Eye Pain

Eye pain — that stabbing, pulsating, burning, gritty, sharp, hurting, “something in my eye” sensation — can be extremely unpleasant. Many individuals look for medical care when they have eye pain, and for excellent factor.

Eye pain can take two forms: ocular pain or orbital pain. The meaning of the word pain is typically open for analysis.

Some people explain it as in their eyes, around their eyes, behind their eyes, etc. Some people have eye pain with movement, while others experience eye pain when blinking.

Eye pain that occurs on the surface area may be a scratching, burning, or itching sensation. Surface pain is normally caused by inflammation from a foreign item, infection, or injury. Often, this kind of eye pain is quickly treated with eye drops or rest.

What Are Common Eye Pain Symptoms?

Depending upon the reason for the eye pain, extra symptoms may consist of:

• Eye discharge
• Red, bloodshot eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Headache or migraine
• Burning feeling
• Feeling of foreign body in eye
• Vision modifications (must be considered a medical emergency).
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light).

Why Do I Feel Pain In My Eyes?

As pointed out above, there are two categories of eye pain, ocular and orbital. Many causes ought to be treated by an eye care provider.

Ocular pain comes from the external structure of the eye and can be caused by any of the list below conditions:

• Pink Eye: This is the most typical eye problem, and it can be triggered by allergies, a bacterial or viral infection, or a chemical burn. Pain is normally moderate and the eye appears pink or red.
• Stye or hordeolum: An infection of the eyelid glands can cause eye pain along the eyelid. A swelling kinds within the eyelid (usually due to a clogged tear gland), and becomes painful to the touch.
• Blepharitis: Debris along the eyelashes can end up being irritating and cause a gritty experience, along with inflammation along the eyelids. Depending on the seriousness, the irritation can end up being painful.
• Corneal Abrasions/Ulcers: These two conditions are typical causes of eye pain and are usually connected with contact lenses. Abrasions take place when the cornea is scratched, and ulcers take place from infections. Typically this will cause severe pain and a continuous feeling that something remains in the eye.
• Chemical Burn: This can be extremely painful, and is caused by direct exposure to chemicals such as acid or family cleaners. Alkaline substances can also cause chemical burns in the eye. Alkaline chemical burns are typically not painful however can be devastating to eye health if not treated right away.

Orbital pain is typically caused by a disease of the eye, and can be described as a deep, dull ache behind or within the eye itself. A few of the diseases or conditions that can cause orbital pain are:

• Glaucoma: Glaucoma in basic is mostly painless, however if the pressure develops very quickly, orbital pain happens and the condition can become an emergency. This pain may be accompanied by vomiting or queasiness.
• Migraines: A very common form of eye pain that is connected with headaches.
  Optic Neuritis: This normally manifests as pain on eye movement. The condition is defined by the inflammation of the optic nerve. Viral or bacterial infections can be the cause of this condition. Immediate attention is essential.
• Iritis: The iris is the colored part of the eye, and when it ends up being swollen it can cause deep pain and light level of sensitivity.
• Trauma: Trauma can be caused by a variety of things. Examples of injury include a blow to the eye scratches, chemical burns, and mishaps.

Diagnosing Eye Pain — When Should I See My Eye Doctor?

If you are not sure what is triggering the eye pain, you should look for medical attention from your eye care provider. She or he will ask you about the severity of your pain and when it began. You will likewise be offered a thorough eye evaluation to eliminate certain conditions and diseases.

Your optometrist will inspect your vision, the pressure in your eyes, and your eye muscle motion. She or he will also analyze your eyes with a microscopic lense.

If the problem is not on the surface area of the eye you will most likely be dilated so your doctor can analyze the back of your eyes (the retina). As soon as a correct diagnosis is made an appropriate treatment strategy can be created.

If you begin experiencing the following symptoms, look for medical attention immediately:

• Eye is too painful to touch
• Pain or redness is severe
• Sudden vision changes
• Abdominal pain or nausea/vomiting accompanies eye pain
• Photophobia (light level of sensitivity)

Similarly, seek medical attention immediately if any of the following events happen:

• Foreign object in eye
• Scratch on the eye
• Chemicals splash into eye

As mentioned prior to eye pain is a relatively loose term, and it is necessary to separate among different types of eye pain. Some individuals confuse eye pain for headaches or straining. For instance the eyes can become worn out after a long day at work, or after a number of hours of reading or looking at the computer.

This could suggest that your eyes are straining and a new glasses prescription is necessary. If you are genuinely experiencing eye pain, it can be a sign of an underlying condition such as optic neuritis, glaucoma, corneal abrasions, or ulcers.

In any case, eye pain is typically reason to be examined by an eye care expert.

How Can I Find Relief For My Painful Eyes?

If you are experiencing eye pain you ought to seek medical attention. If you feel that something might be stuck in your eye, you can flush the eye with sterilized saline service. Try to prevent touching or rubbing your eyes, as this can increase irritation or cause further complications and/or damage.

If the pain is moderate, you can attempt taking non-prescription painkiller such as ibuprofen. All other treatments ought to be performed by a doctor, who can figure out the reason for eye pain. Treatments will vary depending upon the diagnosis and severity of the problem.

Speaking to Your Eye Doctor

If you have eye pain, call your optometrist. Use the following questions to help you get started:

• Which diagnostic tests will be used to diagnose my eye pain?
• What is the factor for my eye pain?
• Which over the counter products will reduce my eye pain?
• Based upon the reason for my eye pain, what treatment choices do I have?
• Which extra symptoms should I watch for?
• For how long will it be prior to I have relief?