Eye pain is one of those symptoms that can feel minor…until it isn’t. Whether it’s the gritty discomfort of dry eyes after a long day of staring at a screen, the sting of a trapped eyelash, or a sudden, sharp pain, the causes of eye pain and discomfort can vary.
Some causes of eye pain are relatively harmless, while others can be more severe and lead to complications that threaten your eyesight. Understanding the difference and when to seek professional help is crucial to maintaining healthy vision.
Common and Moderate Causes of Eye Pain
Eye pain isn’t always something to panic about; there are many common causes of mild to moderate pain and discomfort in the eyes.
Dry Eyes
Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears. When you blink, tears spread across your eye, keeping the surface smooth and clear. If your eyes aren’t producing tears properly, your eyes become dry. This leads to burning, stinging, and a scratchy or gritty feeling in your eyes. It can also cause blurred vision, redness, and irritation.
Several things cause dry eyes, including:
- Certain diseases and conditions
- Specific medications
- Eye strain
- Using contact lenses for a long time
- Being in a dry, windy, or smoky climate
Dry eyes can range from mild to severe. Mild cases can be treated at home with eye drops that serve as artificial tears. More severe cases require a visit to an ophthalmologist and may require special prescription eye drops or eye plugs to prevent your tears from draining too fast. If you have severe or prolonged dry eyes, schedule an appointment with your eye care provider.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye, happens when the conjunctiva of your eye becomes inflamed. The conjunctiva is the clear tissue that covers the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids.
The most notable symptom of conjunctivitis is the classic red eyes, but there are many other symptoms as well, including:
- A gritty sensation that makes it feel like something is in your eyes
- Burning, itching, or overall pain in the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Puffy eyelids
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Sensitivity to light
Pink eye can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergies. Viral pink eye is contagious and has no treatment; you just have to wait for your body to fight the virus. Bacterial pink eye is identifiable by discharge from the eyes and elevated pain levels. It is also contagious and may need to be treated with antibiotic eye drops. Allergic pink eye is not contagious, and can be treated with allergy eye drops.
If you have viral or bacterial pink eye, wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes. Use a clean towel each time you wipe your face and eyes, and do not use eye makeup or contact lenses while infected. If possible, avoid contact with uninfected people.
Eye Strain
Eye strain happens when your eyes become fatigued after long periods of intense focus, such as looking at a screen or reading a book for too long. Using digital screens for long periods is especially likely to cause eye strain, as your eyes have to work harder to view content on screens. Eye strain caused by digital screens is also called computer vision syndrome.
Common symptoms of eye strain include red, watery, or irritated eyes, blurred vision, muscle spasms of the eye or eyelids, and mild headache. The best way to relieve eye strain is by resting your eyes.
If you frequently find yourself experiencing eye strain, consider adjusting your work environment to reduce reflections, glare, and bright lights. Make sure to give yourself a break every so often. Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. If your eye strain persists, visit your eye doctor to see if you may need glasses or, if you have glasses, need your prescription adjusted.
Contact Lens Issues
Contact lens issues can frequently cause eye discomfort. Wearing your contact lenses for too long, while you sleep, or when your eyes are dry, can all cause pain and discomfort, as can improperly caring for your lenses. Pain, redness, blurry vision, and the sensation that something is in your eye are all symptoms of issues with your contact lenses.
To prevent these issues and lessen eye discomfort, don’t wear your contact lenses for longer than they’re meant to be worn. Don’t sleep in daily wear contacts, and replace them at regular intervals. Clean your lenses properly, using an approved cleaning solution. Never use tap water to rinse contact lenses, as this can lead to dangerous infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis, a dangerous parasite that can cause blindness.
If you’re properly taking care of and using your contact lenses but are still having issues, speak to your eye care provider. You may need to try a different brand of contact lenses or adjust your prescription.
Foreign Bodies
A foreign body refers to anything that ends up in the eye that’s not supposed to be in the eye. This is usually something mild, such as an eyelash or a speck of dust. When this happens, you often feel the object and may also experience a scratching sensation, tearing, or redness.
Typically, rinsing with saline can help remove the foreign object. For eye injuries and more severe foreign bodies, you will likely need to visit your ophthalmologist.
Corneal Abrasions
When you scratch your cornea, it’s called a corneal abrasion. Your cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window covering the iris and pupil. Many things can cause corneal abrasion, including dry eyes, foreign objects in your eye, or rubbing your eyes too hard.
Your cornea is packed with nerve cells, which is why corneal abrasions hurt so badly. It may feel like an object is still stuck in your eye, and you may have red or watery eyes, blurry or hazy vision, and light sensitivity.
Mild corneal abrasions usually heal on their own in a couple of days. Larger or more severe abrasions may require prescription eye drops, special contact lenses, or other types of treatment.
Inflammation
Inflammation can cause pain in different areas of your eye. Many things can cause inflammation, including foreign objects in your eyes or bacterial or viral infections. Common types of inflammation include:
- Blepharitis: swelling of the eyelids, especially at the lid margin where the eyelashes grow
- Iritis: swelling of the iris, the colored part of the eye
- Keratitis: swelling of the cornea, the front surface of your eye
- Scleritis: swelling of the white part of the eye, which can be so painful that it wakes you at night
Depending on what’s causing the inflammation and how severe it is, you may or may not need to see a doctor. If your swelling has not subsided after a few days, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention.
Serious and Urgent Causes of Eye Pain
While many types of eye pain are manageable at home, there are also more severe causes. These causes often need to be evaluated by an eye care provider.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in which pressure builds up inside the eye and gradually damages the optic nerve. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of glaucoma you have. In acute angle-closure glaucoma, severe eye pain is common. Other common symptoms include blurred or patchy vision.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and requires care from an eye specialist. A variety of treatment options are available depending on the type and severity of the glaucoma.
Chemical Burns
Strong chemicals, especially alkaline chemicals, can cause severe damage if they get into your eyes. They may cause burning and pain in the eyes, as well as excessive tearing, redness, and blurred vision.
If you get chemicals in your eyes, rinse your eyes with cool running water for at least ten minutes. Do not rub your eyes, and if you’re wearing contact lenses, do not try to remove them before flushing out your eyes. Chemical burns to the eyes should be evaluated by a doctor.
Eye Infections
Eye infections happen when a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite enters the eye. They often cause eye pain, as well as swelling, redness, discharge, and overall discomfort.
Some eye infections, such as pink eye, are less severe, while others, including orbital cellulitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis, can cause vision loss if left untreated.
Map-Dot Fingerprint Dystrophy
Map-dot fingerprint dystrophy is a type of corneal dystrophy in which cellular abnormalities cause the layers of the cornea to no longer adhere to each other the way they’re supposed to. As a result, the outermost layer of the cornea can be sloughed off. Because there are so many nerves on the cornea, this can cause searing pain.
Map-dot fingerprint dystrophy often resolves on its own. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain, your eye care provider can offer solutions like eye drops or ointment.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Eye pain is often caused by routine, common eye problems. However, it can also be caused by more serious conditions. If you experience any of the following conditions, it’s important to meet with an eye doctor as soon as possible:
- Sudden, severe eye pain
- Loss of vision
- Pain with eye movement
- Pupil irregularities (for example, if one pupil is dilated but the other is not)
- Injury or trauma to the eyes, including chemical exposure
- Discharge from or swelling of the eyes accompanied by fever
Eye emergencies should be treated like any other medical emergency. If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
Find Solutions for Your Eye Pain
Eye pain can be caused by many different factors. Some are simple to treat at home, while others require a doctor’s care. If you’re experiencing red flag symptoms, such as severe pain and loss of vision, if you’ve had damage to the eye, or if you’re dealing with symptoms that aren’t subsiding with at-home treatments, it’s time to see the doctor.
Regular eye check-ups can also help detect problems, like glaucoma, before they start. Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center has been providing state-of-the-art eye care in Arizona for over 35 years, and we’re here to assist with all your eye care needs.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you maintain your eye health.