Symptom 2: Swelling or Drooping of the Eye: A Key Indicator of Cluster Headaches
With cluster headaches, the agony doesn’t restrict itself to intense head pain. An afflicted eye often joins the misery party. This may manifest as a noticeable droop or swelling of the eyelid on the side experiencing the headache. You might not even recognize it at first, dismissing it as morning puffiness or the result of a poor night’s sleep.
But it’s the accompanying pain that becomes the telltale sign. The excruciating, one-sided headache coupled with this ocular swelling, is a potent indicator of a cluster headache. What’s more, this eye swelling or drooping isn’t a result of rubbing or straining the eye due to the pain – it’s a direct symptom of the condition.
It’s not uncommon for sufferers to report feeling a weight on the afflicted eye, as though it were being pushed down. In fact, this sensation can be so pronounced that it limits the eye’s mobility. Some people might find it hard to open their eye wide, which further complicates matters.
The cause of the swelling is directly related to the activation of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex. This pathway, when triggered, can cause a variety of reactions, including increased blood flow and tissue swelling, particularly around the eyes and facial region. So, while the swelling may seem like an unusual symptom of a headache, it’s an integral part of the complex web of signals that define cluster headaches. (2)
