see our team at Total Vision La Mesa. We can find out if it’s sinusitis or any other concerning condition. Book an appointment with our team today, and let’s work together to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear!
