Last updated: October 2026
A headache behind the eyes is most often a tension headache, eye strain from screens or uncorrected vision, a migraine or sinusitis. Rest, fluids, regular meals, screen breaks and pharmacy painkillers usually help, and a sight test can find a hidden cause. A sudden, severe headache, vision loss or a painful red eye needs 999 or A&E.
Below: the 9 common causes, a table to help you tell them apart, why it can be behind one eye, what helps today, how long it should last and the red flags to know.
Need help now? Call 999 or go to A&E if a headache came on suddenly and is extremely painful, or comes with loss of vision, a red and very painful eye with blurred vision or rainbow circles around lights, weakness or numbness, confusion or drowsiness, difficulty speaking, a fit, a high temperature with a stiff neck, or follows a head injury. See all the red flags.
What causes a headache behind the eyes?
The NHS says most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of something more serious. Because the eyes sit between the forehead, the sinuses and the temples, many everyday headaches are felt there. The most common causes are:
- Tension headache: very common. A pressing or tight band of pain, often across the forehead and behind both eyes. Read our full guide to tension headaches.
- Eye strain from screens and close work.
- Needing glasses or an out-of-date prescription. The NHS lists eyesight problems as a common cause of headaches.
- Migraine: throbbing, often one-sided, with nausea.
- Sinusitis, usually after a cold.
- Cluster headache: rare but very severe, always on one side, around the eye.
- Dehydration and skipped meals.
- Caffeine withdrawal, such as a weekend with less coffee.
- Poor sleep.
The NHS also lists stress, alcohol, bad posture, hormones and taking too many painkillers. A tight neck can add to it: see stiff neck.
How to tell the types apart
Where the pain sits and what comes with it are the best clues. This table is based on the NHS pages for each condition and NICE’s headache guideline (CG150). It is a guide, not a diagnosis.
| Type | Where and how it feels | Triggers and clues | What helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tension headache | Both sides; pressing or tightening, like a band; mild to moderate | Stress, poor sleep, caffeine; you can carry on with your day | Rest, relaxing, fluids, pharmacy painkillers |
| Eye strain | Tired, dry or sore eyes and a dull ache after screen or close work | Long screen sessions, few breaks, a screen too close | 20-20-20 breaks, screen set-up, a sight test |
| Needing glasses | Ache around the eyes or forehead after reading, driving or screens; blurry or strained vision | Prescription out of date, or none at all | A sight test with an optician |
| Migraine | Throbbing, often one side, moderate to severe; 4 hours to 3 days | Feeling sick, light and noise hurt, worse when you move; sometimes zigzag lines first (aura) | Painkillers early, a dark room; GP for triptans or prevention |
| Sinusitis | Pain, swelling and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead | After a cold; blocked nose, green or yellow mucus, reduced smell | Rest, fluids, salt water nose rinse; a pharmacist |
| Cluster headache | Severe, sharp or burning pain around one eye; 15 minutes to 3 hours | Red, watering eye and blocked nose on the same side; restless; same time of day | See a GP: usual painkillers don’t work |
| Dehydration | Dull ache, often worse when you move or bend | Thirst, dark yellow pee, light-headed | Drink water steadily |
| Caffeine withdrawal | Headache, often with tiredness, drowsiness and poor focus | 12 to 24 hours after your usual coffee or tea | Cut down slowly rather than stopping |
| Poor sleep | Often a tension-type ache | Short or broken nights | Regular sleep times; don’t oversleep |
| Medication overuse headache | Near-daily headache that started or worsened with frequent painkillers | Painkillers on 10 to 15 or more days a month | See a GP about cutting down |
| Acute glaucoma (rare, emergency) | Intense eye pain, red eye, blurred vision | Rainbow circles around lights, feeling sick | Call 999 or go to A&E |
For a headache that is there when you wake, see waking up with a headache. If you clench your jaw at night, teeth grinding can be part of the picture.
Headache behind one eye (right or left)
Pain behind just the right or left eye is usually not serious. The side itself means little: the type of pain and what comes with it matter more.
- Migraine is the most common one-sided cause. The NHS describes a throbbing headache, often on one side, with feeling sick and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people ask about magnesium; our magnesium and migraine evidence review covers what the trials found. CBD isn’t a treatment for headaches; our review of CBD and migraine research explains what has and hasn’t been shown.
- Cluster headache is always one-sided, around or above the eye. NICE describes a red or watery eye, blocked or runny nose, a swollen or drooping eyelid and a small pupil on the same side, with restlessness. The NHS says it is more common in men in their 30s and 40s. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen don’t work; NICE recommends oxygen or a triptan from a specialist, so see a GP.
- Sinusitis on one side can happen. The NHS says a GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if symptoms are only on one side of your face or keep coming back.
A painful red eye with blurred vision is different: it can be acute glaucoma, an emergency.
Screens, eye strain and needing glasses
Digital eye strain is very common. A 2024 meta-analysis of 103 studies with 66,577 people put its prevalence at 69%, though results ranged widely between studies. An Aston University review describes two groups of symptoms: focusing strain and dry eye.
The good news from the College of Optometrists is that there is no evidence screen use harms or damages the eyes. Its advice to avoid eye strain:
- The 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for 20 seconds.
- Blink regularly.
- Keep the screen 40 to 75cm from your eyes and just below eye level.
- Make text bigger if you need to.
- Avoid screens when you’re very tired.
- Have regular sight tests and wear glasses if you have been prescribed them.
Does the 20-20-20 rule work? In a small 2023 study, 29 computer users with symptoms got on-screen reminders for 2 weeks. Their eye strain and dry eye symptoms eased, but the benefit faded within a week of the reminders stopping. So it works as a habit, not a one-off fix.
The review found mixed results for blue light lenses: see do blue light glasses work? If your eyelid flickers after screen days, see eye twitching.
When to book a sight test
The NHS says everyone should have an eye test at least every 2 years. Book one sooner if your headaches come after reading, driving or screen work, or your vision seems blurred. The optometrist also checks eye health: the NHS says glaucoma is usually found at a routine test, before symptoms.
Sight tests are free on the NHS if you are under 16, 16 to 18 and in full-time education, 60 or over, have diabetes or glaucoma, or are 40 or over with a parent, brother, sister or child with glaucoma, among other groups. Some benefits also qualify you.
How to get rid of a headache behind your eyes
The NHS self-care advice for headaches, plus a few eye-specific steps:
- Drink water. In one small early survey of people who got headaches when they went without fluids, most felt better within 30 minutes of drinking, and the rest within 1 to 3 hours. See how much water should I drink?
- Rest your eyes. Step away from the screen, look into the distance and blink.
- Don’t skip meals, even if you don’t feel like eating.
- Try to relax. The NHS says stress can make headaches worse. See stress symptoms.
- Use heat or a cold pack and a low, firm pillow if your neck is tight too.
- Don’t drink alcohol, and don’t sleep more than you usually would, which the NHS says can make a headache worse. If last night is to blame, see hangover cures.
- Watch the caffeine. The NHS suggests cutting down on tea, coffee and cola for tension headaches. But stopping suddenly can trigger a headache: a review of withdrawal studies found headache in about half of people in experimental studies, usually starting 12 to 24 hours after their last dose. Taper slowly: see caffeine withdrawal and how long caffeine lasts.
- Protect your sleep. The NHS links sleep problems to tension headaches, so aim for regular bed and wake times. See sleep debt.
- For sinus pain, the NHS suggests rest, fluids, painkillers and a salt water nose rinse; a pharmacist can help. See cold or flu?
- For migraine, lie down in a dark, quiet room, and take painkillers as soon as it starts.
Painkillers: use them, but not too often
The NHS says paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin can ease a tension headache. Paracetamol is the first choice if you’re pregnant, and children under 16 should not take aspirin. A pharmacist can help you choose the right one, especially if you take other medicines. Always follow the dose on the pack.
The catch is that taking painkillers too often can cause headaches of its own. This is called medication overuse headache. NICE says to suspect it when a headache started or got worse while someone was taking, for 3 months or more:
- paracetamol, aspirin or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen on 15 or more days a month, or
- triptans, opioids or combination painkillers on 10 or more days a month.
For migraine, the NHS advises trying not to take painkillers on more than 2 days a week. A Danish review estimates medication overuse headache affects around 1 to 2% of people. It usually improves once the overused medicine is stopped, but do that with your GP’s help.
Headache behind the eyes for days
The NHS says headaches can last 30 minutes, several hours or sometimes several days. Typical patterns:
- Tension headache: at least 30 minutes, sometimes several days.
- Migraine: usually 4 hours to 3 days. Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if an attack lasts longer than 72 hours.
- Caffeine withdrawal: the review found symptoms peak at 20 to 51 hours and last 2 to 9 days.
- Sinusitis: usually clears within 4 weeks. See a GP if you’re not better after 3 weeks of treating it yourself.
See a GP if a headache isn’t getting better with self-care, is getting worse, or you get headaches regularly. NICE suggests a headache diary for at least 8 weeks: how often, how long, how bad, other symptoms and every medicine taken.
Red flags: when to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have a headache and:
- it started suddenly and is extremely painful
- you lose your vision, or have blurred or double vision
- your eye is red and very painful, with blurred vision, rainbow circles around lights or being sick (possible acute glaucoma)
- you have weakness or numbness in your face, arm or leg, or difficulty speaking, balancing, walking or remembering things
- you feel drowsy or confused, or have had a fit
- you have a very high temperature, a stiff neck, bright lights hurt, or a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
- you have had a head injury in the last 3 months
- one eyelid is drooping or one pupil is smaller than the other for the first time
Don’t drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to take you or call 999.
Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:
- you have a headache with vision or eye problems
- you have a severe headache with jaw pain when eating or a sore scalp (possible temporal arteritis)
- your headache is triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing, bending down or exercise
- you have a headache and are being sick
- you’re pregnant or have recently given birth and have a severe headache that doesn’t go away with simple painkillers, or vision problems such as blurring or flashing lights (possible pre-eclampsia). Call your maternity unit.
See a GP if:
- you get headaches several times a week, or they’re severe
- painkillers and relaxing don’t help
- you have a throbbing pain at the front or one side of your head, feel sick and find light or noise painful
- you think you might have cluster headaches
For ongoing vision worries without these red flags, an optician is a good first stop.
Where Evopure fits (honestly)
No supplement is a treatment for headaches or eye problems, and none of our products are. The steps above, a sight test and your GP come first.
Where we can help is the evening routine. If late coffee or short nights are part of your picture, our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a caffeine-free berry drink with magnesium bisglycinate and citrate, glycine and L-theanine. Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal functioning of the nervous system.
Our products are for adults (18+) only. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you take prescribed medicines, check with your pharmacist before adding a supplement.
If your jaw also aches or clicks, read what causes jaw pain, including when headaches with jaw pain need an urgent GP visit.
Gritty, tired eyes after screen work? Read dry eyes: causes and what helps.
FAQs
Why do I have a headache behind my eyes?
The most common causes are a tension headache, eye strain from screens, needing glasses, migraine and sinusitis. Dehydration, skipped meals, caffeine withdrawal and poor sleep can also trigger it.
Why is the pain only behind my right or left eye?
One-sided pain is most often a migraine. A severe, burning pain around one eye with a red, watering eye on the same side may be a cluster headache, so see a GP. A painful red eye with blurred vision needs A&E.
Can screens cause a headache behind the eyes?
Yes. Long screen sessions can cause digital eye strain, which often comes with headaches. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, keep the screen 40 to 75cm away and have regular sight tests. There is no evidence screens damage the eyes.
Can needing glasses cause headaches behind the eyes?
Yes. The NHS lists eyesight problems as a common cause of headaches. If headaches follow reading, driving or screen work, book a sight test. The NHS advises an eye test at least every 2 years.
How long should a headache behind the eyes last?
Most last from 30 minutes to a few hours, and tension headaches can last several days. A migraine attack lasting more than 72 hours needs an urgent GP appointment or a call to 111.
When is a headache behind the eyes serious?
Call 999 or go to A&E if it is sudden and extremely painful, or comes with vision loss, a painful red eye, weakness, confusion, a fit, fever with a stiff neck, or follows a head injury.
Sources
- NHS. Headaches.
- NHS. Tension headaches.
- NHS. Migraine.
- NHS. Cluster headaches.
- NHS. Sinusitis (sinus infection).
- NHS. Glaucoma.
- NHS. Dehydration.
- NHS. Pre-eclampsia.
- NHS. Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers.
- NICE. Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (CG150).
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Headache: medication overuse.
- College of Optometrists. Does ‘Dark Mode’ prevent eye strain? 2019.
- Ccami-Bernal F, et al. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Optom. 2024. PMID 37866176.
- Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018. PMID 29963645.
- Talens-Estarelles C, et al. The effects of breaks on digital eye strain, dry eye and binocular vision: testing the 20-20-20 rule. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023. PMID 35963776.
- Westergaard ML, et al. Medication-overuse headache: a perspective review. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2016. PMID 27493718.
- Blau JN, et al. Water-deprivation headache: a new headache with two variants. Headache. 2004. PMID 14979888.
- Juliano LM, Griffiths RR. A critical review of caffeine withdrawal. Psychopharmacology. 2004. PMID 15448977.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Evopure makes the Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex.
