Mild eye pain is generally not serious. It's not uncommon to have a minor eye irritation or a foreign body lodged under an eyelid. However, some more acute eye pain symptoms should be looked into. Some of these may reveal a more serious condition that could lead to loss of visual acuity. Let's take a look at the most common types of eye pain. And when to consult an eye doctor about eye pain.
What is eye pain?
Eye pain is a term used widely to refer to both discomfort in the eye and acute pain. Eye pain can be unilateral (in one eye) or bilateral (in both eyes) and can also be located behind or around your eye.
In other words, eye pain can mean many things:
- The corner of your eye hurts when you blink
- Discomfort or pressure in the eye
- A needle-like pain in your eye
- Pain in the outer corner of the eye
- Etc.
In some cases, the cause of the pain is obvious. This is the case, for example, when you receive a blow to the eye or experience pain after eye surgery. But more often than not, it's difficult to know why one or both of your eyes are painful.
And since there are so many possibilities, let's closely examine the likely causes.
Eye pain due to trauma to the eye
Pain in the eye can be the result of trauma to the eye. This is why people who undergo eye surgery are closely monitored afterwards. However, there are many other types of eye trauma:
- Shock or contusion following a blow to the eye or eye emergency (caused by an elbow, ball, projectile, tool handle, etc.)
- Traumatic erosion of the cornea, accompanied by sharp pain, tearing and sensitivity to light
- Non-penetrating eye injuries caused by a foreign body entering the eye
- Ocular wounds with perforation
After ocular trauma, the appearance of pain is not systematic, but its absence does not mean the condition is benign. If you've had a shock to the eye, it's best to book an exam as soon as possible with your optometrist.
Eye pain affecting the optic nerve
Some eye conditions affect the optic nerve, causing discomfort and even pain. These conditions are also known as optic neuropathies, and the most common are:
- Glaucoma: is an eye disease associated with damage to the optic nerve
- Uveitis: inflammation of the uvea, which is comprised of the iris, ciliary body and choroid
- Optic neuritis: which is inflammation of the optic nerve.
Other pathologies affect the optic nerve. These may indicate multiple sclerosis and certain brain tumours.
Pain due to eye problems
Eye disorders that affect your visual acuity can cause discomfort or pain. If you suffer from nearsightedness, astigmatism or farsightedness, a recent prescription and suitable eyewear will help you regain visual comfort and avoid headaches.
Much rarer but also much more serious, retinal detachment can cause pain. This eye disorder is due to a pocket of liquid under the retina and is a medical emergency. If you have seen a flash of light or points of light without any light sources, go to the nearest hospital.
When should I consult a doctor about eye pain?
As you can see, not all eye pain is a sign of an emergency. Mild eye pain disappears within 24 to 48 hours. After that, it's time to consult an eye specialist.
Make an appointment as quickly as possible if the pain or redness is intense or you've received a blow to the eye. In addition, don't overlook certain warning signs and seek urgent medical attention if:
- You're vomiting
- You have a fever or chills
- Intense fatigue or muscle pain
- Halos form around light sources
- You see flashes of light or points of light
- Your eye can no longer move in all directions (right, left, up and down).
- Your visual acuity has deteriorated significantly
- Your eye seems to want to pop out of its socket (protrusion of the eyeball or exophthalmos)
