Differential Diagnosis for Back of Eye Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dry Eye Syndrome: This condition is a common cause of eye discomfort and pain, often described as a dull ache or burning sensation in the back of the eye. It occurs due to insufficient lubrication of the eye, leading to irritation and inflammation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sinusitis: Inflammation or infection of the sinuses can cause referred pain to the back of the eye due to the proximity of the sinuses to the orbital cavity.
- Tension Headache: Tension headaches can cause pain that radiates to the back of the eye, often described as a band or a squeezing sensation around the forehead.
- Migraine: Migraines can cause severe, throbbing pain that may be localized to one eye or spread to the back of the eye, accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.
- Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve can cause pain in the back of the eye, especially with eye movement, along with vision loss or blurred vision.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Giant Cell Arteritis: This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels and can cause severe, sudden pain in the back of the eye, along with vision loss, scalp tenderness, and jaw claudication. It is a medical emergency due to the risk of permanent vision loss.
- Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A sudden increase in intraocular pressure can cause severe pain in the back of the eye, accompanied by blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and seeing halos around lights. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Endophthalmitis: A severe infection within the eye can cause intense pain, redness, and vision loss, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment to preserve vision.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: A systemic inflammatory disease that can affect the eyes, causing uveitis and pain in the back of the eye, among other symptoms.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that can cause optic neuritis, leading to pain in the back of the eye and vision problems.
- Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by inflammation of the cavernous sinus or superior orbital fissure, causing pain in the back of the eye, along with diplopia and ptosis.