What Eye Pain Can Mean | Pain Awareness Month

Occasional eye pain is common.  Usually, eye pain is not anything serious. In most cases, eye pain goes away without any treatment, but in other instances, eye pain can be an indicator of a serious eye problem. How can you tell the difference between eye pain that is serious and pain that is minor? Keep reading to find out. 

Types of eye pain

Eye pain either occurs within the eye itself or on the surface of the eye.  Pain that develops within the eye may be stabbing, throbbing, or aching. Pain that occurs on the surface of the eye tends to be a burning or a scratching sensation.

The quality or type of pain helps your eye doctor determine the cause. Although eye pain is often mild, it can be more severe depending on the cause. 
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What conditions may cause eye pain

Many things can lead to eye pain, including the following:

Foreign body: Any time a foreign body enters the eye, it can lead to eye pain. Even something as small as a grain of sand or an eyelash can cause irritation and pain.

Infections: Various types of infections, such as bacterial and viral, can lead to eye pain. One of the most common infections is conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of the white part of the eye. It causes redness, increased tear production, and discomfort.

Trauma: Various types of trauma to the eye can lead to pain. For example, a blow to the eye can damage the surrounding tissue, bone, or the eye itself.

Eye diseases: Certain types of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, can cause pain in the eye.
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What to do if you develop pain

If you develop eye pain that is mild and you know the cause, you might be able to treat it at home. For example, if you have pain from an eyelash or discomfort from eye strain, it is usually easily treated. Consider the following home remedies: 

Rest the eyes: In some cases, if your eyes are tired from computer strain, just taking a break and resting the eyes may help. Try to take a break from computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices every 20 minutes and give your eyes a break.

Flush out a foreign body with saline: If you can see a foreign body, such as an eyelash or dirt in your eye, try to flush it out with saline. Other types of foreign bodies should only be removed by a doctor. A foreign body in the eye can lead to a corneal abrasion if not treated.

Warm compress: A warm compress may help with pain due to a stye. But avoid using a heating pad, which can lead to a burn.

Eye drops: If you have discomfort due to dry eye, lubricating eye drops can reduce irritation. Talk to your doctor about the best type of drops to use.

If eye pain is due to something more serious, medical treatment is needed. Treatment depends on the cause of the pain, but it could include medication, prescription eye drops, and surgery. 
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When is eye pain an emergency? 

In some instances, eye pain is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs you should seek immediate medical help include the following:

• A sudden change in vision
• Trouble moving the eye
• Blood coming from the eye
• You sustained blunt trauma or a chemical splash to the eye
• You suddenly see halos
• You have additional symptoms, such as a headache or nausea

Remember, you should not gamble with your eyesight. If in doubt, it’s best to see a doctor to evaluate eye pain. If you sustain trauma to the eye, even if you think it’s minor, it’s best to have it evaluated.

If you have any concerns about pain in or around the eyes or would like to talk about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, give our office a call at 508-746-8600. 
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