Eye pain may be described as sharp, aching or throbbing. It may happen in one eye or both Eyes. One may also describe eye pain in terms of where it hurts, like pain behind the eye.
Eye pain is more serious than the simple irritatio that one feels when you there is a piece of dirt or an eyelash in the eye. Eye pain is more than the feeling of eyestrain that one may feel after staring at a computer all day. In these instances, the eye feels better when the lash or dirt removed or when one is able to rest the eyes by closing them or using a cool compress.
The more serious type of eye pain is intense, lasts longer and can happen along with other symptoms. Sometimes eye pain can be a sign of an underlying health problem or injury. One should consult a HCP as soon as possible if there is sudden onset eye pain or eye pain that keeps getting worse.
Eye pain can refer to pain in almost any part of the eyes, including:
- Eyelid.
- Conjunctiva, a clear membrane that protects the eye.
- Sclera, the white of the eye.
- Cornea, the clear dome on the eye that allows light into the eye
- Eye socket (orbit), the cavity that holds the eye in the skull.
Many conditions and factors can cause eye pain. These can include:
- Infections: Viruses, bacteria or fungi can transfer from hands to the eyes when eyes are rubbed or when hands are placed near the eyes. Infections can also spread from areas like the nose or sinuses to the eyes.
- Contact lenses: Lenses that are dirty or that sre ill fit well can cause pain in the eyes. Wearing contact lenses longer than prescribed (overnight) or not replacing them properly can also lead to eye problems. Please wear contact lenses that were prescribed for you by your Physician.
- Allergies: Allergy to pollen, dust or animals can irritate eyes making them itchy and even painful.
- Toxins: Eyes can become irritated from exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutants, chlorine in a swimming pool or other types of hazardous chemicals.
- Inflammation: Inflammation, an immune system response, can cause swelling or even color changes in the eye. The white part of the eye can turn red and one can become very sensitive to light and the eye may get painful.
- Increased eye pressure: This can happen when the fluid in the eye does not drain properly.
Many types of eye problems can cause pain, including the following conditions.
CELLULITS
- Preseptal, which affects the eyelid skin.
- Orbital, which affects the eye socket, making proper eye movement difficult and leads to blurry and/or double vision.
STYE: is a small, painful lump that can pop up inside or outside the eyelid. It may look like a pimple at the base of the eyelashes. Styes under the eyelid may be less noticeable at first. But both can make the eyelid red, swollen, and tender to the touch. The eye might feel scratchy and sore, too. Chalazion, on the other hand, is a bump on the eyelid that grows when an oil gland gets clogged. It can sometimes start as a stye which hardens over time. Unlike a stye, it is usually painless and feels rubbery with a hard bump inside.
CONJUCTIVITIS
- Viral, the most common type causes burning, red, watery eyes and is highly contagious, particularly in schools or crowds.
- Bacterial, which causes a sore, red eye with sticky pus. It often affects only one eye.
- Allergic, which happens because of an allergic reaction to an allergen, is not contagious but does cause itchy, red, watery eyes.
CORNEAL INJURY
- ABRASION, a scrape or scratch on the cornea.
- Corneal laceration, a partial tear or a tear through the cornea.
- Corneal Ulcer, an open sore on the Cornea
- Keratitis, which is surface inflammation and irritation that can be caused from severe dryness or other infections.
DRY EYES
- Feeling like there is something in the eye.
- Being sensitive to light (photophobia).
- Watery that are sometimes also red.
GLAUCOMA
- Angle-closure glaucoma is rare but causes severe pain, nausea and blurred vision from a sudden, rapid increase in eye pressure.
- Other conditions
- Blunt trauma.
- Optic Nueritis
- Scleritis and Episcleritis
- Iritis and Uveitis
Eye pain is generally treated by determining the cause and then treating that cause. For Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment, Please schedule a Consultation with an Eye Physician (DO, OD or MD)
Author
Paddy Kalish
OD, JD and B.Arch
