What causes eye pain and soreness. How to identify different types of eye discomfort. When should you seek medical attention for eye pain. What treatments are available for various eye conditions.

Common Causes of Eye Pain and Discomfort

Eye pain and soreness are prevalent issues that affect many individuals at some point in their lives. While some cases may resolve on their own, others can indicate more serious underlying conditions. Understanding the potential causes of eye discomfort is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Blepharitis: Eyelid Inflammation

Blepharitis is an inflammation or infection of the eyelid that typically doesn’t cause significant pain. It can lead to redness, irritation, and a feeling of grittiness in the eyes. Proper eyelid hygiene and warm compresses are often recommended as initial treatments.

Conjunctivitis: The “Pink Eye” Problem

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye,” is an inflammation of the conjunctiva – the thin, clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It can be caused by allergies, viruses, or bacteria. Symptoms include redness, itching, and discharge. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, with antibacterial eye drops prescribed for bacterial infections and antihistamines for allergic reactions.

Corneal Issues: Abrasions and Infections

The cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, is susceptible to various problems that can cause significant discomfort.

Corneal Abrasions: Scratches on the Eye Surface

A corneal abrasion is essentially a scratch on the surface of the eye. Despite its seemingly minor nature, it can cause considerable pain. These abrasions can occur from rubbing the eye or from foreign objects. How are corneal abrasions treated? Typically, antibiotic drops are prescribed, and the condition usually improves within a couple of days.

Keratitis: Corneal Inflammation

Keratitis refers to inflammation or infection of the cornea, often caused by bacteria or viruses. Contact lens wearers, especially those who leave lenses in overnight or don’t clean them properly, are at higher risk. Symptoms may include pain, redness, and blurred vision. Treatment usually involves antiviral or antibacterial eye drops, depending on the cause.

Foreign Bodies and Eye Irritation

Foreign bodies in the eye, such as dust or small debris, can cause irritation and discomfort. Attempts to remove these objects should be done carefully to avoid scratching the cornea. Rinsing the eye with artificial tears or clean water can often help dislodge minor particles. If unsuccessful, seeking professional help is advisable to prevent further complications.

Glaucoma: A Silent Threat to Vision

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions characterized by increased intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss if left untreated. While most forms of glaucoma develop slowly without early symptoms, acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency condition that causes sudden and severe eye pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, and vision problems.

How is glaucoma treated? Treatment typically involves eye drops to reduce pressure, and in some cases, oral medications or surgery may be necessary. Regular eye check-ups are crucial for early detection and management of glaucoma.

Inflammatory Conditions: Iritis and Uveitis

Iritis and uveitis are inflammatory conditions affecting the inside of the eye. They can result from trauma, infections, or autoimmune disorders. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, and often decreased vision. Treatment usually involves steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation, along with addressing any underlying causes.

Optic Neuritis: When the Optic Nerve is Affected

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. It’s often associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis or can be triggered by infections. Symptoms include vision loss and discomfort when moving the eyes. Corticosteroids are typically used to treat optic neuritis and help restore vision.

Related Conditions: Sinusitis and Styes

Eye pain can sometimes be related to conditions affecting surrounding structures.

Sinusitis: Pressure Behind the Eyes

Sinusitis, an infection of the sinuses, can cause pressure and pain behind the eyes. This pain may be felt on one or both sides, depending on which sinuses are affected. Treatment usually involves addressing the underlying sinus infection with antibiotics or decongestants.

Styes: Painful Bumps on the Eyelid

A stye is a tender, often red bump that forms on the edge of the eyelid due to an infected oil gland, eyelash follicle, or hair follicle. While uncomfortable, styes are generally harmless and often resolve on their own. Warm compresses can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing.

Recognizing Associated Symptoms

Eye pain rarely occurs in isolation. Understanding accompanying symptoms can provide valuable clues for diagnosis:

• Vision changes
• Discharge (clear or colored)
• Sensation of a foreign body
• Headache
• Light sensitivity
• Nausea or vomiting
• Redness or pinkness of the eye
• Excessive tearing
• Crusting of the eyelids upon waking

The presence and combination of these symptoms can help healthcare professionals determine the underlying cause of eye pain and guide appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic Approaches for Eye Pain

When experiencing persistent or severe eye pain, especially if accompanied by vision changes, headaches, or nausea, it’s crucial to seek professional medical attention. Eye doctors employ various diagnostic tools and techniques to identify the cause of eye pain:

Slit-Lamp Examination

A slit-lamp exam utilizes a specialized microscope with an intense light source to examine the structures of the eye in detail. This allows the doctor to closely inspect the cornea, iris, lens, and other parts of the eye for signs of damage or disease.

Pupil Dilation

Dilating drops are used to expand the pupil, allowing the doctor to see deeper into the eye and examine the retina and optic nerve. This can be crucial for diagnosing conditions that affect the back of the eye.

Tonometry

Tonometry is a test used to measure intraocular pressure, which is essential for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma. There are several methods of tonometry, including the “air puff” test and more precise contact methods.

Treatment Strategies for Eye Pain

The treatment for eye pain varies significantly depending on the underlying cause. Here are some common approaches:

Antibiotic and Antiviral Medications

For bacterial or viral infections affecting the eye or surrounding structures, antibiotic or antiviral medications may be prescribed. These can be in the form of eye drops, ointments, or oral medications, depending on the specific condition and its severity.

Anti-Inflammatory Treatments

Conditions involving inflammation, such as iritis or certain forms of conjunctivitis, may be treated with anti-inflammatory medications. These often include steroid eye drops or, in some cases, oral corticosteroids.

Pressure-Reducing Medications

For glaucoma, medications to reduce intraocular pressure are crucial. These typically come in the form of eye drops, though oral medications may sometimes be necessary. In cases where medication is insufficient, surgical intervention might be considered.

Supportive Care

Some conditions, like minor corneal abrasions or styes, may primarily require supportive care. This can include artificial tears, warm compresses, and proper eye hygiene practices. While these treatments may seem simple, they can be highly effective for certain types of eye discomfort.

Preventing Eye Pain and Maintaining Ocular Health

While not all causes of eye pain are preventable, there are several steps individuals can take to maintain good eye health and reduce the risk of developing painful eye conditions:

1. Practice good hygiene: Regularly wash hands and avoid touching or rubbing eyes unnecessarily.
2. Use proper eye protection: Wear safety glasses when engaging in activities that pose a risk of eye injury.
3. Follow contact lens care instructions: Clean and replace contact lenses as recommended, and avoid sleeping with them in.
4. Manage screen time: Take regular breaks when using digital devices to prevent eye strain.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E can contribute to eye health.
6. Schedule regular eye exams: Even if you don’t wear glasses, routine check-ups can detect early signs of eye problems.
7. Protect eyes from UV radiation: Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays when outdoors.

By incorporating these practices into daily life, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing painful eye conditions and maintain optimal ocular health.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While many causes of eye pain can be managed with home care or routine medical visits, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These include:

• Sudden, severe eye pain
• Significant changes in vision, including sudden blurriness or loss of vision
• Eye pain accompanied by fever, headache, and extreme light sensitivity
• Signs of eye infection, such as redness, swelling, and discharge, that worsen rapidly
• Eye pain following a blow to the eye or other trauma
• Chemical exposure to the eye

In these cases, prompt medical evaluation can be crucial in preventing severe complications and preserving vision.

The Role of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Regular comprehensive eye exams play a vital role in maintaining overall eye health and preventing potentially painful conditions. These exams go beyond simply checking visual acuity and can detect a wide range of eye problems, often before symptoms become noticeable.

Components of a Comprehensive Eye Exam

A thorough eye examination typically includes:

• Visual acuity testing
• Refraction assessment
• Eye muscle balance testing
• Pupil response evaluation
• Peripheral vision testing
• Intraocular pressure measurement
• Examination of the front part of the eye with a slit lamp
• Evaluation of the retina and optic nerve

How often should you have a comprehensive eye exam? For adults with no known eye problems, every 1-2 years is generally recommended. However, those with existing eye conditions, certain medical problems like diabetes, or a family history of eye disease may need more frequent examinations.

Emerging Technologies in Eye Care

The field of ophthalmology is constantly evolving, with new technologies enhancing both the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. Some notable advancements include:

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

OCT is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina. This technology allows eye care professionals to see each of the retina’s distinctive layers, which can be used to map and measure their thickness. These measurements help with diagnosis and provide treatment guidance for glaucoma and diseases of the retina.

Adaptive Optics

Adaptive optics technology, originally developed for use in astronomy, is now being applied in eye care. It allows for incredibly detailed imaging of individual cells in the retina, which can aid in the early detection and monitoring of various eye diseases.

Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis

AI algorithms are being developed to assist in the interpretation of eye scans and images. These tools have shown promise in detecting conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration with high accuracy, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and treatment.

As these and other technologies continue to advance, they offer the potential for more precise diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and improved outcomes for patients experiencing eye pain and other ocular issues.

The Psychological Impact of Chronic Eye Pain

While the physical aspects of eye pain are often the primary focus, it’s important to recognize the psychological impact that chronic eye discomfort can have on an individual’s quality of life. Persistent eye pain can lead to:

• Anxiety and depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Reduced social interaction
• Difficulty concentrating
• Decreased work productivity

Addressing these psychological aspects is crucial for comprehensive patient care. Mental health support, stress management techniques, and pain coping strategies may be beneficial alongside medical treatments for eye conditions.

The Future of Eye Pain Management

As our understanding of eye pain and its various causes continues to grow, new approaches to management and treatment are emerging. Some areas of ongoing research and development include:

Targeted Drug Delivery Systems

Researchers are working on novel drug delivery methods that can more effectively target specific areas of the eye, potentially improving treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.

Regenerative Medicine

Stem cell therapies and tissue engineering show promise for treating certain eye conditions that can cause pain, such as corneal disorders.

Neurostimulation Techniques

Electrical stimulation of specific nerves is being explored as a potential treatment for certain types of eye pain, particularly those related to nerve dysfunction.

Personalized Medicine

Advances in genetic testing and biomarker identification may lead to more individualized treatment approaches, allowing for therapies tailored to a patient’s specific genetic profile and risk factors.

These emerging fields offer hope for more effective and targeted treatments for eye pain in the future, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life for those affected by chronic ocular discomfort.

Why Do My Eyes Hurt? 11 Possible Causes of Eye Pain and Soreness

Nearly everyone has had sore eyes at some point. Sometimes they get better on their own, but they can also be a sign of something more serious.

Your eye doctor can figure out what’s going on and find the right treatment for you.

Where Does It Hurt?

Sometimes discomfort or pain results from a problem in your eye or the parts around it, such as:

• Cornea: The clear window in the front of your eye that focuses light
• Sclera: The whites of your eyes
• Conjunctiva: The ultra-thin covering of your sclera and the inside of your eyelid
• Iris: The colored part of your eye, with the pupil in the middle
• Orbit: A bony cave (eye socket) in your skull where the eye and its muscles are located.
• Extraocular muscles: They rotate your eye.
• Nerves: They carry visual information from your eyes to your brain.
• Eyelids: Outside coverings that protect and spread moisture over your eyes.

Common Eye Problems

Blepharitis: An inflammation or infection of the eyelid which typically is not painful

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye): This is inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can be from allergies or infections (viral or bacterial). Blood vessels in the conjunctiva swell. This makes the part of your eye that’s usually white look red. Your eye could also get itchy and gunky. This condition is typically not painful.

Corneal abrasions: That’s the official name for a scratch on this part of your eye. It sounds minor, but it can hurt. It’s easy to do, too. You can scratch your eye while rubbing it. Your doctor will give you antibiotic drops. It should get better in a couple of days without further problems.

Corneal infections (keratitis): An inflamed or infected cornea is sometimes caused by a bacterial or viral infection. You may be more likely to get it if you leave your contacts in overnight or wear dirty lenses.

Foreign bodies: Something in your eye, like a bit of dirt, can irritate it. Try to rinse it out with artificial tears or water. If you don’t get it out, it can scratch your eye.

Glaucoma: This family of conditions causes fluid to build up in your eye. That puts pressure on your optic nerve. If you don’t treat it, you could lose your sight. Most of the time there are no early symptoms. But a type called acute angle-closure glaucoma causes pressure inside your eye to rise suddenly. Symptoms include severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, and worsening vision. This is an emergency. You need treatment ASAP to prevent blindness.

Iritis or uveitis: An inflammation inside your eye from trauma, infections, or problems with your immune system. Symptoms include pain, red eye, and, often, worse vision.

Optic neuritis: An inflammation of the nerve that travels from the back of the eyeball into your brain. Multiple sclerosis and other conditions or infections are often to blame. Symptoms include loss of vision and sometimes deep discomfort when you look from side to side.

Sinusitis: An infection in one of your sinuses. When pressure builds up behind your eyes, it can cause pain on one or both sides.

Stye: This is a tender bump on the edge of your eyelid. It happens when an oil gland, eyelash, or hair follicle gets infected or inflamed. You may hear your doctor call it a chalazion or hordeolum.

Other Symptoms

Eye pain can happen on its own or with other symptoms, like:

• Less vision
• Discharge: It can be clear or thick and colored
• Foreign body sensation — the feeling that something is in the eye, whether real or imagined
• Headache
• Light sensitivity
• Nausea or vomiting
• Red eye or pinkeye
• Tearing
• Your eye is crusted shut with discharge when you wake up.

Other symptoms along with sore eyes can be a clue to what is causing the pain.

Tests to Diagnose Eye Pain

See your eye doctor if you have eye pain, especially if you have less vision, headache, or nausea and vomiting.

Eye doctors use a variety of tools to diagnose eye pain:

• A slit-lamp exam uses bright light to look at all the structures of your eye.
• Dilating drops expand your pupil to let the doctor see deep into your eye.
• A tonometer is a tool that measures eye pressure. The doctor uses it to diagnose glaucoma.

Treatments

Just as causes can vary, so do treatments. They target the specific cause of eye pain.

Conjunctivitis: Antibacterial eyedrops can cure bacterial conjunctivitis. Antihistamines in the form of eyedrops, a pill, or a syrup can improve conjunctivitis from allergies.

Corneal abrasions: These heal on their own with time. Your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic ointment or drops.

Glaucoma: You’ll get eyedrops and maybe pills to reduce pressure. If they don’t work, you may need surgery.

Infected cornea: You may need antiviral or antibacterial eyedrops.

Iritis: The doctor will treat this with steroid, antibiotic, or antiviral eyedrops.

Optic neuritis: It’s treated with corticosteroids.

Styes: Use warm compresses at home for a few days.

The only way to sort out the causes of eye pain and to get the right treatment is to see a doctor. Your vision is precious. Protect it by taking eye pain seriously.

Photophobia: Light Sensitivity and Migraines

Photophobia literally means “fear of light.” If you have photophobia, you’re not actually afraid of light, but you are very sensitive to it. The sun or bright indoor light can be uncomfortable, even painful.

Photophobia isn’t a condition — it’s a symptom of another problem. Migraine headaches, dry eyes, and swelling inside your eye are commonly linked to light sensitivity.

It can cause pain whenever you’re in bright sunlight or indoor light. You might want to blink or close your eyes. Some people also get headaches.

Causes

Photophobia is linked to the connection between cells in your eyes that detect light and a nerve that goes to your head.

Migraines are the most common cause of light sensitivity. Up to 80% of people who get them have photophobia along with their headaches. Many of those people are light sensitive even when they don’t have a headache.

Other types of headaches can cause photophobia, too. People who get tension and cluster headaches also say they’re uncomfortable around bright light.

A few brain conditions can cause photophobia, including:

• Meningitis (swelling of the protective coverings of your brain and spinal cord)
• Serious brain injury
• Supranuclear palsy (a brain disorder that causes problems with balance, walking, and eye movement)
• Tumors in your pituitary gland

Some eye diseases cause this symptom, including:

• Dry eye
• Uveitis (swelling of the inside of your eye)
• Keratitis (swelling of your cornea, the clear layer that covers the colored part of your eye)
• Iritis (swelling of the colored ring around your pupil)
• Cataracts (cloudy coverings over the lenses of your eyes)
• Corneal abrasion (a scratch on your cornea)
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that sits over the white part of your eye)
• Damage to your retina, the light-sensitive layer in the back of your eye
• Blepharospasm (a condition that makes your eyelids close uncontrollably)

Photophobia may also affect some people who have these mental health conditions:

• Agoraphobia (a fear of being in public places)
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Panic disorder

You can also get photophobia after you have LASIK or other surgery to fix vision problems.

Certain wavelengths of light — like the blue light your computer and smartphone give off — cause the most sensitivity.

Some medicines can also cause photophobia, including:

Diagnosis

If you think you have photophobia, see your eye doctor. They’ll ask about your symptoms and any medical conditions you have. Then they’ll check the health of your eyes and possibly your brain.

Tests your doctor might use include:

• Slit-lamp eye exam. They’ll use a special microscope with a light to examine your eyes.
• MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging.This uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make detailed pictures of your eyes.
• Exam of the tear film. This checks the amount of tears you make to see if you have dry eyes.

Treatment

The best way to ease photophobia is to treat the condition or stop taking the medicine that’s causing it.

If you’re still affected by it, tinted glasses may help. Some people have found relief from rose-colored lenses called FL-41.

But tinted lenses aren’t for everyone. They can make some people even more sensitive to light, so talk with your doctor about what’s best for you.

What Should You Do If You Have Pain in Your Eye Socket? | For Eyes

11-05-2020

For Eyes

Do you ever experience sharp eye pain that just doesn’t seem to go away? Occasional eye irritation might not be a cause for concern, but consistent eye pain is. 

And whether you have pain behind your right eye, left eye, or somewhere else, your optometrist will want to know about it to ensure you the necessary treatment before your symptoms worsen. 

Let’s talk about what to do if you experience pain in your eye socket. 

What to Do If You Have Pain in Your Eye Socket

While eye pain doesn’t always signify a serious condition, such as an eye disease, it can. Fortunately, the first step toward getting the right care is awareness, and when it comes to keeping patients informed, For Eyes is second to none. 

If you have pain in your eye socket, here’s what to do: 

Step #1: Assess all of your symptoms.

Your symptoms are vital in helping you understand what’s going on with your eyes. Assess whether you remember getting anything in your eye, as that can lead to discomfort within and around the eye, such as beneath the eyelid. 

Also, think about how your eye pain is impacting your vision. If it feels like your eyesight is deteriorating, and your eyes hurt, those could be signs of an emergency.

Here are potential causes of pain in the eye socket, along with accompanying symptoms to keep track of:

• Anterior Uveitis: Blurry vision and light sensitivity
• Dry Eye Disease: A burning sensation within the eye, an increased tear flow, and itchiness
• Glaucoma: A queasy feeling, eye Inflammation, and noticing bright circles around well-lit objects
• Optic Neuritis: Discomfort when gazing around and shaded vision
• Sinusitis: A cough and tension in the head

Step #2: Contact an eye doctor near you.

An optometrist can perform various eye tests to identify the cause of your discomfort. Whether you have pain in your eye socket or pain behind your right eye, a certified Independent Doctor of Optometry can assist you. 

Here are some questions they may ask when you call in:

• Are you experiencing eye pain in other parts of your eye or around it? 
• Do you have eye pain and a headache?
• How would you rate your discomfort? 
• What other symptoms do you have?

Depending on your symptoms, the eye doctor may have you come in for an eye exam, or they may have you treat your condition at home. Here’s how to prepare if they have you stop in for an appointment:

Summary: How to Approach Pain in Your Eye Socket

If you experience any achiness in either eye, we recommend watching for other symptoms. Sharp eye pain may or may not signify a serious condition, such as an eye disease, which is why understanding the full extent of your symptoms is paramount to your diagnosis.

After jotting down your symptoms, we recommend calling an optometrist in your area. The eye doctor may advise you to stop by for an eye examination, or they may recommend at-home treatment options. 

Whether you’ll need to come in or not depends on your symptoms. However, if your eye pain is concerning you at all, and you don’t seem to know the reason behind it, calling your eye doctor won’t hurt. Our team is available most days to help you out and answer your questions.

Book your eye exam at For Eyes

Have you had your annual comprehensive eye exam? Schedule an appointment with an Independent Doctor of Optometry at your local For Eyes.

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7 Reasons Why There’s Pain Behind Your Eye

At one time or another, each of us has likely experienced some type of eye pain. It can range from dull to intense and can be sometimes be accompanied by fever, tearing, redness, light sensitivity, sinus pressure, double vision, and numbness. Most often, pain behind your eye isn’t a serious condition, but in some instances, it can be. That’s why it’s important to figure out what’s most likely causing your eye pain. Here are some common reasons associated with pain behind your eye.

1. Dry eye. Dry eye syndrome is a relatively common condition in which your eyes are unable to produce adequate tears to moisten the eye. Dry eyes can bring on sensitivity to light and headaches, both of which can be painful and lead to pain behind your eyes.
2. Problems with vision. If you have a tendency to focus or squint to make up for a vision problem like farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, you are more prone to develop eye pain. That’s because your brain and eyes are trying to compensate for your compromised vision.
3. Sinus inflammation. Also referred to as sinusitis, sinus inflammation causes pressure and pain behind your eyes and tenderness in the front of your face.
4. Throbbing pain from a migraine headache almost always includes pain behind the eyes.
5. This condition is caused by the buildup of intraocular pressure. And when pressure increases in your eye, it can lead to pain oftentimes coupled with nausea, swollen eyelids, watery eyes, and loss of peripheral vision.
6. When pain is felt specifically behind the left eye, it could possibly indicate a brain aneurysm. This occurs when blood vessels or an artery wall in the brain are weak, resulting in possible hemorrhaging or stroke.
7. Stabbing pain behind the eye could be caused by inflammation from inside the sclera (the outer coating of your eye ball.) This condition is sometimes combined with other symptoms like redness and light sensitivity.

If you’re experiencing moderate to severe eye pain, or to learn more about any of the services we provide, please call North Toronto Eye Specialists today to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at 416-748-2020.

Eye Socket Infection (Orbital Cellulitis)

What is orbital cellulitis?

Orbital cellulitis is a severe infection inside your eye socket, which is called the orbit.

Orbital cellulitis is an emergency. It can cause permanent blindness if not treated right away.

What is the cause?

Eye socket infections can start after a surgery or an injury to the eye. Sinus or dental infections, or skin infections around your eye and eyelids can spread to your eye socket through the thin bones and veins near your eye. Also, an infection that starts somewhere else in your body can spread through the bloodstream to your eye.

Eye socket infections are usually caused by bacteria. Fungus may cause this infection if you have if your immune system is weakened by diabetes, HIV, chemotherapy, or other conditions. Fungus is a kind of germ. It includes things like yeast, mold, and mildew.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Decreased vision or double vision
• Pain, swelling, and redness in and around your eye
• Watery, yellow, or green discharge from your eye
• Fever
• Problems moving your eye in one or more directions
• One eye looks like it bulges forward compared to the other eye

You may have a runny nose or a stuffy nose with these symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

Your eye care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and do exams and tests such as:

• An exam using a microscope with a light attached, called a slit lamp, to look closely at the front and back of your eye
• An exam using drops to enlarge, or dilate, your pupils and a light to look into the back of your eyes
• CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of your eye socket
• MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures the bones and tissues of your eye socket and sinuses
• Lab tests of the discharge from your eye
• Blood tests to check for signs of infection and bacteria in the blood

How is it treated?

If the infection is found and treated quickly, you may have no loss of vision. You may need to stay in the hospital and receive medicines to treat the infection through an IV. You may need surgery to drain the infection.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment your healthcare provider prescribes. Ask your healthcare provider:

• How and when you will hear your test results
• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I prevent an eye socket infection?

If you think you have an infection of the skin around your eye or of your eyelids, contact your healthcare provider. If you have a history of sinus infections and develop eye symptoms, you should also seek medical attention.

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This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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‘Sore Eyes’ Reported as Most Significant Ocular Symptom of COVID-19

The most significant ocular symptom experienced by those suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was sore eyes, according to new research published in BMJ Open Ophthalmology.

Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, with the most common symptoms being continuous cough and high temperature, previous research has shown ocular manifestations may present in some individuals with the disease. One study conducted in China found that among children diagnosed with COVID-19, the most common ocular symptoms included conjunctival discharge, eye rubbing, and conjunctival congestion.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is also a less common symptom of COVID-19 but is included in the World Health Organization’s list of symptoms. Despite the greater prevalence of more life-threatening outcomes, “The type, frequency, and ocular transmission of the virus must not be ignored, especially as the eye has been recognized as one of the organs through which the virus might enter the body,” researchers wrote.

In addition, there are currently no studies that have conclusively determined the mechanism through with SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, infects the conjunctiva. According to authors, ocular symptoms are present in between 4% to 31% of those with COVID-19 but may be underreported as they are usually not severe.

To better understand which ocular symptoms are reported most frequently, how these symptoms compare with other COVID-19 symptoms, and how long they last, researchers developed and disseminated an online questionnaire.

The majority of questions were adapted from the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire (SEEQ) that have been used in other COVID-19 studies. Researchers collected anonymous online data between April 16 and July 20, 2020 from a total of 83 participants over the age of 18. All participants had tested positive for COVID-19, as confirmed by a health care provider, and the majority (65%) were female.

Data showed:

• The most reported COVID-19 symptoms were dry cough (66%), fever (76%), fatigue (90%) and loss of smell/taste (70%).
• The 3 most common ocular symptoms were photophobia (18%), sore eyes (16%) and itchy eyes (17%).
• The frequency of sore eyes was significantly higher (P = .002) during COVID-19 state (16%) compared with pre-COVID-19 state (5%).
• 81% of participants reported to have experienced ocular symptoms within 2 weeks of other COVID-19 symptoms, and 80% reported they lasted for less than 2 weeks.
• There was no significant difference in the duration of eye symptoms and the other symptoms of COVID-19 (P = .147)
• There was no significant effect of different age groups on ocular symptoms (P <. 05), or significant difference between males and females (P >.05)

“While it is important that ocular symptoms are included in the list of possible COVID-19 symptoms, we argue that sore eyes should replace ‘conjunctivitis’ as it is important to differentiate from symptoms of other types of infections, such as bacterial infections, which manifest as mucous discharge or gritty eyes,” authors wrote.

In addition, the data “agree with the fact that there has been an increase in ‘sore eyes’ as increasing trending Google search term over the past 10 months.”

Future studies ought to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect the conjunctiva and result in ocular symptoms. Researchers also hypothesize the cornea may be the site of infection. “In cornea limbal stem cells from healthy human participants and murine cornea, high mRNA expression of ACE2 [angiotensin converting enzyme 2] and TMPRSS2 has been identified, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may infect the ocular surface via the cornea using the traditional ACE2-TMPRSS2-mediated mechanism of cell entry. ” This type of infection may also enable the spread of the virus through the nose, lungs, bloodstream and nervous system.

In the current study, researchers did not collect data on prior eye disease or on self-reported vision loss, potentially marking a limitation. Because the study was conducted online, responses may have been biased toward digitally literate patients. Additional studies geared toward including older patients with COVID-19 ocular manifestations are thus warranted.

Reference

Pardhan S, Vaughan M, Zhang J, Smith L, and Chichger H. Sore eyes as the most significant ocular symptoms experienced by people with COVID-19: a comparison between pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 states. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. Published online November 30, 2020. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000632

10 Reasons Your Eyes Are Acting Weird, According to Doctors

Your eyes play a huge role in how you experience the world around you, so when they start acting weird, it can definitely set off some worry. Symptoms like pain in your eye socket, feeling like there’s something in your eye, or eyes that feel heavy can be a direct result of an issue with the eye itself—but it can also be a sign that something is seriously off elsewhere.

“Nothing in your body is in a box,” says Deborah Herrmann, M.D., assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology and attending physician at Scheie Eye Institute at University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. “Your eyes are connected to your central nervous system and everything else. Something that’s affecting your body can be affecting your eyes as well.”

Below, doctors explain the potential reasons your eyes are acting weird, whether it’s due to something within your eyes or beyond.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve, which transmits messages from your eyes to your brain, allowing you to see, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Glaucoma typically happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye, increasing pressure that eventually damages the nerve. That can cause symptoms like blind spots and halos.

“The blind spots usually start along the outside of the vision, but can occur close to the center,” says Danielle Orr, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O., assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. “Depending on the nature of the missing area of vision, part of a sentence may disappear while reading, or an object to the side may not be visible when looking straight ahead.”

If pressure in your eye is high, halos (bright circles around a light source) can be seen, says Aakriti Garg Shukla, M.D., assistant professor of ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Glaucoma can lead to “severely reduced vision” and even blindness.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a problem with your eye’s lens, which bends light rays that come into your eye to help you see, the AAO explains. The lens should be clear, but when you have cataracts it becomes cloudy, causing blurred, hazy, or less colorful vision.

“As we age, the lens’ cells grow and die, leading to buildup of debris and clouding of the lens,” Dr. Shukla says. “This causes distortion of the way the light enters the eyes.”

A cataractous lens is yellow or brown instead of clear and can cause you to develop a yellowish tint to your vision. People with cataracts also have difficulty seeing details in the dark and can struggle with glare, Dr. Orr says. “The combination of increased glare and decreased contrast makes night driving especially difficult,” she adds.

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration (or age-related macular degeneration) happens when a part of your retina, the thin layer of tissue that covers the back of your eye, is damaged, the AAO says.

“Macular degeneration occurs when the eye cannot get rid of byproducts formed by the photoreceptors in the retina,” Dr. Orr says. “The byproducts form deposits, called drusen, disrupt the smooth layers of the retina and can lead to distorted vision. ” Over time, those photoreceptors don’t function properly, and your vision can become blurred.

Macular degeneration specifically affects the macula of your retina, which allows you to have sharp focus and see fine details, Dr. Shukla says. That can cause objects or faces to seem distorted, and make straight lines appear wavy, she says.

Eye strain

fizkesGetty Images

“Eye strain occurs when the eyes become tired from constant use,” Dr. Shukla says. This can happen when you’ve spent too much time staring at a screen or book, or have been driving a long distance for a long period of time, she says. “This attention leads to a reduced blink rate or prolonged staring, causing dryness and accompanying symptoms—soreness, burning, itching, and tired eyes,” Dr. Orr says. “The discomfort can become so severe that keeping your eyes open may be painful.”

High cholesterol

High cholesterol is a condition that causes the level of unhealthy fats to increase your blood, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This is usually a result of certain lifestyle factors (like your diet) and genetics.

“Someone with high cholesterol can have transient vision loss that comes and goes, like a curtain or shade coming and going over their eye,” says Dr. Herrmann. This is a sign your carotid artery is plugged with plaque and struggling to get blood to your eye. You may also have eye pain, notice a grey ring around your cornea (called an arcus senilis), or have trouble adjusting to bright light. In some cases, yellowish cholesterol deposits called xanthelasma can show up on your eyelids or in the corners of your eye socket.

Thyroid problems

ChesiireCatGetty Images

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ in your neck, and it controls certain hormones that help regulate your growth and metabolism. If your thyroid isn’t functioning properly it can lead to a host of problems, which sometimes includes swollen eye muscles and congested eye sockets that cause your eyes to bulge out and look bigger than usual, says Dr. Herrmann. You might also have double vision.

Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects your thyroid, can make your eyelids retract, which can also make your eyes look bigger than usual, the AAO says. If your eyelids retract enough that you can’t close your eye, you may develop dry eye, since your lids can’t keep moisture in.

Diabetes

Regular eye exams are a good idea for anyone, but it’s a must if you have diabetes or are at high risk for the condition. “Diabetes can make the macula—the part of the retina that controls your central vision—swell or retain fluid or fluid,” says Dr. Herrmann. While you might not completely lose your vision, she says, you’d definitely notice a change for the worse.

People with diabetes are also nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma and up to five times more likely to get cataracts, and they should be on the lookout for diabetic retinopathy—a set of disorders that affect the light-sensitive part of your eye. Retinopathy can cause problems like blurry vision or even retinal detachment.

Retinal migraines

Temporary blind spots in your vision could mean you’re having a migraine of the eye. This isn’t the same as a headache-type migraine. Retinal migraines cause “blank spots” in your vision called scotomas. “[The blind spots] only last for a certain number of minutes, and you may or may not have pain,” says Dr. Herrmann. You may also see flashes of light, have blurry vision, or get a headache before or after your eye symptoms. If it happens repeatedly—especially if it only impacts one eye—see an eye doctor to get checked out.

Autoimmune disease

Got droopy eyelids? It could be a sign of an autoimmune disorder called myasthenia gravis, which can cause muscle weakness that can make it hard to open your eyes all the way. Meanwhile, lupus and certain types of arthritis can lead to uveitis, an infection in the layer of your eye called the uvea. And eyesight changes are sometimes a clue that you should get screened for multiple sclerosis.

“If you develop decreasing vision in one eye over the course of a few days or weeks and you have pain in or around one eye—especially when you move it—it could be your first presenting sign of MS,” says Dr. Herrmann.

Stroke

Sudden loss of sight is startling—and for good reason. It could be a sign that you’re about to have a stroke, or that you’ve already had one. Normally, vision loss from a stroke happens in one eye only, but it can happen in both, causing blindness. Sometimes strokes damage the nerves that move your eyes, which can make you see double.

Strange as it sounds, it’s also possible to have a stroke in your eye only. This is called a retinal stroke, or retinal artery occlusion, and it happens when blood vessels in your retina are clogged with plaque. You’re more likely to get a retinal stroke if you have high blood pressure or carotid artery disease. Any kind of stroke is serious and calls for immediate care, so call 911 if you suddenly go blind in one or both eyes.

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Korin Miller
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more.

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how it manifests itself, causes, symptoms and prevention

Primary glaucoma is a progressive disease of both eyes, characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and the development of glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy, ultimately leading to irreversible blindness. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and low vision among other eye diseases worldwide. The danger of the problem lies in the absence of vivid symptoms, glaucoma is often called the “silent killer” of the optic nerve, even with maintaining good vision, a person may have the penultimate stage of glaucoma development.The figure shows how the peripheral field of view changes:

Normal field of view

Narrowed visual field, corresponds to stage II glaucoma

Narrow field of view, corresponds to stage III glaucoma,> 70% of the nerve fibers of the optic nerve have died

Diagnostics and treatment of glaucoma is one of the priorities in the work of our clinic.We carry out a comprehensive diagnostic examination, which includes 12 diagnostic tests and takes about 1.5 hours. The value of such a detailed examination lies in determining the type and stage of glaucoma, the degree of compensation of intraocular pressure, and determining the “target pressure”. Target pressure is the level of intraocular pressure at which further death of the nerve fibers of the optic nerve is suspended; this is the pressure to strive for when treating a patient with glaucoma.There is also an opportunity to conduct an examination – electrotonography, with the help of which it is possible to determine the ratio of the inflow and outflow of intraocular fluid. Electrotonography indices influence the choice of further treatment. Antihypertensive eye drops, laser or surgical treatment are prescribed for each patient individually.

Glaucoma is open-angle and closed-angle.

Open-angle glaucoma “does not hurt” and the patient will come to the doctor only when his vision is impaired.In this case, the treatment may no longer be effective.

Angle-closure glaucoma is accompanied by periodic pain in the eye, in the corresponding half of the head, manifested by an acute pain attack, in which the intraocular pressure will be significantly increased, and the visual acuity will be markedly reduced. If such an attack is not removed in time, the eye will go blind.

The goal of glaucoma treatment: to reduce intraocular pressure to a safe level for each individual patient, to prevent the development of optic nerve atrophy.

Cyrrus HD OCT Optical Tomograph

The indisputable advantage of the complex diagnostics of glaucoma in our Clinic is the study of the state of the optic nerve using the method of optical coherence tomography of the eye, which allows to determine the size, area, depth of glaucoma changes in the optic nerve, the thickness of nerve fibers, which is very valuable information for detecting glaucoma at an early stage. … This is a highly informative intravital layer-by-layer diagnosis of the optic nerve.

The photo shows the optic disc of a patient with glaucoma. A deep “pit” is visible – the excavation of the optic nerve head, which occurs as a result of pushing and death of nerve fibers from too high intraocular pressure

It is important to remember the risk factors for glaucoma:

• over 40 years old;
• the presence of glaucoma in the next of kin;
• high or low blood pressure;
• myopia II-III degree;
• hyperopia;
• long-term use of steroid drugs.

Norm of intraocular pressure (IOP): it is considered to be a normal level of IOP with contact tonometry from 17 to 24 mm Hg. If we take into account the risk factors, then each person has his own “safe” IOP rate. With an increase in IOP beyond the safe level in the eye, irreversible changes in the fibers of the optic nerve occur, which lead to a narrowing of the visual field, and then to complete blindness.

Glaucoma is open-angle and closed-angle. Before understanding how glaucoma develops, it is necessary to understand how fluid circulates within the eye.

Fluid is produced within the eyeball by a structure called the ciliary body. The fluid passes through the pupil and leaves the eye through the eye’s drainage system – the trabecular meshwork. In healthy eyes, there is a balance between the fluid that is produced in the eyes and the fluid that flows out of the eye. As a result, normal pressure is established inside the eye. This pressure is called intraocular pressure, it is it that the doctor measures at the reception.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma.It runs latently, without any symptoms. Even a significant increase in the level of IOP can go unnoticed for a person, the eye does not hurt, but gradually fades. The reason for the increase in IOP is the clogging of the drainage system of the eye – the trabecular network through which the outflow of fluid from the eye is carried out. As a result, fluid cannot leave the eye at the same rate as it is produced. There is an accumulation of excess fluid, which leads to a rise in IOP. If no treatment is carried out, then in the future there is a loss of the peripheral, then the central field of vision, followed by atrophy of the optic nerve and blindness.

The figure shows a normal optic disc (left) and an advanced stage (right). Changes in the visual fields are shown in the upper part of the figure.

Angle-closure glaucoma is manifested by attacks, during which there is a sharp pain in the eye area, pain in the superciliary area and the temple area, accompanied by a sharp decrease in vision, the appearance of “fog”. With such complaints, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor for medication. Lack of timely assistance can lead to irreversible blindness! In angle-closure glaucoma, fluid accumulates inside the eye due to the fact that the iris overlaps the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye, that is, there is no access to the natural drainage system of the eye.Anything that can dilate the pupil, such as dim light, certain medications, and even pupil dilating eye drops that are used before eye examinations can cause the iris to block the circulation of intraocular fluid in some people. When this form of the disease occurs, the eyeball quickly hardens, and the sudden rise in pressure causes pain and blurred vision. It is with this form of the disease that an acute attack is possible – a sharp increase in pressure in the eye.Due to the fact that it is accompanied by nausea and a general worsening of the condition, it is often confused with other diseases and time wasted. And help in this case should be provided in the next day, otherwise blindness may occur.

Glaucoma Treatment Goal:

• Decrease intraocular pressure to a safe level.
• Preservation of visual functions, stabilization of the glaucoma process.

It must be remembered that the earlier glaucoma is detected, the higher the likelihood of maintaining good vision! Reducing IOP is achieved in three ways: medication, laser or surgical treatment.All three methods are carried out in our Clinic by highly qualified specialists using the latest equipment that meets modern standards for glaucoma treatment.

Also important is the maintenance of visual functions when the normal level of IOP is reached. For this, there are courses of anti-dystrophic vascular therapy, which are also carried out in our treatment room. Treatment takes an average of 10 days, consists of parabulbar (in the periorbital tissue), intravenous, intramuscular injections, electrical stimulation of the optic nerve.

90,000 Treatment of blepharitis in Krasnoyarsk – simple, chronic and seborrheic

The Clinic for Laser Eye Microsurgery is often treated with blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid margin that causes unpleasant symptoms. Our ophthalmologists diagnose and prescribe effective treatment for blepharitis in children and adults.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

Various causes of the disease:

• Parasites: 2 types of mites. One of them affects the eyelashes and lives in their follicles, the other prefers the sebaceous and meibomian glands.A parasite can get to a person through cosmetics, bed linen, and a towel.
• Bacteria, eg staphylococci.
• Viruses: HPV, molluscum contagiosum.
• Allergies, including to medicines.

Stress, decreased immunity, trauma, a sharp change in temperature, for example, returning from warm countries to a cold home, viral and bacterial infections – all this increases the risk of illness. Patient Complains:

• for itching,
• redness of eyes and eyelids,
• peeling of the eyelids,
• discomfort, dryness, foreign body sensation in the eye,
• lacrimation,
• photophobia,
• eyelash loss.

Eye blepharitis: diagnosis and treatment

Already on examination, the doctor can determine blepharitis, the typical clinical picture of which is:

• thickened, reddened edges of the eyelids,
• violation of the growth of eyelashes,
• clutches at the roots of eyelashes,
• meibomite,
• dandruff.

Usually, visual assessment and history are sufficient to initiate therapy. In rare cases, usually for the treatment of chronic blepharitis, additional tests are carried out:

• Demodex analysis,
• bacteriological culture of conjunctival smear,
• assessment of the functioning of the lacrimal gland,
• biopsy – if cancer is suspected.

Main stages of blepharitis treatment

Therapy certainly depends on the cause of the inflammation, but there are principles common to treat simple, seborrheic, or staphylococcal blepharitis.

Thorough eyelid hygiene

All manipulations are carried out at least twice a day:

• With the help of special products they clean the eyelid edges without affecting the skin.
• Warm compresses are applied to improve the release of the lacrimal glands.
• Treat the affected area with topical antibiotics – only as directed by an ophthalmologist.

Doctors advise to tune in to long-term treatment – up to 4 weeks. The old makeup should be thrown away, and the pillowcase and face towel will have to be changed every day.

Drug therapy

General systemic antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids are prescribed only in severe cases and complications. Do not ignore inflammation, because it not only spoils the appearance, but also threatens to deteriorate vision.The syndrome of “dry eye”, barley, chalazion, corneal damage is added to advanced blepharitis. Take care of your eyes and take care of yourself.

90,000 Eye pain – causes, examination and treatment by an ophthalmologist | Symptoms

Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) associated with contact lens wear
Signs: Usually both eyes are affected. Eye pain and gritty feeling, redness, watery eyes, and sensitivity to light. In patients who wear contact lenses for a long time.

Corneal scratch (abrasion) / Foreign object (foreign body)
Signs: Symptoms that begin after an eye injury that may go unnoticed in infants and young children. Pain on blinking and foreign body sensation in the affected eye. Redness, watery eyes, and usually sensitivity to light.

Corneal ulcer
Signs: Often a grayish patch on the cornea that later develops into an open, painful sore.Dull pain and foreign body sensation. Redness, watery eyes, and sensitivity to light. Often in patients who have had an eye injury or who have slept without removing their contact lenses.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (“rabbit eyes”)
Signs: Both eyes are usually affected. Eye pain and gritty feeling in the eye. Redness, watery eyes, and usually sensitivity to light. Often, swelling of the eyelids and swollen, painful lymph nodes in front of the ears. Rarely, temporary, severe blurred vision.

Keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus
Signs: Usually only one eye is affected. Symptoms start at first after an episode of conjunctivitis. Blisters on the eyelid, sometimes crusts. Then redness and lacrimation, pain, blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light.

Herpes zoster with eye involvement (shingles caused by the varicella-zoster virus that affects the face and eyes)
Signs: Usually only one eye is affected.First, a rash with blisters and / or crusts on one side of the face, around the eye, on the forehead, and sometimes on the tip of the nose. Then redness, lacrimation, usually increased sensitivity to light and swelling of the eyelid.

Welder’s keratitis
Signs: Usually only one eye is affected. Symptoms that begin to appear within hours of excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (such as with arc welding, tanning lamps, or bright sunlight reflecting off snow, particularly in high altitude environments). Eye pain and gritty feeling in the eye. Redness, watery eyes, and sensitivity to light.

Angle-closure glaucoma
Signs: Severe pain and redness of the eye. Headache, nausea, vomiting, and pain when exposed to light. Visual impairment such as halos around lights and / or blurred vision.

Anterior uveitis (inflammation of the space between the iris and the cornea)
Signs: Eye pain and sensitivity to light.Redness of the eye (especially around the cornea). Blurry or loss of vision. Often in people with autoimmune diseases or in people who have recently suffered an injury.

Endophthalmitis (infection of the inner part of the eye)
Signs: Usually only one eye is affected. Eye pain, severe redness, increased sensitivity to light, and severe loss of vision. Often in patients who have recently undergone surgery or eye trauma.

Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve)
Signs: Usually minor pain that may worsen with eye movement, partial or complete loss of vision.The eyelids and corneas are normal.

Orbital cellulitis (infection of tissues within the orbit)
Signs: Usually only one eye is affected. Bulging of the eye, redness of the eye, pain in the depth of the eye, and dull pain in and around the eye. Red and swollen eyelids. Inability to make full eye movements in all directions. Visual impairment or loss, fever, sometimes preceded by symptoms of sinusitis.

Orbital pseudotumor (benign accumulation of inflamed and fibrous tissue in the orbit)
Signs: Pain in and around the eye; can be very strong.Often protrusion of one eye, inability to move the eyes in full in all directions. Swelling around the eye.

Scleritis (inflammation of the sclera – white of the eye)
Signs: Very severe pain, often called boring pain, and increased sensitivity to light, watery eyes, red and purple spots on the white of the eye. Often in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Cluster headaches
Signs: In patients who have had episodes of severe headaches before.They are of a cluster nature, occur at the same time every day. cause severe stabbing, stabbing pain, runny nose and watery eyes.

Migraine headaches
Signs: In patients who have had episodes of severe headaches before.
May occur after temporary disturbances in sensation, disturbances in balance, coordination, speech or vision (the appearance of flickering lights or blind spots), which are called an aura. As a rule, they cause throbbing pain.They are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to sounds, light, or odors.
Sinusitis
Signs: Sometimes swelling around the eye; all other symptoms of eye diseases are absent. Yellow or greenish discharge from the nose (sometimes bloody), headache, pain in the eye or in the face, the intensity of which varies depending on the position of the head. Fever, facial soreness, sometimes productive cough at night, and bad breath.90,000 Causes of pain in the eyes

Eye pain can be a symptom of a serious medical condition

Eye pain is a symptom that can indicate both simple overwork and serious illness. Sometimes the pain goes away quickly, and sometimes it doesn’t go away for a long time. In any case, it is necessary to recognize the cause of the pain in time so that you can take action and avoid vision problems.

So, let’s look at the most common causes of eye pain:

1. Vision overvoltage .If you are in front of a monitor or driving a car for a long time, your eyes get a lot of stress. There may be a cutting pain, a burning sensation in the eyes. To avoid this, it is necessary to do exercises for the eyes. This will help relieve tension and tone the eye muscles.

How to do eye exercises read here

2. Incorrectly fitted lenses or glasses . In this case, cutting, burning and pressing pain in the eyes may occur.If you feel unpleasant sensations of this nature, contact your ophthalmologist to replace the correction means. This must be done immediately, otherwise you risk further impairing your vision.

3. General diseases . Pain in the eyes and head at the same time can occur with diseases of the flu, ARVI, VSD, neurosis, etc. In this case, the pain can be concentrated in the temples, in the forehead, eyebrows, and also be accompanied by nausea. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner to prescribe treatment.

4. Early stage barley . Inflammation of the skin of the eyelids causes pain in the eyes, and then leads to swelling of the eyelids and the appearance of swelling. The reasons for the appearance of barley on the eye: violation of hygiene rules, the use of someone else’s cosmetics, lack of vitamins, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, etc. There are many alternative treatments on the Internet, but not everyone may be right for you. Therefore, it is best to immediately contact a specialist.

Ait Ahmed Khaled, a leading ophthalmologist and head of the microsurgical department, told about why one should not self-medicate with the help of traditional medicine

5. Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. Most often, conjunctivitis appears in children due to the introduction of a bacterial and viral infection. The disease is accompanied by eye redness, discharge, and mild eye pain.Again, the Internet offers many alternative treatments, but it is best to see an ophthalmologist right away.

6. Chalazion (or hailstone) – the formation of a benign eyelid due to blockage of the lacrimal outflow. The disease is often confused with barley due to similar symptoms. With chalazion, swelling, redness of the eyelid also appears, and then a dense formation forms on it. This mass causes pain in the eye when blinking. Chalazion can be cured at home using drops and ointments as directed by your doctor.The operation to remove the chalazion can only be prescribed in extreme cases.

7. Eye muscle myositis . In this case, the person experiences unpleasant sensations in the depths of the orbit and intensifying pain when moving the eyeball. The disease is accompanied by limited mobility of the organs of vision and even complete absence. Usually, myositis manifests itself in one eye, people of young and middle age suffer from the disease. Treatment is carried out on a stationary basis with the use of physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, medications, etc.

8. Increased intraocular pressure . In most cases, a person feels pain inside the eye, sometimes a headache in the eye area. Increased intraocular pressure can be the cause of the development of glaucoma. In the absence of timely treatment, glaucoma can lead to irreversible blindness. Therefore, patients with increased intraocular pressure need to undergo an ophthalmological examination every 6 months.

Read more about glaucoma disease here

9. Cosmetic procedures .Often, clients of beauty salons experience pain in the eyes after eyelash extensions. The reason may be in the master’s non-compliance with sanitary standards, the presence of an inflammatory process at the initial stage in the client, and receiving microtraumas during the procedure. Most often, pain in the eyes after building up appears due to an allergy to glue evaporation. To avoid this, it is imperative to check the reaction to the glue before the procedure. To do this, you need to apply glue to a small area of ​​skin on your hand and wait about 30 minutes.If during this time there are no manifestations in the form of redness or burning, you can proceed to the procedure.

10. Foreign body . It can be a grain of sand, a small insect, shavings and other small objects. In this case, a person experiences cutting pain in the eye. If you cannot remove foreign matter with frequent blinking, you need to rinse your eyes with water and drip antibacterial eye drops.

In some cases, you can solve the problem of eye pain yourself.But it is best to contact an ophthalmologist in order to avoid the harmful effects of .

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90,000 Why eyes can hurt and how to fix it

If the eyes hurt and watery, there is little pleasant – but the reasons for these sensations may be completely incomprehensible, and this complicates the problem.It’s hard to get better when you don’t know why you got sick.

There are many reasons why you can suffer from pain in the eyes for a long time. Some are obvious right away, and some can only be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. What to look for and how to deal with unpleasant itching, swelling and redness – we will tell you in more detail.

Obvious reasons

Before deciding what to do if your eyes hurt, you need to establish why this pain occurred – and in some cases everything is clear at a glance:

• a foreign body has got into the eye, which greatly interferes and causes discomfort;
• You have worn the wrong contact lenses, making your eyes red and sore;
• The pain is caused by an injury, such as a bruise from a fall or impact
• you have worked at the computer for too long and constantly rubbed your eyes;
• you often spend time with a book but neglect reading glasses.

Sometimes one right or left eye can get sick – most often this is due to glasses, in which different lenses are inserted. One can be matched flawlessly, but with the second the doctor was mistaken – and the result is deplorable. In this case, you must immediately run to a specialist and ask to change glasses.

Diseases that cause severe eye pain

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory process that causes the eyes to feel gritty.They also turn red, discharge appears. If the eye is swollen and sore, chances are high that inflammation is to blame.

Mechanical damage to the cornea is a problem that is most often associated with the ingress of a foreign body. These are serious cases that can even result in the loss of an eye, so the pain cannot be ignored at all.

Spasm of the vessels of the head – a process that causes pressing pain in the forehead and eye sockets. If you are wondering why your eyes and head hurt at the same time, this is most likely the case.Cramping occurs due to overwork or changes in the weather.

Glaucoma is a disease, during the period of an acute attack of which the eyes begin to hurt. The rest of the time, pain is not at all a necessary symptom, but in the second half of the night, towards morning, it is worth preparing for the worst. Glaucoma is usually indicated by the appearance of iridescent circles around light sources when looking at them.

Increased intracranial pressure – occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain.Then there is either a dull bursting pain, or a feeling of heaviness in the eye sockets.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones without wasting time!

Eye pain when moving the eyeballs: causes and treatment

07/01/2020

The eyes are the only paired organ that enables a person to see the world around him. Being a complex structure, they perceive visual information and transmit it to the brain using special impulses.The eyeballs are spherical. They can move from side to side without problems, making it possible for a person to see not only what is in front of him. Healthy people usually do not experience any discomfort when moving their eyes. If, when trying to look to the right or to the left, a person begins to experience pain, this cannot be ignored. The thing is that this kind of pain can have a rather dangerous nature of origin. Only in some cases is it local in nature.Almost always, pain when moving the eyes indicates the presence of one or another ophthalmic pathology.

Causes of pain when moving eyes

One of the main causes of pain in the eyes is muscle overstrain. Most often, they occur during long-term work at the computer or concentration of eyes on a certain object. Getting rid of the pain in this case is quite simple. It is enough to let your eyes relax and rest.

Also soreness during eye movement can cause:

Conjunctivitis

Discomfort during movement of the eyeballs in people with this disease is always combined with other symptoms.These include redness of the mucous membranes of the sclera, a feeling of sand, sensitivity to light, and tearing. An infection, virus, allergy, injury can provoke the development of conjunctivitis.

Uveitis

This term refers to inflammation in the vessels of the eyes. In some cases, uveitis may manifest itself only as soreness during the movement of the eyeballs to the sides. Sometimes the symptoms are added to the intolerance of bright light, blurred vision, tearing. Without proper treatment, pathology can provoke a complete loss of vision.

Irit

Another pathology of an inflammatory nature, during which the iris of the eye suffers. In addition to soreness, there may also be swelling, blurred vision, redness of the sclera. The pain is quite strong, extending to the area of ​​the eyebrows and nose. Allergy and infection can provoke the development of iritis.

Xerophthalmia

This pathology develops due to insufficient production of tears. Most often it is diagnosed in elderly people.In their case, xerophthalmia is associated with the natural aging processes of the body. In young people, dry eyes can be associated with other pathologies or be a manifestation of vitamin deficiency, overexertion or eye fatigue. In addition to pain during the rotation of the eyeballs, xerophthalmia is manifested by burning and dryness, sensitivity to light, feelings of foreign objects in the orbit.

Neuritis

This pathology is accompanied not only by soreness when rotating the eyes, but also by a significant decrease in visual abilities.In patients with a similar diagnosis, blind spots appear in the field of vision, color perception deteriorates, and night blindness develops. In most cases, neuritis is of infectious origin. Its development may be associated with diseases of the ENT organs and teeth.

Glaucoma

The main manifestation of glaucoma is considered to be an increase in intraocular pressure. In the early stages of development, pathology is manifested by minor pain in the eye sockets, narrowing of the visual fields. As glaucoma progresses, symptoms can worsen – new ones are added to the existing ones.In especially advanced cases, increased intraocular pressure can provoke complete blindness.

Migraine

During migraine attacks, soreness in the eye sockets is often added to the headache. It has a pulsating character, it can spread to the area of ​​the temples and forehead. In time, an attack can last from several hours to several days.

Other reasons

In addition to the above factors, pain in the orbit during eye movement can be provoked by:

• ARVI;
• VSD;
• neoplasms;

90,049 infections;

90,049 caries;

• wearing contact lenses.

What should I do if my eyes hurt during rotation?

The first thing to do when such sensations arise is to give the organs of vision complete rest. Then you need to seek help from a doctor. The specialist will be able to establish the exact cause of the development of the pathology, prescribe the appropriate treatment.

So, if the pain was caused by infections or bacteria, antibiotics by mouth, antimicrobial drops and antiviral ointments will be prescribed topically.It is also appropriate to use antiseptics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, doctors are allowed to use traditional medicine.

In addition to conservative medicine, soreness during eye rotation can be overcome with the help of special Korean devices. So, one of the most effective devices for combating ophthalmological problems are massage-prophylactic glasses. With their help, you can eliminate painful symptoms, improve visual acuity.

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90,000 Scientists have found out how COVID-19 affects the eyes

https://ria.ru/20201209/glaza-1588374388.html

Scientists have found out how COVID-19 affects the eyes

Scientists have found out how COVID-19 affects on the eye – RIA Novosti, 09.12.2020

Scientists have found out how COVID-19 affects the eyes

British scientists have established a link between eye inflammation and coronavirus infection. They believe that eye pain should be recognized as one of the most significant … RIA Novosti, 09.12.2020

2020-12-09T12: 05

2020-12-09T12: 05

2020-12-09T12: 05

science

england

health

biology

covid-19 coronavirus

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MOSCOW, Dec 9 – RIA Novosti. British scientists have established a link between eye inflammation and coronavirus infection. They believe that eye pain should be recognized as one of the significant symptoms of early COVID-19. This is the first dedicated study on ocular manifestations in COVID-19. Published in the journal BMJ Open Ophthalmology, researchers at the University of England Ruskin (ARU) conducted a survey among patients with confirmed COVID-19 and compiled a list of early symptoms of the disease.83 survey participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their condition before and after the onset of illness. The most frequently reported symptoms of COVID-19 were: fatigue – 90 percent of respondents, fever – 76 percent, loss of smell and taste – 70 percent, and dry cough – 66 percent. At the same time, the majority of respondents – 81 percent – mentioned that they had eye problems in the early stages of COVID-19. Of these, 18 percent indicated photophobia or sensitivity to light, 17 percent indicated itching, and 16 percent indicated eye pain.Symptoms persisted for up to two weeks. None of the respondents noted mucous discharge or pain in the eyes – characteristic signs of bacterial infections. The authors note that, apparently, many infected do not pay attention to eye symptoms, considering them uncommon for COVID-19, or referred to as ordinary conjunctivitis. Do not focus on them, in the presence of other, more serious symptoms, and doctors when patients are admitted to the hospital. According to the researchers, conjunctivitis should be clearly distinguished from the symptoms of coronavirus infection, and eye pains should be recognized as significant symptoms of early manifestation of COVID-19.”This is the first study to investigate the different eye symptoms associated with COVID-19 and their timing compared to other diseases,” the study leader, Professor Shahina Pardhan, director of the Vision Research Institute, said in a university press release. eyes in ARU – It is important that eye pains are included in the list of symptoms of COVID-19, and the term “conjunctivitis” should be replaced to distinguish them from symptoms of other infections, such as bacterial infections, which appear as mucous secretions or “sand” in eyes. “The authors propose to call the eye symptoms in COVID-19 eye inflammation. The researchers note that the study of this manifestation is important because it indicates another possible route for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus to enter the body and allows you to better track its path of spread. At the beginning of the pandemic, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the eyes was not considered possible. There is now more and more evidence that the new coronavirus can also pass through the eyes. And therefore it is important to know how the conjunctiva – the ocular membrane – reacts to it, scientists say.

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England, health, biology, coronavirus covid-19

MOSCOW, December 9 – RIA Novosti. British scientists have established a link between eye inflammation and coronavirus infection. They believe that eye pain should be recognized as one of the significant symptoms of early COVID-19. This is the first dedicated study on ocular manifestations in COVID-19. The results are published in the BMJ Open Ophthalmology journal.

Researchers from the University of England Ruskin (ARU) conducted a survey among patients with confirmed COVID-19 and compiled a list of early symptoms of the disease.83 survey participants filled out a questionnaire in which they assessed their condition before and after the onset of the disease.

The most commonly reported symptoms of COVID-19 were fatigue 90 percent of those surveyed, fever 76 percent, loss of smell and taste 70 percent, and dry cough 66 percent.

At the same time, the majority of respondents – 81 percent – mentioned that they had eye problems in the early stages of COVID-19. Of these, 18 percent indicated photophobia or sensitivity to light, 17 percent indicated itching, and 16 percent indicated eye pain.Symptoms persisted for up to two weeks.

None of the respondents noted mucous discharge or pain in the eyes – characteristic signs of bacterial infections.

December 8, 2020, 18:27 Do not focus on them, in the presence of other, more serious symptoms, and doctors when patients are admitted to the hospital.

According to the researchers, conjunctivitis should be clearly distinguished from the symptoms of coronavirus infection, and eye pains should be recognized as significant symptoms of the early manifestation of COVID-19.

“This is the first study to investigate the different eye symptoms associated with COVID-19 and their timing compared to other diseases,” said study leader Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Research Institute, in a university press release. vision and eyes in ARU.“It is important that eye pain is included in the COVID-19 symptom list and that the term conjunctivitis should be replaced to distinguish it from other infections such as bacterial infections that appear as mucous secretions or sand in the eyes.”

The authors propose to call the eye symptoms in COVID-19 inflammation of the eyes.