Dominic Stone
Eye pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, inflammation, and infections. It can affect one or both eyes and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as redness, tearing, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or difficulty moving the eyes. One specific type of eye pain is angle-closure glaucoma, which occurs when there is a sudden increase in eye pressure, leading to severe pain, nausea, and blurred vision. Another condition that can cause eye pain is optic neuritis, an inflammation of the nerve connecting the eyes and brain, resulting in temporary loss of vision and discomfort when looking sideways. While eye strain is a common and usually non-serious condition, it can lead to eye pain and discomfort, especially with prolonged use of digital devices. It is important to seek medical attention for eye pain, especially when accompanied by symptoms like loss of vision, headache, or nausea, as it could indicate a more serious underlying condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pain | Dull ache, sharp pain, explosive pain, deep headache, or throbbing pain |
| Other symptoms | Red eyes, tearing, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, watery eyes, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, bulging eyes, loss of vision, frequent headaches, facial swelling, neck pain, jaw clenching, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and vomiting |
| Causes | Eye strain, digital device use, driving long distances, dry eyes, poor lighting, glare, uncorrected vision, eye muscle imbalance, stress, fatigue, injuries, inflammation, infections, angle-closure glaucoma, optic neuritis, Graves' disease, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, orbital issues, viral or bacterial infections, allergies, corneal laceration, corneal ulcer, keratitis, toothache, sinusitis, iritis or uveitis, thyroid eye disease, multiple sclerosis, poor vision, squinting, intense focusing, migraines, hormonal changes |
| Treatment | Eye drops, eye surgery, shielding eyes, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, oral non-narcotic medications, artificial tears, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, realignment of bite with custom-made aligners, corrective lenses, humidifier, computer glasses, prescription medications (triptans, local anesthetic, injections, steroids, calcium channel blockers), nerve blocks, nerve or brain stimulation |
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Angle-closure glaucoma
There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle and primary angle-closure. Primary open-angle glaucoma is typically painless, as the eye fluid does not drain correctly, causing damage to the optic nerve over time. On the other hand, angle-closure glaucoma is characterised by a sudden or gradual blockage of the drainage angle, leading to a quick rise in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma can occur in two forms: acute angle-closure glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the iris bows forward significantly, completely blocking the drainage angle and preventing any fluid from draining out of the eye. This results in a rapid increase in intraocular pressure, leading to severe eye pain, headaches, nausea, and blurred vision. Without immediate treatment, acute angle-closure glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss within hours.
Narrow-angle glaucoma, also known as closed-angle glaucoma, is more common in farsighted individuals with smaller interior chambers. In this form of the condition, the iris moves forward, thinning the angle that normally drains the eye. As the angle becomes narrower, fluid backs up, causing intraocular pressure to rise. If left untreated, narrow-angle glaucoma can progress into the emergency condition of acute angle-closure glaucoma.
The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma typically involves either laser surgery or conventional surgery to remove a small portion of the bunched-up outer edge of the iris, known as iridotomy. Eye drop medications may also be prescribed to help manage eye pressure. While angle-closure glaucoma can be a frightening experience, prompt medical attention and effective treatments are available to protect an individual's vision and prevent permanent damage.
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Orbital issues
Inflammation of the Orbit
Inflammation of the orbit (eye socket) can be caused by a body-wide inflammatory disorder or an inflammatory disorder that only affects the orbit. This inflammation can be brief or long-lasting, may or may not be caused by an infection, and can recur.
Orbital Cellulitis
Inflammation of the orbit due to an infection that affects the tissue within and around the eye and behind it is called orbital cellulitis.
Preseptal Cellulitis
Preseptal cellulitis is inflammation due to an infection that affects the eyelid, skin, and tissues around the front of the eye.
Noninfectious Inflammation
The most common cause of noninfectious inflammation of the eye socket is thyroid eye disease (also known as Graves ophthalmopathy). Systemic inflammatory disorders that affect the eye/orbit include granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener granulomatosis), which causes generalized inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis).
IgG4-Related Orbital Inflammation
IgG4-related orbital inflammation can affect the same structures as granulomatosis with polyangiitis but typically has fewer symptoms.
Inflammatory Disorders
Inflammatory disorders that affect only the eye include scleritis, in which the white coat of the eye (sclera) becomes inflamed. Inflammation affecting any or all parts of the orbit is called inflammatory orbital pseudotumor (which is not a tumor or cancer) or nonspecific orbital inflammation.
Other Orbital Issues
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma is a rare condition that causes severe pain, nausea, and blurred vision due to a sudden, rapid increase in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma can cause severe pain around the eyes and requires immediate medical attention to protect vision.
Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
GCA, also called temporal arteritis, may cause the arteries in the scalp, head, and temples to swell. It can also occur with a joint pain disorder known as polymyalgia rheumatica, causing widespread aches and stiffness in people over 50. GCA requires immediate medical treatment to reduce the risk of vision loss.
Graves' Disease
Graves' disease, or thyroid eye disease, can cause the tissues, muscles, and fat behind the eye to swell, resulting in the eyeball bulging from the socket and difficulty moving the eyeball.
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is a condition in which the nerve that connects the eyes and brain becomes inflamed and swollen. Side effects can include pain and temporary loss of vision. Infections can trigger optic neuritis, and it is also associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Optic neuritis
The exact cause of optic neuritis is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with the immune system mistakenly targeting the substance covering the optic nerve, known as myelin. This results in inflammation and subsequent damage to the myelin sheath. Optic neuritis is commonly seen in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive autoimmune disorder. Infections, such as viral or bacterial infections, can also trigger optic neuritis by activating the immune system to attack the optic nerve.
The symptoms of optic neuritis vary in severity and may include eye pain, particularly during eye movement, temporary vision loss, flashing or flickering lights with eye movements, and changes in colour perception. Some people may experience a dull ache behind the eye, while others might have more intense pain. Side vision loss can occur in various patterns, such as central or peripheral vision loss.
Treatment for optic neuritis depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, optic neuritis may resolve on its own within a few weeks, and vision may return to normal. Steroid medications, particularly intravenous steroids, may be recommended to speed up the recovery of vision. However, long-term use of corticosteroids can have side effects, including high blood sugar, weight gain, and bone problems.
It is important to seek medical attention if you experience eye pain, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, or signs of infection. A careful medical evaluation of the eye can lead to an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for optic neuritis.
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Eye strain
If you are experiencing eye strain, you can start by getting an eye exam and making adjustments to your lifestyle and environment. For example, you can keep a humidifier near your workspace and position your computer screen so that you gaze slightly downward to see it. You can also ask your eye doctor about computer glasses.
If your eye strain is severe or long-term, you should make an appointment with a medical provider to rule out any more serious conditions. A healthcare provider can diagnose eye strain and discuss your symptoms, when they started, and what tasks you might be doing when they occur. They may also do a physical exam to look for muscle imbalance, uncorrected refractive errors, and other issues.
While eye strain is usually temporary and will disappear on its own, it is important to take eye pain seriously. If you experience eye pain along with other symptoms such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, bulging eyeballs, or inability to move your eyes through their normal range of motion, you should seek medical help quickly.
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Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, often caused by overtight muscles in the neck and scalp. They can also be caused by sleeping in an uncomfortable position, clenching the jaw while asleep, or doing close work for extended periods. Treatment for tension headaches typically involves over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), but they often resolve on their own within a few hours. However, some individuals experience chronic tension headaches that necessitate medical evaluation.
Migraines are another type of headache that can cause eye pain. People with migraines often report throbbing pain behind one eye, and they may also experience strange visual auras that restrict their peripheral vision. These auras typically disappear within 20 minutes. Migraines are believed to be related to fluctuations in hormones and can be more prevalent in certain seasons. Treatment options for migraines include prescription medications for pain, such as triptans and local anaesthetics, as well as preventative measures like steroids and calcium channel blockers.
Cluster headaches are a particularly painful type of headache that can cause pain behind the eyes. They tend to affect men more than women and can occur suddenly, reoccurring at regular intervals over a 24-hour period. Scientists suspect the hypothalamus, which regulates the interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems, plays a role in cluster headaches. Treatment options include prescription medications, nerve blocks, and nerve or brain stimulation techniques.
It is important to consult an eye doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate eye health and identify the source of eye pain. While eye strain is a common issue, especially with the increased use of digital devices, it usually goes away on its own and is not dangerous. However, severe or persistent eye pain, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like blurred vision, halos around lights, bulging eyes, or signs of infection, warrants prompt medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
Common causes of eye pain include injuries, inflammation, infections, dry eyes, and eye strain.
Symptoms of eye muscle pain can include soreness, redness, tearing, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and difficulty moving the eye.
If you experience eye pain, it is important to seek medical help, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision, headache, nausea, or fever. An eye doctor can diagnose the cause of the eye pain and provide appropriate treatment.
