Eye pain is a symptom that can result from many different causes. Factors causing eye pain may include infections, fatigue, increased eye pressure, and dry eye syndrome. Migraines or other health issues can also lead to eye pain. If left eye pain, right eye pain, and pain behind the eyes are experienced unilaterally and persistently, underlying diseases should be investigated.
What Causes Eye Pain?
Eye pain can occur for various reasons. It may result merely from eye strain or be a symptom of serious eye conditions. Factors causing eye pain include:
Eye Strain and Digital Screen Use
Prolonged exposure to digital screens can cause the eye muscles to tire due to constant focus attempts. Additionally, the frequency of blinking decreases during screen time. Normally, people blink about 15-20 times a minute; however, this number can drop to 7-8 while using a computer. Consequently, dryness, a stinging sensation, and pain may occur on the eye surface.
Dry Eyes and Allergies
Reduced production or deteriorated quality of tears leads to dry eye syndrome. Symptoms include dryness, burning, stinging, foreign body sensation, and pain. Particularly, air-conditioned environments, prolonged lens use, and insufficient fluid intake can exacerbate dry eyes.
Allergies are also common causes of eye pain. Exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust, and animal dander can cause itching, watering, redness, and accompanying pain in the eyes.
Infections
Infections developing in the eye tissues are significant causes of pain.
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Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the eye lining results in redness, burning, and pain.
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Stye: Small swellings resulting from inflammation of the oil glands in the eyelid, causing redness and pain.
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Keratitis: Inflammation of the corneal layer can lead to severe pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
Ocular Hypertension (Glaucoma)
When there is a sudden increase in intraocular pressure , symptoms such as severe eye pain, blurred vision, light flashes, and headaches may arise. This condition requires urgent treatment and poses a risk to eye health.
Migraines and Eye-Piercing Headaches
Among headache types, migraines and cluster headaches can manifest as pain spreading around the eye. During a migraine, a unilateral throbbing eye pain, light sensitivity, nausea, and visual disturbances may occur. Cluster headaches are shorter in duration but extremely severe; they often result in intense pain around one eye, along with redness and tearing in the eye.
Pain Behind the Eyes and Sinusitis Relation
Sinusitis is the inflammation of sinus cavities within the facial bones and can cause pressure and pain around the eyes. The pain felt behind the eyes intensifies when bending forward or making sudden movements. Eye pain related to sinusitis usually accompanies nasal congestion, headaches, fever, and fatigue.
What Causes Eye-Piercing Headaches?
Headaches felt in the eyes can be due to conditions such as migraines, cluster headaches, and sinusitis. Eye-piercing headaches can be felt in one or both eyes and sometimes be mistaken for eye diseases.
Migraine and Eye Pain
Migraine, is a severe headache that occurs in episodes and can last for hours or even days. A throbbing pain around one eye, sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision, and nausea may accompany migraines. Some individuals experience visual disturbances or light flashes known as auras before a migraine onset.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are a rare but intense type of headache. They are unilateral and often concentrate around the eye. Symptoms such as eye redness, tearing, eyelid swelling, and nasal discharge can accompany the pain.
Sinusitis and Referred Pain to the Eye
Sinusitis, which develops with the inflammation of sinus cavities, can create a sensation of pressure especially behind and around the eyes. Nasal congestion, increased pain when bending forward, and facial sensitivity are typical symptoms of sinusitis. This condition is often mistaken for eye pain because the pressure in the sinuses directly affects the area around the eyes.
What Causes Unilateral Eye Pain?
Unilateral eye pain may indicate various health issues. Causes for pain occurring in the right or left eye include migraines, eye infections, dry eye syndrome, eye pressure (glaucoma), sinusitis, trauma, and muscle fatigue.
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Left Eye Pain
Eye pain can result from various causes such as eye dryness, eye injuries, and migraines. Additionally, pressure or inflammation in the eye nerves can lead to pain.
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Right Eye Pain
Right eye pain is attributed to sinusitis, eye dryness, or infections. However, if accompanied by blurred vision and severe headaches, a specialist examination is necessary.
How to Relieve Eye Pain?
Eye pain can originate from various causes and be uncomfortable. Resting, giving your eyes a break, and taking regular pauses can help reduce eye pain. Using eye drops can also provide moisture and relief.
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Rest and screen breaks: Resting eyes at regular intervals helps reduce pain.
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Artificial tear drops: Can provide relief for pain related to eye dryness.
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Cold or warm compresses: Can support in cases of pain due to infection or fatigue.
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Doctor-prescribed medication: Antibiotic drops, glaucoma medications, or allergy treatments should be applied under expert supervision.
It is important to consult an eye diseases specialist for eye pain that does not improve on its own, progressively worsens, or is accompanied by loss of vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What diseases can pain behind the eyes indicate?
Pain behind the eyes can be due to sinusitis, ocular hypertension (glaucoma), and migraines. In rare cases, it may be a sign of serious conditions like tumors.
Could left eye pain be related to the heart or brain?
Yes. Sudden onset and unilateral eye pain can indicate vascular blockages or brain-related issues. Such situations require prompt medical evaluation.
What should be done at home for eye pain?
Avoid prolonged gazing at digital screens, rest the eyes, and use artificial tear drops. However, home treatment is not sufficient for severe and persistent pain.
What is the difference between eyes-piercing headache and migraine?
While migraines produce throbbing pain along with light sensitivity and nausea, cluster headaches are shorter, unilateral, and characterized by eye redness.