The eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. They are susceptible to infections caused by external agents and premature degeneration due to prolonged UV radiation exposure and even trauma caused by injury. Therefore, it is always important to be cognizant of any eye discomfort or recurrent symptoms that affect the eyes. Given the type of lifestyles most people have today, the high-stress and digital dependency can also cause eye strain and other problems in the long run. Routine check-ups and eye exams are essential and can help in identifying any prescription requirements or eye conditions before they worsen.
Eye pain is a common condition and there are various factors causing it. While it is not a cause for alarm immediately, you must pay close attention to any significant developments such as loss of vision, trauma, or burns. To identify eye pain causes, you must take due precautions by seeking out specialists’ opinions and having regular consultations with ophthalmologists. Treatments and corrective actions can mitigate most eye problems without the need for invasive surgeries. Hence, you must know the underlying cause of eye pain before arriving at a diagnosis. Let us look at the cause of eye pain and how one can prevent and treat the same.
Eye Pain
Ocular pain or eye pain can be categorized into two types which can help identify the cause of the same. Eye pain that is experienced on the surface, such as irritation, burning, or scratching is usually caused by any surface-level cause such as infections, trauma, or any external object/pathogen is present in the eye. The cause of eye pain on a surface level can be from the following:
- External objects in the eyes such as dirt, debris, make-up, or pathogens can lead to eye pain, irritation, redness, and watery eyes.
- Conjunctival infection or Conjunctivitis, where the tissue lining the eyelids get infected.
- Corneal abrasion, where the cornea may feel like an irritant is present in the eye.
- Blepharitis, or the infection of the oil glands within the eye.
- Injuries such as flash burns or chemical burns can cause significant eye damage and pain.
- Irritation from prolonged contact lens usage.
The cause of eye pain is orbital; however, it may require a more thorough diagnosis. It may feel like a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation which may necessitate immediate medical attention and treatment. The cause of eye pain that persists from deep within the orbit of the eye can be from any of the following:
- Glaucoma, where the condition causes intraocular pressure to rise within the eye. If the rise in pressure and pain is accompanied by a corresponding loss of vision, it requires emergency medical attention.
- Injury or trauma to the eye can cause significant eye pain.
- Optic Neuritis or the inflammation of the optic nerve can cause eye pain. This accompanied by loss of vision requires immediate medical attention.
- Sinusitis or the infection of the sinuses can build intraocular pressure as well, causing eye pain.
- Migraines (a side effect is eye pain).
- Iritis, although uncommon, the cause of eye pain is the inflammation of the iris.
How Can Eye Pain be treated?
As aforementioned, the cause of eye pain can vary. Since eyes require careful inspection and attention, they should be duly treated by eye care professionals after a correct diagnosis. There are some common ways to treat eye pain.
Home care, with due rest and avoiding any eye strain always helps. Warm compressing for people with Blepharitis also greatly helps in treating the infection. In case of irritation, you must flush out the eyes with water or a saline solution. In case of persisting infection or inflammation, you may be advised to treat the pain with antibiotics, antihistamines, eye drops, or corticosteroids. In serious cases, however, you might need to treat the eye pain with invasive surgery, as advised by your ophthalmologist.
Prevention
To hold eye pain at bay, there are some standard measures you can take to avoid the same. Protective eyewear can keep your eyes shielded from foreign irritants, especially for people who work outdoors or in places such as construction sites. You must also handle tools and chemicals with caution. Practicing good contact lens hygiene also goes a long way, since they are often the leading cause of eye pain or infections.
For more information, you must visit an ophthalmologist at trusted brands such as Titan Eyeplus. They will guide you in preventing and treating eye pain