This comprehensive look at causes of eye pain can help you get to the bottom of your eye pain causes and what treatment measures to take. All humans have five common senses, and the sense of sight is one of them. Therefore, eyes are basic parts of the body because they are one of the sensory organs. Your sense of sight greatly facilitates everything that you do. That is why the eyes are also strategically located on the body – where they are able to work efficiently and effectively. They are high and on the front side of the body which makes it easy for you to see. Furthermore, the eyes are created to respond very fast for their protection. For instance, they are able to close very fast for their safety, when there is any danger. To top it all, they also produce tears when anything foreign enters them, as a means of self-maintenance and correction.  

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However, the eyes develop complications that are often accompanied by eye pain, and they are very serious. It’s hard to be at peace when your eyes are aching, teary, and itching among others. This comprehensive article has addressed most eye pain causes and symptoms.

Forms of eye painEye Pain

Perhaps you could be asking, “Why do eyes pain?” Just like any other part of the body, the eye is also prone to diseases and infections. Issues can be caused by both internal and external factors, and cause you to experience considerable eye problems. Furthermore, they also greatly hinder you from working effectively, thus compromising your work output.

Eye pain comes in different forms which may be described as:-

  • Shooting
  • Burning
  • Gritty
  • Sharp
  • Throbbing
  • Dull
  • Stabbing
  • Pressure
  • Aching

Whatever form your eye pain comes in, it totally denies you peace and instead gives you total restlessness. In fact, eye pain may even cause you to develop headaches and experience sleepless nights. When anyone tells you that, “I have eye pain,” you should advise them to see their physician immediately.

Orbital vs Ocular Eye Pain

All causes of eye pain can be categorized into two groups. They fall under orbital or ocular pain. Ocular pain comes from the outer parts of the eye’s surface, while orbital pain comes from within the eye.

Different Causes of Orbital & Ocular Eye Pain

1. Conjunctivitis

This is a common eye complication and you can easily find people who are suffering from it. It can be caused by bacteria, chemicals, allergies, and viruses that cause the conjunctiva to swell. In fact, it is the blood vessels in the conjunctiva that swell. The conjunctiva is a delicate membrane that lines the eyelid which covers the eyeball. In other words, conjunctiva is also called pinkeye out of the medical context. Specifically, pinkeye is the viral conjunctivitis which results in the inflammation of the conjunctiva and makes it turn pink in color. However, it does not cause severe pain, and you can be fortunate enough not to feel pain at all.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis are:

  • Drainage
  • Itching
  • Redness  
  • Blurred vision
  • Photophobia
  • Inflamed conjunctiva
  • White or green discharge from eyes

Causes

  • Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, parasites, amoebas
  • Dirt, smoke, shampoos, and chlorine
  • Allergies

You should visit your physician immediately when you notice these symptoms. Conjunctivitis treatment depends on its cause.

Related Article: The Importance of Eye Care

2. Corneal disorders

The cornea forms the outermost layer of the eye, and it is characterized by a dome shaped clear surface at the foremost part of the eye. Its job is to protect the eye by keeping germs and dirt at bay. It prevents debris from entering the eye to avoid getting infected. Furthermore, it also filters harmful radiation (ultraviolet rays of the sun) so that they do not damage your eye. However, if the cornea has a problem, it causes eye pain.

Most cornea complications also affect the fluid filled cavity that is between the inner part of the cornea and the iris. Moreover, the cornea also protects the eye from foreign bodies like dust, smoke, soil, organic matter, insects, etc. Some common cornea complications include:

  • Herpes simplex Keratitis – this is a viral eye infection that is caused by Herpes simplex virus.
  • Corneal ulcer – this eye infection causes the cornea to develop open sores. Other causes include injuries, nutritional deficiencies, contact lenses, and drug use. Eye ulcers cause pain, tearing, and redness of the eyes.
  • Bullous keratopathy – this eye infection is characterized by swelling. Categorically, they look like blisters that develop on the cornea, and cause you severe pain when they rupture. Moreover, they result in vision impairment and, not to mention, discomfort.
  • Peripheral ulcerative keratitis – this eye infection results in inflammation and ulcers on the cornea. It is common in people who are suffering from connective tissue illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment

  • Foreign object removal
  • Cornea transplantation
  • Antifungal or antibiotic drops
  • Oral drugs and eyedrops

3. Blepharitisreasons for eye pain

This disorder causes swelling of the eyelids. It infects the base of the eyelashes on one or both eyelids as a result of clogging of the small oil glands. Consequently, that swelling results in irritation and redness of the eyes. Blepharitis can be a result of diverse conditions and diseases. Unfortunately, it is tricky to treat because it is a chronic disease. It causes discomfort and can also distort your physical appearance. Fortunately, it is not contagious and it does not damage your eyes permanently.

Its symptoms include:

  • Sensitivity to light
  • Itchy eyelids
  • Eyelid sticking
  • Loss of eyelashes
  • Red eyes
  • More frequent blinking
  • Watery eyes
  • Red and swollen eyes
  • Skin flakes around the eyes
  • Crusted eyelashes in the morning
  • Eyelashes grow misaligned
  • Greasy eyelids
  • A stinging, gritty, and burning sensation in the eyes
  • Waking up with crusted eyelashes

You should see your physician when you experience these symptoms despite observing good personal hygiene. However, the exact cause of blepharitis is not known, but some of the predisposing factors include:-

  • Rosacea – which is a skin condition that causes facial redness
  • Bacterial infection
  • Eyelash lice or mites
  • Seborrheic dermatitis- eyebrow and scalp dandruff
  • Clogged eyelid oil glands
  • Allergies

Treatment

  • Administration of antibiotics
  • Use of ointments and steroid eye drops
  • Treating underlying diseases

4. Blocked tear duct

When your tear ducts are clogged, they cause some complications in your eyes. This prevents your eyes from draining properly, and that results in irritated and watery eyes. This condition is common in infants, and it even improve without being treated. However, the situation is different in adults and unlike infants; the blocked tear duct can be a result of a tumor, injury, or infection. However, this should not alarm you because the condition is treatable. Some of the factors that determine the kind of treatment that will be used include: the age of the victim, and the cause of the blockage.

Symptoms

  • Crusting of the eyelids
  • Blurred vision
  • Inflammation and pinkeye
  • Discharge of mucus or pus from the eye surface or eyelids
  • Excessive tearing
  • Recurrent eye infection
  • Reddening of the eyes
  • Painful swelling in the inner corners of the eye

If you experience constant tearing for a number of days alongside an underlying infection, you should visit your physician or optometrist. It could be a tumor that has developed and blocked the tear duct.

Causes

  • Congenital blockage – this condition is common among newborns. Their tear ducts are blocked right from birth or their tear ducts may not be fully developed. The opening of the nasolacrimal duct is often blocked by a thin membrane that prevents the eye from draining.
  • Age related complications – as you continue advancing in age, the tear ducts get narrower and they easily get blocked.
  • Swelling or infections – swelling of the eyes, chronic infection, and tear drainage can cause blockage of the tear ducts.
  • Tumor – a tumor in the eye or nose can squeeze the tear ducts and cause them to be blocked.
  • Injury – any injury to your face can tamper with the drainage system, and therefore hinder a smooth flow of tears in the ducts. If any foreign material like dust finds their way into the eye, they also cause clogging.
  • Cancer treatments – cancer treatment has adverse effects in various parts of the body including the eyes. A blocked tear duct is a common side effect of radiation and chemotherapy.

Prevention

You should always visit your physician when you develop eye complications so that you can be thoroughly and correctly diagnosed, as well as treated. Other precautionary measures that you should observe include:-

  • Do not rub your eyes
  • You should be very careful in handling contact lenses
  • Do not share your mascara and eyeliner, and replace them often.
  • Maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands regularly

Treatment

  • Antibiotics
  • Massage
  • Balloon catheter dilation
  • Intubation
  • Surgery
  • Tear duct probing

5. Ectropion

This condition causes your eyelid to turn outwards. Consequently, it causes your inner eyelid to become exposed, hence how it can get irritated. However, this condition is more prevalent in older adults, and usually affects the lower eyelid. It can be severe and cause the entire lower eyelid to turn out, or less severe and only a small portion of the lower eyelid turns out. It requires specialized treatment to correct it, and often surgery. However, you can use lubricants and artificial tears to relieve symptoms.

Symptoms

Ectropion causes your lower eyelid to pull away from your eye and that tampers with the normal drainage of tears in your eyes. As a result, it causes:

  • Excessive tearing and watery eyes – due to improper drainage, a lot of tears accumulate in your eyes, and cause them to overflow the eyelids.
  • Irritation – dryness or stagnant tears irritate your eyes. Moreover, they also cause redness and a burning sensation in the white parts of your eyes and eyelids.
  • Excessive dryness – this condition causes grittiness, dryness, and a sandy feeling in your eyes.
  • Light sensitivity – dryness or stagnant tears cause irritation to your cornea and that makes you more sensitive to light.

When you feel your eyes being constantly irritated and watery, and then you also see you lower eyelid sagging, you should visit your physician straight away. It can even be accompanied by sensitivity to light, poor vision, and increased reddening of your eyes.

Causes

Some of the causes of ectropion include:-

  • Facial paralysis
  • Genetic disorders
  • Muscle weakness
  • Eyelid growths
  • Previous surgeries and scars

Risk factors

Some of the factors that predispose you to developing ectropion include:-

  • Previous eye surgeries
  • Age
  • Previous injuries, cancer, and burns

Treatment

  • Surgery

6. Entropioneye pain causes and symptoms

Unlike ectropion, entropion is the opposite of the former. The eyelids turn inward and the outer skin and the eyelashes come in contact with the eyeball. That rubbing causes you absolute discomfort because the eyelashes are hard. When you have entropion, the eyelid might turn when you close your eyes, blink hard, or in the worst cases, they can be turned in throughout. Just like its counterpart, entropion only affects the lower eyelid and it is more prevalent in older adults.

Top Article: What is Eye Strain?

You can find relief by using lubricating ointments and artificial tears, but surgery is the official treatment to correct this condition fully. If entropion remains untreated, it damages the cornea because of it is exposed to harsh conditions. That result is infections and eventually loss of vision.

Symptoms

The symptoms and signs of this condition come as a result of rough friction against your eyeball by the eyelashes and the eyelid. They include the following:

  • Eye redness
  • Eyelid crusting
  • Mucus discharge
  • Sensitivity to wind and light
  • Feeling some foreign things in your eye
  • Excessive tearing
  • Irritation
  • Eye pain
  • Decreased vision

You should see your doctor immediately when you get an entropian diagnosis. Some of the serious symptoms that should alarm you include:-

  • Pain
  • Decreasing vision
  • Increased redness in your eyes
  • Sensitivity to light

The above are signs of a damaged cornea and it highly affects your vision. If entropion is left  untreated, it causes permanent damage to your eye.

Causes

Some of the predisposing factors of entropion include:-

  • Eye infection – trachoma is a well-known eye infection that leads to entropion. It causes scarring in the inner eyelid and that causes it to turn inwards.
  • Developmental complication – some infants are born with congenital entropion. It is as a result of extra folding of the skin. Consequently, the eyelashes turn inwards and come into contact with the eye.
  • Muscle weakness – as you continue advancing in years, your eye muscles start weakening, not to mention that the tendons stretch. This is the most common cause of entropion.
  • Inflammation – rubbing of the eyes due to diverse reasons can interfere with the normal movement and function of the eyelid muscles. That interference causes them to roll inwards at the edge and causes spastic entropion.
  • Penultimate surgeries and scars – if your eyelids have been scarred by injuries, chemical burns, and surgery, it can be distorted.

Common risk factors

  • Previous burns and scars
  • Trachoma infection
  • Age

Some of the serious complications of entropion are corneal injury and irritation, because they lead to permanent loss of vision.

Prevention

Entropion is not preventable, but whenever you notice any abnormal signs and symptoms in your eyes, you should seek medical advice.

Treatment

  • Surgery
  • Medical therapy
  • Antibiotics

7. Foreign bodies in the eye

If anything enters your eye, it causes a lot of discomfort, pain, and irritation, and you must remove it for you to find relief. Some of the most common foreign bodies that enter our eyes include dust, smoke, insects, water, soapy water, grass, leaves and many others. In case of such an occurrence, you should first seek aid.

When you are doing personal first aid, you should observe the following:

  • Clean your hands with soap and running water
  • Try to flush the object out gently with clean running water using an eyeglass, a normal drinking glass, or a in a shower.
  • You should remove contact lenses if you have them when flushing out the object

When you are offering first aid to someone else, you should do the following:

  • Wash  your hands with clean running water and soap
  • Sit the person in a well illuminated place
  • Examine the eye to locate the object. Then, tell the person to face upwards as you pull the lower eyelid downwards. Have them hold the upper eyelid so that the eye can open well enough for you to see inside.
  • If you notice that the object is floating on the tears, you can flush it out with warm water using a dropper. Alternatively, you can use a drinking glass or any other source of water to gently flush the object out.

Caution

When giving first aid to remove a foreign object in the eye, you should be very careful.

  • You should not rub the eye
  • Do not remove a large object that could be stuck between the eyelids
  • If the object is embedded in the eye, you shouldn’t remove it

When should you seek emergency care?

You should seek immediate medical care if you experience one or more of the following:

  • The foreign object cannot be flushed out with first aid irrigation
  • When redness, pain, or discomfort persists even after it has been removed
  • The object is embedded in the eye
  • When the vision of the person with the foreign object is affected

You should be very careful because the object could injure the eye, or hit it and cause inflammation. That makes you feel as if the object is still there even after it has been removed. Furthermore, the foreign object could be poisonous and if you delay, the eye will be damaged.

Treatment

When the condition is serious, antibiotics can be used to prevent infections.

8. Glaucomawhy do eyes pain

This refers to diverse eye conditions that harm the optic nerve of the eye. When that damage happens, your vision is affected. It occurs as a result of too much pressure inside the eye. This condition is very serious and it leads to blindness. Moreover, it does not have an age limit but it is more common in older people. Mostly it does not have any preliminary signs, and it affects the eye gradually without you knowing. The obvious signs occur at an advanced stage – when much damage has been done to the optic nerve, and that is when you start noticing changes of vision. It results in total blindness and vision cannot be recovered. However, you can take proactive measures by going for eye checkups often because if glaucoma is diagnosed early, vision loss can be prevented or slowed down.

Symptoms

Glaucoma’s symptoms and signs vary depending with the stage and the type of your condition. For instance:

Acute angle closure Glaucoma

  • Eye pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Severe headache
  • Eye redness
  • Halos around sights
  • Nausea and vomiting

If glaucoma is left untreated, it results in total blindness. Moreover, even when treated, it still causes blindness over a period of time, in either one or both eyes.

Seeking Medical Care

Whenever you experience blurred vision, severe headache, and eye pain, you should seek emergency medical care.

Causes of Glaucoma

  • Open angle glaucoma
  • Normal tension glaucoma
  • Pigmentary glaucoma

Risk factors

  • Being Hispanic
  • Being black
  • Deficiency of estrogen at an early age due to removal of ovaries
  • Intraocular pressure
  • Use of eye drops for a prolonged period
  • Eye surgery or injury
  • Age (over 60 years)
  • Myopia
  • Genetic inheritance
  • Diabetes, hypertension, cardiac diseases, and sick cell anaemia

Prevention

  • Exercising to reduce eye pressure
  • Wearing eye protection to avoid injuries
  • Taking prescribed glaucoma eyedrops
  • Regular eye check-up
  • Finding out about your family’s history about eye health

Treatment

  • Surgery
  • Eyedrops

9. Iritis

This is a swelling that affects the iris. This condition falls under uveitis and it affects the front part of the eye. However, the exact cause is not known, but it is very severe. If left untreated, this condition leads to vision impairment or glaucoma. It is advisable to seek immediate medical care when you notice any signs of iritis because of its adverse effects.

Symptoms

Iritis can affect one or both eyes, and it happens abruptly without any prior symptoms. It takes between six to eight weeks:

  • Photophobia
  • Redness in the eyes
  • Decreased vision
  • Pain and discomfort in the affected eye

There are two types of iritis: acute and chronic. Acute iritis comes suddenly within hours or days, while chronic iritis takes time to develop and it lasts for longer than six weeks.

When you experience symptoms of iritis you should seek medical care immediately. Proper and apt treatment helps you to curb its adverse effects and complications. Some of the most open signs that can help you to detect it are vision problems and eye pain. These two should trigger you to visit your ophthalmologist urgently to save your sight.  

Causes

It is not possible to tell the exact cause of iritis but it is usually related to other eye diseases, injuries, and genetic factors. Some of its common causes include:

  • Infections like herpes zoster that is also known as shingles can cause iritis. Others include toxoplasmosis, TB, syphilis, and histoplasmosis are also elated to diverse forms of iritis.
  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic arthritis in children.
  • Behcet’s disease is known to be a rare cause of iritis in the west
  • Eye injuries that come from penetrating injury, blunt force trauma, fire, and chemical burns can cause iritis.
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Genetic predisposition is also another cause of iritis and it results from alteration of genes. It interferes with the immune system and causes acute iritis.
  • Medications like Mycobutin and ARVs can also cause irtis as one of their side effects. When you stop using them iritis also stops.

Risk factors

When iritis is left untreated or if it is improperly treated, it leads to the following:-

  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Band keratopathy
  • An irregular pupil
  • Cystoid macular edema – retina swelling

Treatment

  • Use of eye drops
  • Oral medication
  • Surgery and therapies

10. Kerititis

This is cornea inflammation. It is caused by diverse infections, including viruses, parasites, bacteria, and fungi. The noninfectious type of keratitis is caused by injuries, and contact lenses.

Related: Eye Strain Causes

Symptoms

  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain
  • Photophobia
  • Teary eyes
  • Feeling something in your eye
  • Redness in the eyes
  • Irritation or pain when opening your eyes
  • Decreased vision

When you notice that you have keratitis symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately. If you delay treatment, it leads to adverse complications and vision impairment.

Causes

  • Viruses like herpes zoster and herpes simplex are known to cause keratitis.
  • Injury – when anything injures or penetrates your cornea, it can lead to a noninfectious keratitis. Unfortunately, it can also open up for pathogens to enter your eye and cause infectious keratitis.
  • Contaminated contact lens – the pathogens that cause infectious keratitis can find their way to the contact lens, and then you wear it in that contaminated state and get infected.
  • Contaminated water – the chlorine that is added to water and swimming pools can irritate your cornea and also damage corneal epithelium. The result is chemical keratitis, but it tends to be mild and only last for a short time. Bacteria that are found in hot tubs, oceans, rivers, lakes and other water sources can get into your eyes when you come into contact with that water and become infected.

Risk factors

  • Wearing contact lenses
  • Low immunity warm climate
  • Use of corticosteroids eye drops
  • Eye injury

Complications

  • Scarring and swelling of the cornea
  • Recurrent or chronic corneal viral infections
  • Blindness
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Chronic inflammation of the cornea
  • Permanent or temporary vision reduction

Prevention

If you wear contact lenses, you should take absolute care of your contacts by cleaning and disinfecting them every day. Other precautionary measures include:

  • Handling your contact lens with clean and dry hands
  • Replacing your contact lenses as per instructions
  • Not wearing contact lenses while swimming
  • Heeding to your ophthalmologist’s advice
  • Get contact lenses that fit your eyes

Preventing viral keratitis

Viral diseases are so hard to treat and viral keratitis is not an exemption. It cannot be absolutely eliminated but you can control it by doing the following:

  • If you have herpes blister or a cold sore, you should not touch anywhere near your eyes, unless you have cleaned and disinfected your hands.
  • Avoid using corticosteroid eye drops unless they have been medically prescribed by a professional physician.
  • If you wear contact lenses and have recurrent viral keratitis, you should stop wearing them.

Treatment

Kerititis treatment depends on the cause. However, some treatment methods include:-

  • Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antibiotic eye drops
  • Prescribed medicine

11. Optic neuritis

This occurs as a result of swelling that damages the optic nerve. When this nerve is damaged, it causes pain and temporary vision loss. It normally affects one eye and it relates to multiple sclerosis. However, if the vision loss was caused by single episode, the victim can recover their sight. Steroid medications are often used to catalyze vision recovery.

Symptoms

  • Visual field loss
  • Eye pain
  • Seeing flashing lights
  • Loss of vision in one eye
  • Color vision loss

When you experience these symptoms, you should go for medical care straight away.

Causes

  • Neuromyelitis optica
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Infections
  • Drugs
  • Lupus and sarcoidosis diseases

Risk factors

The risk factors that predispose you to optic neuritis include:

  • Race – in USA Whites are prone to this condition than Blacks
  • Age – it is more common in people who are between 20-40 years
  • Genetic mutations
  • Sex – women are more prone to optic neuritis than men

Complications

  • Decreased vision – optic neuritis greatly affects your vision, and it may take several months to regain normal or near normal vision.
  • Permanent damage of the optic nerve
  • The side effects of steroid treatment weakens your immunity and predisposes you to diseases.

Treatment

  • Injectable medications
  • Use of steroid medications
  • Administration of beta interferons

12. Styi have eye pain

A sty is a painful lump that appears on the eyelid and it is usually red in color. You can even mistake it for a boil or a pimple, and it is filled with pus. Predominantly it appears on the outer side of the eyelid, but sometimes it also appears on the inner side. It is not so serious, and it even disappears on its own after a few days to a week or so.

Symptoms

  • Eyelid swelling
  • A red lump that is similar to a pimple or a boil on your eyelid
  • Tearing
  • Eye pain

Likewise, it could also be a chalazion which occurs when an oil gland is clogged. It is similar to a sty but it mostly appears on the inner side of the eyelid. However, it is not painful, but the treatment of both are similar.

A sty should not alarm you because it is not harmful, and it should start to subside after 48 hours. However, if you do not realize any improvement after this time, and see the swelling and redness extending to the cheeks, you should see your physician.

Causes

Styes are caused by oil gland infection in the eyelid. Specifically, it is staphylococcus bacteria that cause most of these infections.

Risk factors

The following factors predispose you to developing sties:

  • Sleeping with your make up on
  • Touching your eyes with dirty hands
  • Suffering from rosacea
  • Using expired or old cosmetics
  • Using contaminated eye lenses
  • Blepharitis and chronic swelling along the eyelid edges

Prevention

  • Apply warm compresses
  • Wear clean and disinfected contact lenses
  • Manage blepharitis by heeding to your physician’s instructions
  • Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands
  • Avoid expired, old, and unhealthy makeups

Treatment

Styes are not serious, but if one persists, the doctor can use the following methods:

  • Antibiotic eye drops
  • Topical antibiotic cream or tablets
  • Surgery

13. Uveitis

This is an eye swelling that affects the uvea. It is a very serious condition that comes abruptly and degenerates within a short time. Its symptoms include pain, blurred vision, and redness in the eyes and it can affect one or both eyes. It is most common in people who are between 20 to 50 years, but sometimes it is also found in children. This is a serious condition and its repercussions are severe because it leads to visual impairment. However, if it is detected early and properly treated, further complications can be curbed.

Symptoms  

  • Blurred vision
  • Eye redness
  • Decreased vision
  • Photophobia
  • Eye pain
  • Dark floaters

The symptoms usually come very quickly and also deteriorate within a short time. However, in some cases, they develop gradually and affect both or one eye. Uveitis affects several parts of the eye and the specific type of uveitis depends on which part of the eye is inflamed.

You should seek medical care when you notice the symptoms of uveitis. For instance, you could be experiencing vision problems, and eye pain.

Causes

  • Infections such as herpes zoster, TB, Lyme disease, cat scratch disease, syphilis, west Nile virus, and toxoplasmosis.
  • Autoimmune disorders such as ankylosis spondylitis, and sarcoidosis
  • Eye surgery or injury
  • Inflammatory disorder ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease
  • Eye cancer like lymphoma

Treatment

  • Surgery
  • Corticosteroids
  • Drug therapies

Risk factors

People who have certain gene mutations can be at risk of developing uveitis. A research that was conducted recently showed that cigarette smoking is a predisposing factor to uveitis.

Complications

If uveitis is ignored and left to continue, it can result in:

  • Permanent visual impairment
  • Cataracts
  • Retinal detachment
  • Glaucoma
  • Damage of the optic nerve

Treatment

  • Use of Corticosteroid shots, pills, and eye drops
  • Antibiotics
  • Surgery

14. Endophthalmitis

This infection is caused by pathogens that find their way into your eyes through injuries or surgery incisions to the eye. In rare cases, pathogens can get into the bloodstream and flow all the way to the eye and cause infections. However, this latter way is not as common. Mostly this infection is caused by bacteria, but protozoa and fungi may be to blame sometimes.

Symptoms

  • Decreased vision
  • Severe pain in the eyes
  • Swelling of the eyelid
  • Redness in the eyes
  • Photophobia

When you notice these symptoms, you should go for treatment straightaway. It is so severe to an extent that sometimes even when treated it can hinder your vision or cause loss of vision. In fact, if you delay for even hours, you are at risk of irreversible visual impairment.

Treatment methods

  • Surgery
  • Antibiotics
  • Corticosteroids

Tips to Prevent Eye Pain

  • Those who wear contact lenses should be very careful because they are one of the most common causes of eye pain and infections. If you must wear contact lenses, you should clean and disinfect them thoroughly. Furthermore, you should replace them according to product instructions. Exercise caution when applying, removing, and washing your contacts. To top it all, you should store and handle them hygienically to prevent them from being contaminated.
  • Those who play games that expose their eyes to injuries like baseball, cricket, hockey, and racquetball should wear face masks.
  • You should wear protective gear when working with power tools like grinders, welding machines, saws, etc., because they produce sparks, dust, and fragments that can injure your eyes.
  • You should also protect your eyes when working with chemicals such as when fumigating or using any kind of chemicals.
  • Wear protective goggles when you are swimming.

Simple Eye Treatment Remedies

Sometimes your eye can be hit or develop a complication for unknown reasons. If you are not near the hospital, there are some simple remedies that you can try to alleviate eye pain before you visit the doctor. They include:-

  • Cold compresses relieve swelling and pain to a painful eye. You can apply an ice pack or a cold piece of cloth mostly if the pain is caused by allergy.
  • Cold artificial tears are great for dry eyes and they relieve eye pain better than pain killers or eye drops. You can buy them from your local chemist.
  • A warm compress can help relieve pain when you have sties and sinus pain.
  • An eye patch helps to keep your eyelids shut. For instance, if you have a foreign body in your eye, you should minimize blinking to prevent the object from injuring your eye due to the movement of the eyelid.

Conclusion

These are some of the common causes of eye pain and almost all of them have very serious repercussions. Therefore, you should never take chances with your sight. Whenever you experience any abnormalities in your eyes, seek immediate medical care to be on the safe side. A physician or ophthalmologist can examine and diagnose your eyes, and then treat you accordingly.

Dr. Barry

Dr. Barry

November 6, 2018