What causes pain the eye and cheek with lightheadedness and visual changes?

Posted on Wed, 5 Mar 2014

Question: WHAT might cause the following symptoms - a pain that is mild behind the eye and sometimes runs down the cheek, that is accompanied by feelings of lightheadedness, visual changes, and spaciness. These symptoms always come together and occur on some days, not others. An obvious connection like stress has not been identified. The occurrences seem haphazard. HIS ISSUE APPEARED PERHAPS 5 YEARS AGO AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY A NURSE AS TRIGERMINAL NEURALGEA, THOUGH THE PAIN WAS NEVER SHARP. THE SYMPTOMS WENT AWAY AND REAPPEARED RECENTLY DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS - COMING AND GOING. USUALLY I WILL HAVE THEM PRETTY MUCH ALL DAY OR NOT AT ALL.

Answered by Dr. Raju A.T (22 hours later)

Brief Answer: Chronic or recurrent Sphenoid sinusitis Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. Sorry for the delay in my response. I am medical doctor, an associate in Department of Neurology, working with an experienced Neurologist. I answer on his behalf. Based on your symptoms I do not suspect it to be Trigeminal neuralgia. The symptoms in TGN are more sharp and superficial. Its less likely for it to be the cause in you. Your symptoms are those typically seen in chronic sphenoid sinus involvement. If there is any variation in the symptoms with change in the position of the head, that confirms the fact. If not, i would recommend imaging studies like CT scan of the brain with contrast to know the exact cause for the problem you have. Please do ask if you have any doubts. Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar