What are the causes of mild increased intraocular pressure, frontal sinus pressure, headaches, and blurred vision?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 8, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Mild Increased Eye Pressure, Frontal Sinus Pressure, Headaches, and Blurriness of Vision

  • Single Most Likely Diagnosis
    • Glaucoma: This condition is characterized by increased eye pressure, which can lead to headaches, blurriness of vision, and if left untreated, permanent vision loss. The symptoms provided align closely with glaucoma, especially the increased eye pressure and vision disturbances.
  • Other Likely Diagnoses
    • Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause frontal sinus pressure and headaches. If the sinuses are pressing against the eyes or affecting the optic nerves, it could also lead to blurriness of vision and increased eye pressure.
    • Migraines: Migraines can cause severe headaches, sensitivity to light, and sometimes visual disturbances, including blurriness. Increased eye pressure might not be a direct symptom but could be related to the overall vascular changes during a migraine.
    • Dry Eye Syndrome: While primarily causing discomfort and blurred vision, severe cases of dry eye can lead to increased eye pressure due to inflammation and could potentially contribute to headaches.
  • Do Not Miss Diagnoses
    • Brain Tumor: Although rare, a brain tumor pressing on the optic nerve or affecting the sinuses could cause all the mentioned symptoms. It's crucial to rule out this potentially life-threatening condition.
    • Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH): Characterized by increased pressure within the skull without any apparent cause, IIH can lead to headaches, vision problems (including blurriness and double vision), and increased eye pressure due to the pressure on the optic nerves.
    • Temporal Arteritis: An inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, which can cause headaches, visual disturbances, and increased eye pressure. It's a medical emergency if it involves the optic nerve.
  • Rare Diagnoses
    • Thyroid Ophthalmopathy: Associated with Graves' disease, this condition can cause bulging of the eyes, leading to increased eye pressure, blurriness of vision, and sometimes headaches due to the orbital inflammation.
    • Orbital Cellulitis: A severe infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, which can cause increased eye pressure, severe headaches, and vision disturbances. It's a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment.
    • Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot forms in the cavernous sinus, leading to increased eye pressure, headaches, and vision problems.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.