Discomfort or pain in the eyes, also referred to as ophthalmalgia, can be a result of a variety of reasons; ranging from dryness, a foreign object entering the eye(s), to a medical condition. Eye pain can start as a mild distraction, but it can become a debilitating condition if ignored or left untreated. In this blog, we will go over a few common reasons for eye pain, how to manage them, and why you shouldn’t ignore symptoms.
Common Eye Pain Causes
Infection
This is one of the most common eye pain reasons. An infection or inflammation is often accompanied by swollen & red eyes, watery discharge, and a constant feeling of something inside your eye. All these symptoms can lead to discomfort or pain in the eyes. Most infections generally clear out in due time, with rest. However, if your symptoms persist and worsen over time, it is best to visit your ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment according to your specific infection.
i.) Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
This is one of the most common eye infections. It refers to inflammation or infection in the transparent membrane lining your eyelid and eyeball. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, tearing, and discharge, etc.
ii.) Blepharitis
This is an infection where your eyelids get inflamed or tender. The tenderness often travels inside and around the eyes, causing pain and making the eyes sensitive to touch. This is not a serious condition, and symptoms subside in due time with rest.
Corneal abrasion
This refers to a scratch or abrasion on the outermost layer of the eye. You’d be surprised to know that even rubbing your eyes too hard or too often can lead to scratches on the cornea, which subsequently cause discomfort and pain in the eye. Apart from that, a blow to the eye or injury from sharp objects can also lead to corneal abrasions.
Foreign object
This is another very common reason for eye pain. If you have a foreign object lodged in your eye and are unable to take it out, the discomfort can eventually turn into pain. You are likely to get something stuck in your eye while wearing contact lenses, walking outside on a windy day, or gardening etc. You can even get a glass particle stuck in your eye if you accidentally break something in the kitchen. In either of these cases, if the object is not dislodged in time, you can experience severe pain.
Optic neuritis
Optic neuritis is when the optic nerve (which connects the eye to the brain) gets inflamed. Optic neuritis is a sign of an infection or an autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis (MS). This leads to tenderness in the eye, along with pain caused by eye movements (side to side). This condition can even cause temporary blindness. However, it often goes away on its own or with treatment if it’s persistent.
Read More: Optic Neuritis Explained: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Stye
You can get styes when an eyelash or oil gland gets infected or inflamed. A stye is a bump on or around the eye, which causes swelling, redness, and tenderness along the eyelid. It is very uncomfortable and painful to touch.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma, commonly known as the “silent thief of sight”, is another reason for pain in the eyes. Most people suffering from glaucoma are often not aware they have it, owing to its suppressed nature. Eye pain, however, is one of its common symptoms. So, if you’re experiencing mild-to-moderate pain in the eyes, it is advised to get a routine checkup to rule out the possibility of a serious eye condition like glaucoma.
Eye injury or trauma
Trauma or injuries to the eyes are often caused by sports, unsafe home/work environments, or on-road accidents. Additionally, expired or low-quality eye makeup is also a common factor in eye injuries. Much like the rest of the body, an injured eye, too, feels pain. Any external injuries to the eye must always be examined by a professional to rule out internal complications.
Eye pain symptoms
Eye pain itself is a symptom of an underlying eye problem. But it can be characterised by the following:
- Burning
- Itching
- Redness in/around the eyes
- Sharp stabbing sensation
- Shooting discomfort
- Throbbing sensation
Why should you never ignore your eye pain?
If your symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time or seem to be getting worse, you should visit an ophthalmologist. You can book a consultation with Sohana Hospital’s Dr. Amanpreet Kaur, Senior Cataract & Refractive Surgeon, who is one of the best eye specialists in Chandigarh.
If ignored, eye pain can lead to serious eye conditions, deformities, and even vision loss. Once the doctor runs the required tests on you, you will be advised on hot/cold compression, eye drops, antibiotics, creams, or corrective measures, depending on the severity of your eye condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Pain
1. When should I see a doctor for eye pain?
If your eye pain persists for more than 2 days, is severe, and accompanied by light sensitivity, headaches, or fever, you need to see an eye doctor. If symptoms are extreme, patients are always advised to visit an eye specialist immediately, so they can receive the correct treatment as soon as possible.
2. Can contact lenses cause eye pain?
Contact lenses alone rarely cause eye pain. However, if your lenses are unclean, wearing them can get dust particles inside your eyes, which can lead to discomfort or pain. Additionally, long hours of wear can cause dryness and, subsequently, pain. Contact lens intolerance (CLI) is another reason why wearing them could potentially cause pain.
3. Will hot compression help with eye pain?
It depends on the cause of your eye pain. If you have a stye or Blepharitis, warm compression will help lessen symptoms. If your condition requires antibiotics or drops/creams, hot compression might not be useful.
4. How to prevent eye pain?
You can prevent eye pain caused by injuries, corneal abrasions, and dryness etc. Being careful while playing sports, avoiding rubbing your eyes, adequately lubricating your eyes on a regular basis, and practising good eye hygiene will help prevent discomfort.
