Eye Pain
Eye pain, also called ophthalmalgia, is any discomfort or soreness in or around the eyes. This pain can affect one or both eyes and can feel sharp, throbbing, aching, burning, or gritty. Many things can cause eye pain, from simple dry eyes or tiredness to more serious problems like infections or injuries.
Some people feel pain on the surface of their eye, while others notice a deeper ache behind their eye. Other common symptoms include redness, blurry vision, itchiness, or watery eyes. Because eye pain can result from a variety of issues, it’s important to pay attention to changes and know when to seek help.
Understanding Eye Pain
Many things can cause eye pain, from simple irritation to more serious problems. The pain often affects certain areas and structures in the eye, and it can come with other symptoms like redness or vision changes.
Types and Descriptions of Eye Pain
Ocular pain happens on the surface or front part of the eye. This may feel like burning, itching, or a gritty sensation. Dryness, infections, or something in the eye can cause this type of pain. Orbital pain happens deeper in the eye socket. It can feel like pressure or aching behind the eye. Sinus infections, injuries, or nerve problems can lead to orbital pain.
Sometimes, people feel pain behind the eye. This is often linked to headaches or certain conditions like optic neuritis. Eye pain may feel sharp and sudden or dull and steady, depending on the cause.
Anatomy Involved in Eye Pain
- Cornea: This clear, dome-shaped surface covers the front of the eye and protects it. When the cornea is injured or infected, people often feel sharp pain and sensitivity to light.
- Conjunctiva: This thin tissue lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye. Infection or irritation here can cause itching, discomfort, and redness.
- Sclera: The tough white outer layer of the eye. When the sclera is inflamed, people feel deep, constant pain.
- Uvea: This layer has the iris and other parts. When the uvea is inflamed, people may feel aching pain, redness, and sometimes blurred vision.
Common Symptoms Associated With Eye Pain
Redness is a frequent sign, especially if the conjunctiva is irritated or infected. Many people notice blurred vision when eye pain is more severe, which may signal a deeper issue. Other common symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to light
- Tearing or watery eyes
- Swelling around the eye
- A gritty or foreign body sensation
Noticing when symptoms change or get worse, especially if new vision problems appear, helps guide decisions about when to seek help.
Eye Pain vs Eye Strain
Eye pain and eye strain are related but not the same. Eye pain is a general term. It can happen on, in, behind, or around the eye. Sometimes, it can feel sharp or dull. Eye strain happens after using the eyes for a long time. Reading, using a computer, or staring at a bright light can cause it. Eye strain usually feels like tired, burning, or itchy eyes. The table below compares the key features:
| Feature | Eye Pain | Eye Strain |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Many (injury, infection, allergies) | Overuse, focusing for long periods |
| Sensation | Sharp, aching, throbbing | Tired, sore, burning |
| Area | In, around, or behind eye | Covers whole eye; sometimes both |
| Other Symptoms | Redness, discharge, blurry vision | Headache, neck pain, dry eyes |
Eye strain often comes with headaches and sometimes neck or back pain. Eye pain may have redness, discharge, or even vision changes.
Eye Injuries
Eye injuries can include bruises, cuts, scratches, burns, and punctures. Accidents, sports, or chemicals in the eye often cause them. Even something small, like an eyelash or a piece of dust, can cause pain or damage. Some common causes of eye injuries are:
- Flying debris (like dust or wood chips)
- Chemicals or cleaning sprays
- Physical hits, such as a ball or fist
- Sharp objects, like pencils or metal
Minor injuries might cause redness, watering, or mild pain. More serious injuries can lead to blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight. Any injury that changes vision or causes severe pain should be checked by a doctor.
Warning Signs of a Serious Eye Injury
| Sign | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Blurred vision | Seeing less clearly than normal. |
| Pain | Sharp or throbbing discomfort. |
| Bloodshot eye | Redness in the white of the eye. |
| Bleeding | Blood coming from the eye or eyelid. |
| Loss of sight | Trouble seeing or parts of vision missing. |
If chemicals get in the eye, rinse with clean water right away. For punctures or cuts, avoid touching or rubbing the eye and get help fast. Pressing on an injured eye can make it worse.
Symptoms and Warning Signs
Eye pain often happens with other problems that affect how the eyes look, feel, or work. Knowing the key symptoms can help people seek care before serious issues develop.
Vision Changes
Vision changes can warn of a serious problem when they happen with eye pain. Blurred vision, double vision, or sudden vision loss may point to something serious. Some people notice halos around lights, which can be a sign of conditions like glaucoma that need quick treatment.
If someone notices their vision getting worse or has trouble focusing, they should pay attention to these changes. Loss of side vision and seeing “ghost images” or flashing lights are also important symptoms. Any new vision problems that happen along with pain should be checked by a healthcare provider right away.
Redness and Irritation
Redness often means something is wrong with the eye. It usually shows the eye is irritated, inflamed, or infected. Swollen eyelids, watery eyes, and swelling around the eye can happen too. Sometimes, the area around the eye feels warm or looks puffy.
Eye discomfort or a gritty feeling can go with redness. People may notice tearing that won’t stop or a burning and itching feeling. Redness can happen after eye strain, but if it’s bright or deep red, lasts more than a day, or comes with discharge, it is important not to ignore it.
Other Associated Symptoms
Other symptoms can come with eye pain. Eye discharge often happens with infection or an allergy. The discharge can be clear, yellow, or green and sometimes makes the eyelids stick together, especially in the morning. Some people feel pain behind the eye, which can be sharp or aching. This kind of pain can signal sinus problems, cluster headaches, or deeper eye issues.
Tearing, light sensitivity, fever, and feeling sick (nausea or vomiting) can also show that something more serious is causing the pain. Severe pain, inability to move the eye, or bulging of the eye should be treated as emergencies and checked by a doctor right away.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if eye pain is severe, sudden, or does not get better with simple at-home care. Eye pain can sometimes signal a more serious problem. Get medical help right away if any of these happen:
- Sudden loss of vision
- Severe pain
- Eye injury or trauma
- Exposure to chemicals
- Signs of infection like pus, swelling, or fever
- Light sensitivity that starts suddenly
- Headache, nausea, or vomiting that comes with eye pain
Some eye problems, like acute angle-closure glaucoma, can cause quick vision loss and need fast treatment. Waiting too long can lead to permanent damage. If mild eye pain lasts for several days or keeps coming back, you should still see a doctor. Watch for other symptoms like redness, changes in vision, or if both eyes are affected.
