What are the causes of eye pain? What are the treatments for eye pain? How to diagnose the source of eye pain? Find the answers to these questions and more.

Causes of Eye Pain

Eye pain can result from a wide range of causes, some of which require immediate medical care while others may only need eye drops or a quick in-office treatment. It’s essential to see an eye doctor as soon as you experience any pain in or around your eyes for early diagnosis and treatment.

1. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, which can cause them to appear red, swollen, or have a burning or sore sensation. Blepharitis can occur suddenly with dull pain and ocular irritation, often due to a Demodex mite infestation in the glands of the eyelids. Your eye doctor can determine the best treatments, which can often improve the eye pain within a few hours or days.

2. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear protective layer over the front of the eye. This can be caused by allergies or infections, both viral or bacterial, and leads to enlarged blood vessels that give the appearance of pink eye. Pink eye can also cause your eyes to feel itchy and produce a yellow-green, sticky discharge. Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious, so it’s important to see your eye doctor at the first signs of eye pain.

3. Corneal Abrasions

Corneal abrasions, or scratches on the eye’s cornea, are generally very painful. This can occur from sand or dust landing in your eye, or even an accidental scratch from a baby or pet. Your eye doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics along with lubricating eye drops. Most corneal abrasions clear up in a few days with no further complications, but always need close observation from your eye doctor to ensure the eye is healing correctly.

4. Corneal Infection (Keratitis)

A bacterial or viral infection can result in an irritated or diseased cornea. The most common cause of corneal infections is incorrect care of contact lenses, such as leaving contacts in overnight, using the wrong solutions, not cleaning hands or lenses properly, or wearing them past their disposal dates.

5. Foreign Bodies

A foreign object in your eye, such as a speck of dirt, can irritate it or even lead to severe eye pain. If you notice a foreign body in your eyes, rinse your eye with artificial tears or clear tap water. Failure to remove the foreign body can lead to a corneal abrasion. If you experience any eye pain, contact an eye doctor near you.

6. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases where fluid builds up in your eye, increasing the eye pressure and resulting in permanent damage to the optic nerve. If not treated, you can suffer extreme vision loss. A type of glaucoma known as acute angle-closure (ACG) glaucoma causes the pressure inside your eye to rise abruptly, resulting in severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, and worsening vision.

7. Iritis or Uveitis

Trauma, infections, or immune system disorders can cause inflammation inside your eye. Pain, red-eye, and blurred vision are common symptoms. Any pain that seems to come from inside the eye requires immediate medical attention.

8. Optic Neuritis

You may experience eye pain and vision loss if the optic nerve, which connects the back of the eyeball to the brain, becomes inflamed. An autoimmune disease or a bacterial or viral infection can cause optic neuritis.

9. Sinusitis

Sinusitis, an infection in one or more of your sinuses, can cause pressure to build up behind or below one or both of your eyes. Even though this is not an eye condition, if the pain seems to be from or adjacent to the eyes, see your eye doctor. They can refer you to an alternate medical practitioner if the issues are with your sinus and not the eyes.

10. Stye

A stye is a sensitive bump on the edge of your eyelid. When an oil gland, eyelash, or hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed, this occurs and requires medical attention as it can be very contagious. Your doctor may refer to it as a chalazion or hordeolum.

If you experience any eye pain, it’s important to contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose the cause and suggest the most effective treatment. Any sore eye requires attention from an eye doctor to determine the source of your pain and prescribe the appropriate treatment.