THE pain to eye It is a symptom that should not be underestimated, as it may come from a plethora of different causes. It may be simple and passing or may be a sign of serious, even emergency.
“Because the eyes are extremely sensitive organs, any change in feeling or vision requires special attention and evaluation by a specialist.
The pain can be manifested in different forms: as superficial burning or stinging, as deep or pressing pain, or may be related to the eye movement or located behind it. It may appear in one or both eyes, depending on the cause, “says Dimitra Portaliou Director of the Second Ophthalmology Clinic – an ophthalmologist – ophthalmologist at Metropolitan Hospital and continues by analyzing the causes that can cause pain in the eyes.
Frequent causes of eye pain
The most common and usually benign cause is the conjunctivitisinflammation of conjunctiva, which can be viral, bacterial or allergic. It is often accompanied by redness, irritation, secretions and tears, but without causing severe pain.
OR dry eye It is also very common, especially for those who work for hours in front of screens. It causes burning sensation, stinging or feeling foreign body.
The most serious condition is the keratitisthat is, the inflammation of the cornea, which can be caused by germs, injuries or inappropriate use of contact lenses. The pain is severe and is accompanied by photosensitivity, redness and reducing vision.
Even more urgent is the appearance glaucoma acidwith a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. It causes strong pain in the eye and around it, nausea, blurred vision and light auras around lights. The situation requires immediate treatment to avoid permanent vision loss.
OR iridocyclitis It is an inflammation of the iris or even the radial body, with symptoms such as blurred vision, photosensitivity, pain and intense redness. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.
Another important cause is optic neuritisinflammation of the optic nerve, which occurs with pain during eye movement, reduced vision and disorders in colors perception. It is associated with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
In some cases the pain behind the eye is associated with migraines or cumulative headaches. The pain is usually one -sided, and may be accompanied by nausea, photophobia or tear.
In addition, pain can be caused by injury or foreign body in the eye, such as dust or small objects, which cause immediate irritation, tear and severe discomfort.
The corneal ulcer It is also a major cause of pain, with possible origin from infection or trauma. It is characterized by severe pain, photosensitivity and blurred vision and requires immediate treatment.
Finally, local inflammation in the eyelid, such as judge or quarrythey cause localized pain and swelling, without directly affecting vision, but with an unpleasant feeling for the sufferer.
When should we visit a doctor
Some symptoms that accompany eye pain are alarming and require immediate examination by an ophthalmologist. These include the sudden loss or blurred vision, the pain intensified with eye movement, photosensitivity and redness, diplopia, nausea or vomiting, as well as any injury or history of autoimmune and neurological disorders.
The diagnosis is based on taking full history and clinical examination. The ophthalmologist can use specialized tools such as the slit lamp to overview eye structures, emphasis on intraocular pressure measurement, specific pigments for erosion detection, as well as imaging tests such as MRI or OCT.
Treatment is determined by the cause: Infections are treated with antibiotic or antiviral stumps, inflammation with anti -inflammatory or corticosteroids, while dry eye with artificial tears. Glaucoma requires immediate reduction in pressure, sometimes by surgical methods. Optical neuritis is treated with cortisone and further neurological investigation. Injuries and foreign bodies require specialized handling and antibiotic coverage.
Some simple habits can be protected from eye diseases and pain: proper hygiene in the use of contact lenses, frequent screens, the use of protective glasses where required, avoiding eye contact without clean hands and regular eye examination – especially in people with chronic disease.
“Eye pain is a message that should not be ignored. Whether it is a transient symptom or a serious condition, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and protect vision. When the pain is severe, it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, the expert’s advice is necessary, ”concludes Ms Portaliou.