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Eye pain can be a complicated matter because the severity of the pain does not indicate the cause of the discomfort. A relatively minor problem, such as a superficial abrasion of the cornea, can be very painful. However, a serious eye problem such as cataracts, macular degeneration or a detached retina, may cause no pain.
The eye’s cornea is one of the most sensitive tissues of the body and can be very useful because it’s the first line of defense against external injury to the eye. You’ll be sure to notice something irritating the front surface of your eye.
Blurred vision, redness and sensitivity to light often accompany eye pain. So what are the common causes of eye pain?
Corneal foreign body
Metal shavings, sawdust and other organic material are common foreign bodies that can become embedded in the surface of the cornea. This pain ranges from mild to severe and is most bothersome when you’re blinking.
Blurred vision and sensitivity to light are common and most corneal foreign bodies can be removed in the doctor’s office.
Corneal abrasion
To put is simply, this is a scratched cornea. Most of these are not serious. These scratches can be uncomfortable and cause sensitivity to light and watery eyes.
Many scratches will heal on their own within 24 hours. Deeper abrasions can lead to serious eye infection and even a corneal ulcer if left untreated.
You should see an eye doctor for any sharp discomfort of the eye that doesn’t resolve quickly to determine the cause.
Dry eyes
Dry eye usually begins slowly and gradually increases in pain compared to eye pain from a corneal foreign body or abrasion. They can sometimes lead to a corneal abrasion because there aren’t enough tears to determine the severity of the dryness.
Other eye pain causes
– Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
– Eye infections
– Iritis (inflammation of the iris)
– Contact lens discomfort
What about pain behind your eye? This is usually caused by migraine headaches and sinus infections.
A migraine headache usually has pain behind one eye accompanied by pain elsewhere on the same side of the head. Pain behind the eye from a sinus infection is usually less severe and both eyes may be affected.
If you’re suffering from eye pain, stop in to see the professional eye doctors at Performance Eyecare. Our eye experts give the special attention everyone deserves. We will help you get back to living a pain-free life and seeing clearly!