Ophthalmology

Eye pain

definition

Eye pain is in technical jargon Ophthalmalgia called. The term eye pain includes all pain in the eye that is caused by the eye itself or by the area around the eye. A distinction is made between eye pain that occurs on the surface of the eye and eye pain that comes from the eye socket. Pain of any kind, including the eye, is a warning signal from the body. Therefore, these should be noticed and the causes should be eliminated if possible. Often the eye pain is harmless and no medical or drug treatment is required.

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Pain in and around the eye
Eye socket pain
Pain over the eye

Concomitant symptoms

Depending on the cause of the eye pain, accompanying symptoms may occur. For example, you can simultaneously Headache, blurred vision, watery, burning eyes, or dizziness occur. The accompanying symptoms can provide important information about the basic problem or disease. Used in addition to the eye and headache and blurred vision, the Seeing colored rings around bright light sources indicated, caution is advised. This is a Warning of a glaucoma attack! This is an emergency and needs to be dealt with immediately!

Dizziness and blurred vision
Eye flicker - is it dangerous?
Retinal detachment

Duration

In the case of eye pain, the duration depends on the cause. The cause of the eye pain should be found out and it should be eliminated. After that, the eye pain should go back relatively quickly, at the latest after a few days. If that doesn't work and the Pain lasts longer or return repeatedly or Accompanying complaints such as blurred vision or dizziness should occur Doctor for advice to be pulled. At serious eye pain should be one immediately Emergency doctor to be visited.

causes

The causes of eye pain are many. Visual disturbances like Myopia, farsightedness and presbyopia, as well as incorrectly adjusted visual aids such as Glasses and contact lenses can strain the eyes and cause eye pain.

In the Farsightedness seeing in the distance is still problem-free. However, it does Seeing nearby, for example when reading, trouble. Not only is it difficult to see something, it also strains the eyes. Therefore, without correction, the eyes can tire quickly and begin to burn and to pain. Often those affected complain at the same time a headache.

Nearsighted have against it Problems looking into the distance. Uncorrected myopia can then, for example when driving a car, strain the eyes and lead to eye pain. If a farsighted person becomes presbyopic, it is also difficult for him to see something clearly in the distance. Without a visual aid, the person affected could quickly get tired, sore eyes when reading and driving.

Also increased intraocular pressure can, but does not have to, lead to eye pain. Also can Inflammation of the eyelids or the surrounding skin Swelling, blisters, nodules, or misaligned eyelids. This inflammation can cause eye pain. In addition, even small ones can Injury or inflammation of the cornea cause severe eye pain. Inflammation of the optic nerve, the eye muscles, the middle skin of the eye, inside the eye or in the Dermis of the eye can also cause eye pain. Also Allergies, colds and the flu can cause eye pain. Also can Tumors cause eye pain in the eyes or the surrounding area.

Inflammation of the upper eyelid
Inflammation of the lower eyelid
Injuries to the eye
Inflammation of the iris
Bruised eyeball

diagnosis

To find out the causes of the eye pain, the doctor asks the person concerned. The eye is inspected from the outside. Then the eye is systematically examined according to the accompanying symptoms. If a foreign body is suspected in the eye, the doctor looks under the lower and upper eyelids. The Visual acuity, the Facial field and the Eye muscles and pupil motor skills are tested depending on the suspected diagnosis. Another can Fundoscopy Provide information. When using the slit lamp, the eye is literally scrutinized or viewed under the "magnifying glass". If you suspect one acute attack of glaucoma becomes urgent to one Palpation of the eyeballs devices. This means that the intraocular pressure is increased and the eyeball is hardened. If at Inflammation of the eyes certain Suspected pathogen these can be sent via smear to be examined. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, further examinations such as a Ultrasound examination, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging recommended.

What to do / alleviate

Often, eye pain can pass through simple exercises and Switching off the causative sources alleviate. This often helps with tired eyes own hand warmth: After rubbing both clean hands together, place them on the eyes for about a minute. Also can Eye drops with salt water content, artificial tears or medical eye drops reduce the discomfort. Pay attention to the ingredients. If possible, eye drops should not be used permanently.

Eye drops for dry eyes
Eye drops and eye ointments

Some sufferers with overexerted eyes feel a To roll one's eyes soothing. This should be done with your eyes closed, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. It is important to start slowly. It should be about 10-20 times carried out, at best regularly (1-4 times a day). It is important to do this exercise consciously and in a comfortable body position.

In addition, regularly pickled Breaks in sewing work (PC, read) Minimize eye pain. For some it is 20-20-20 rule helpful: Look into the distance for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Also for some are affected Relaxation exercises, as the PMR helpful: close your eyes as tightly as possible, hold for 10 seconds, then relax again. Raise your eyebrows and open your eyes as much as possible and hold this for 10 seconds, then relax. In addition, eye pain can often be reduced by using kept moist become. This can be done by to wink and a sufficient amount of water to drink, as well as one humidifiersucceed. Irritants, how Cigarette smoke, but also Animal hair or substances against which the person concerned allergic should be avoided if possible. In addition, if you have ametropia, wearing a customized glasses often relief.

How can I improve myopia?
Examination of visual acuity
Side effects of contact lenses

Home remedies

Work on overexerted eyes that cause eye pain warm dry or damp compresses often soothing. For dry compresses, for example, rape or uncooked rice is filled in a cloth bag or in a sock, which is knotted at the end and heated under supervision in the microwave. Visual aids such as glasses or contact lenses should be removed before the compress is applied. For damp compresses, cloths or washcloths can be moistened with warm water and heated. The compresses should be very warm to hot, but not exceed the burn and individual comfort limit.

Some people with eye pain feel compresses in the form of Tea bags with a complementary fragrance soothing. Black tea and green tea should be avoided here due to potentially irritating ingredients. Be recommended Herbal teasthat for example Chamomile, eyebright or marigold contain. Also can Dried herbs be used. Some sufferers with burning eyes report a relaxing and pain-relieving effect dry, cool lavender compresses on the eyes.

Eye pain when reading

With ametropia, incorrectly adjusted vision aids, as well as with normal sighted people, reading can lead to a Adjustment disorder of the eye, a so-called Accommodation spasm come. When looking close for hours, the Ciliary muscle of the eye permanently tense. This can lead to cramps. This will make the Eye nerves irritated and it can cause eye pain

Through screen and computer work

During screen and computer work we blink less, this causes the eyes to dry out faster. This can cause sore eyes. Can also be a incorrectly set height of the screen Posture that can cause neck pain and therefore eye pain. Next can a Screen flicker cause eye strain and thus eye pain. In addition, a light source coming from the side and the reflected light from the computer screen blind the eyes. This can lead to eye pain.

If possible, the light source should be behind you and ideally be equipped with a lampshade. Of the computer should be in 50-65 cm distance and at eye level be set up. A Blue light filter, as well as a Anti-flicker filter can reduce the flicker on the screen. Anti-reflective or anti-flicker glasses can also prevent eye pain when working with computers. In addition, you should make sure that the screen is clean, as dust and smudges increase the flicker and the eyes have to strain more.

Sensation of pressure in the eye

A feeling of pressure in or behind the eye can cause dry eyes or uncorrected visual defects, both at the Long, short, as well as the Presbyopia arise. This feeling of pressure can come from Overexertion result in the context of a Accommodation cramp. Can also be a Inflammation of the eye, often one Conjunctivitisto trigger a feeling of pressure. If the feeling of pressure increases when stooping, the cause may be a Sinus disease be justified.

foreign body under the eyelid or on the surface of the eye, as well Injuries to the eye mostly express themselves not as a feeling of pressure, but as sharp pain. Some people fear a tumor if they feel pressure in or behind the eye. But one Eye tumor power often no eye pain at first. Only when the tumor grows and the ultrasound examination shows clear protrusions do various complaints arise. Increased intraocular pressure is also not noticeable by a feeling of pressure. Unfortunately, the affected person often does not even notice the increased intraocular pressure for a long time. The Damage to the optic nerve is generally not noticeable for the person concerned. If the examination of the visual field reveals a clear problem, more than half of the nerve fibers of the optic nerve have usually already perished.

Eye pain with headache

Eye pain is often difficult to differentiate from headache. A general distinction is made between eye problems that cause headaches and headaches that cause eye discomfort. A headache emanating from the eye is usually accompanied by other complaints, such as visual disturbances. Eye conditions that can trigger headaches include an attack of glaucoma, ametropia or inflammatory eye diseases.

On the other hand, headaches that cause eye discomfort from migraines, butterfly lichen or Wegener's granulomatosis can arise.

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Eye pain and migraines

Eye pain can occur with various forms of migraines. If the eyes are also involved, the affected person complains of visual field defects with blurred vision. Some notice light, jagged lines.

The cluster headache, a special form of migraine, is accompanied by a real "eye migraine". Here you can see changes in the eyes and temples. An expansion of the conjunctival vessels becomes visible. The eyelid and the surrounding temporal region are often red and swollen. People often complain of tenderness and irritation in the area. In addition, the pupil on the affected side narrows and some people also complain of photophobia.

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Examination of the visual field
Pain in the temples

Eye pain with neck pain

Eye mobility and Neck mobility are interdependent. If the neck is poorly mobile, this causes poor mobility of the eyes and vice versa. As part of this, neck pain, eye pain can cause. The eyes, as so-called Telereceptors, ensure that our head involuntarily aligns itself in the direction in which we are looking at something. For example, if we look at something below (e.g. at a Computer monitor or television set too low), then we put our head with it tense neck muscles in the neck. In addition, a incorrectly adjusted car seat lead to a hunched back and consequently to tense neck muscles and ultimately neck and eye pain.

Eye pain with dizziness

Dizziness and eye pain can have various causes and various accompanying symptoms. If this combination occurs due to a migraine, it is also common temporary visual field loss. Neck tension can also cause dizziness and eye pain. However, there are usually no visual disturbances. Also can Visual defects or incorrectly adjusted glasses Cause dizziness and eye pain.

Eye pain with a cold

With a cold swell the nasal mucous membranes. Most are Main nasal and the Sinus affected. Due to the proximity to the eye socket, this can cause eye pain. Is the Sphenoid sinus affected, this can Pressure on the optic nerve trigger and consequently also lead to blurred vision. When affected Ethmoid or frontal sinus, can it to Pressure on the external muscles of the eye and besides eye pain too Double vision see coming.

Does it come to in the ethmoid or frontal sinus Lymph congestion or pus formation, can this swollen, sore eyelids cause. This can be the case with all affected sinuses Bending over increases a feeling of pressure in the eye. If a cold leads to visual disturbances such as blurred vision, double vision or swollen eyelids, you are advised to consult a doctor immediately. Bacteria and viruses can enter the brain through the paper-thin partition of the facial skull and cause a Hinflammation of the skin trigger. If there are no visual disturbances, the eye pain associated with a cold is usually harmless. Once the cold subsides, the eye pain will go away too.

Eye pain with the flu

A real flu is a viral infection caused by the flu viruses. The upper airway cells are often affected by the flu. These lead to inflammation of the nasopharynx. Since the nose is connected to the eye through the nasal passage, the flu viruses can enter the eye.

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For example, viral conjunctivitis of the eyes can occur as part of the flu. This is particularly contagious because the symptoms only appear after about 2 days, but the person concerned is already contagious. The viruses can be carried on by shaking hands, speaking or coughing, for example. Since the risk of infection is great, the viruses usually pass from the affected eye to the other eye. With viral conjunctivitis, the eyes are sore and watery. Usually the eyes are red, puffy and there is severe itching. The eyelids can be so swollen that they cannot be closed completely.

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On the inside of the eyelids you can often see dome-like protrusions. These are clusters of cells in the immune system's defense cells that fight against viral inflammation. Those affected often complain of an unpleasant foreign body sensation in the eye. The eye movements can also cause eye pain. Those affected often complain of an unpleasant foreign body sensation in the eye. The eye movements can also cause eye pain.

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Stye
How to treat a stye

Some sufferers complain of photophobia and strong sensitivity to glare. Especially in the morning the eyelashes and thus the eyes are stuck together with a watery and slimy secretion. Viral conjunctivitis is usually harmless and heals spontaneously. However, as soon as pus flows from the eye, a doctor should be consulted. Inflammation of the eye muscles with associated eye pain is also possible in the context of flu, but this rarely occurs.

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Red eyes for various causes
Red eyes which helps
Eye infection

Eye pain with fever

If under a Sinus infection the bacteria can get into the eye socket Periosteum in the wall of the eye socket ignite. This usually solves high fever, such as Eye pain in the inner corner of the eye and enormous headache in the forehead area out. Besides, it can Eyelid swollen be. But this rarely happens. Also the formation is one purulent abscess Possible, but seldom, between the frontal sinus and the eye capsule. When this happens, there is extreme eyelid swelling and eye pain. The eyeball bulges and is often difficult to move. As a result, those affected often complain of double vision. At Eye pain combined with fever and visual disturbances should see a doctor.

Eye pain from allergy

Eye pain can occur as part of an allergy. It can be a Conjunctivitis develop. Usually this manifests itself as bilateral burning, itchy pain. Additionally tears the eyes frequent and are reddened. Sometimes they are too Eyelids swollen. Those affected also often complain about one Photophobia.

Symptoms of an allergy
Rash on the corner of the eye
Red eyes the various causes

Stye

The Stye is a acute inflammation of the eyelid marginal glands. It comes to one Accumulation of pus under the eyelid skin. Kick it severe eye pain, swelling, and redness of the eyelid. A stye is perceived as very uncomfortable and at times very painful, but is usually harmless. It usually disappears after a few days. But since it is contagious pathogens acts on the skin, it is essential to ensure adequate hygiene, as otherwise the pathogens can enter the inside of the eyes. The eye should therefore never be touched by hand or be expressed! If the symptoms persist for more than a few days or if additional symptoms arise, a doctor should be consulted. Occurs Stye more common on, a doctor should also be consulted, as here the Suspected diabetes mellitus would have to be excluded.

Eye pain in light

Intense light in the form of UV radiation can cause eye pain. Strong sunlight, snow or that Welding without protective goggles can be a so-called Lightening trigger in the eye. Most of the time, these flashes cause severe eye pain and reddened eyes. The intense exposure to light on the cornea of the eye can minor injuries and cause a kind of sunburn on the eye. If you have the Cause avoids, these injuries subside quickly. But they can do that too Entry gate for bacteria and cause inflammation and ulcers in the eye. It is therefore advisable to always use one when exposed to strong light Protection / sunglasses to wear.

Prescription sunglasses
Sunglasses which suits me?
Injury to the eye from rays

Eye pain from stress

Mental stress can cause eye pain. Usually there are additional complaints such as trocky eyes and Eyelid cramps. In some cases, psychological stress can also lead to chronic eye problems.

tumor

Either benign, malignant Tumors, as well Pseudotumors of the eye can cause eye pain. The word "Eye tumor" means "eye swelling". Therefore, swelling of inflammatory eye tissue is called a pseudotumor. This will cause swelling Eye nerves compressed and that can cause eye pain. In principle, a tumor can develop anywhere in the eye. These are among the malignant tumors Eye melanoma in adults and the Retinoblastoma in Children.

Unilateral eye pain

Unilateral eye pain is common and mostly harmless. They can be triggered by the eye itself or by the environment, such as headaches such as migraines. In addition, acute sinus infection can cause unilateral eye pain. It is also possible, but less often, that polyps or tumors of the paranasal sinuses cause unilateral eye pain. In addition, unilateral injuries to the eye or foreign bodies under an eyelid or on the surface of the eye lead to stabbing unilateral eye pain.

Read more on the topic: Injuries to the eye

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis usually start unilaterally. Accordingly, the eye pain is also one-sided. Viral eye pain, in particular, spreads to the other side. Conjunctivitis triggered by an allergy, on the other hand, is characterized by mostly direct eye pain on both sides. In addition, eye muscle inflammation is often unilateral, with unilateral eye pain. Tumors can also lead to unilateral eye pain. The triggering eye pain caused by migraines is also usually one-sided. But a stroke can also cause unilateral eye pain.

Left / right eye pain

At a Eye muscle inflammation the outer eye muscles are affected. For example, if the right eye is affected, eye movements in the right side can be restricted and painful. Depending on which outer eye muscle is affected, eye movements to the left or right (or up and down) are restricted and painful. For example, if the right Medial rectus muscle is affected, can right eye hurts when moving eyes to the left. Is the right one Lateral rectus muscle affected, the right eye may hurt when moving the eyes to the right. If the responsible optic nerve to the respective eye muscle is inflamed, the same complaints occur with eye movements.

Blurred vision and eye pain can also Warning signs of a stroke be. This can result from a blockage, the bursting or tearing of a blood vessel, for example the carotid artery. If the wall is torn, there is a bruise on the vessel wall. This will block the blood flow and cause a stroke. For example, a wall tear in the left carotid artery causes eye discomfort on the left side. Headache, sore throat and eye pain occur suddenly, mostly in connection with a restricted eye mobility of the affected eye. Often the eye cannot be opened completely. The Eyelid drooping compared to the other eyelid. The pupil of the affected eye is mostly scaled down. If there are circulatory disorders, for example in the left visual center in the brain, then the right half of the body is affected and accordingly there is eye pain on the right. Most of them are here, however Visual field loss or double vision see and the like in the foreground. In both cases it should an ambulance immediately to be visited!

Stroke in the eye
Thrombosis in the eye
Eye muscle paralysis
Circulatory disorder of the eye

Eye pain behind the eye

Eye pain behind the eye usually manifests itself as permanent pain in the eye socket. Causes are common Inflammation of the eye socket, Bleeding behind the eyeball or a Lacrimal gland tumor. With this type of eye pain, a doctor should definitely be consulted.

Eye socket pain
Vitreous hemorrhage

Eye Pain - Can It Be A Sign Of MS?

As the most common early symptoms of the Multiple sclerosis count among other things visual disturbances. About 75% of people with multiple sclerosis suffer from visual disturbancesthat often with eye pain kick off. The visual disturbances usually result from one Inflammation of the optic nervewhich can cause eye pain. People often report seeing in one eye, as if through fog or a veil. Sometimes it is Color vision impaired. Moreover, it can too Visual field defects and Flashes of light come. Some sufferers also complain that they can suddenly no longer see small print. When the optic nerve inflammation has subsided, the symptoms usually go away. The cause of the visual impairment is one Eye muscle paralysis those affected complain of double vision.