Throbbing eye or peri‑orbital pain often suggests vascular or inflammatory processes. It may be linked with headache disorders or serious eye disease.
Common Associations
Migraine and cluster headaches frequently cause throbbing pain around one eye, sometimes with redness, tearing, or nasal congestion. Acute angle-closure glaucoma, severe uveitis, and scleritis can also produce pulsating discomfort with visual changes.
- Cluster headache pain is typically intense, unilateral, and episodic
- Migraine may include aura, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound
- Glaucomatous throbbing is usually accompanied by blurred vision and haloes
- Temporal arteritis in older adults can cause temple throbbing with eye symptoms
Importance of Diagnosis
Because causes range from benign to sight- or life‑threatening, throbbing eye pain warrants careful evaluation. Both ophthalmic and neurological assessments may be needed.
- Immediate review is essential if pain coexists with sudden vision loss
- Blood tests and imaging may be required for vascular or inflammatory disease
- Effective treatment often reduces both pain and risk of complications
- Patients should track triggers and frequency to guide headache management
