17796 Eye Pain

Overview

Eye pain is any ache, stinging, burning, or soreness in or around your eye. It can feel like a gritty speck of sand under the lid, a dull ache behind the eye, or a sharp pain when you blink or look at light. Most eye pain is caused by something minor, like dry eyes or a tiny infection, and gets better with simple care. But some causes are serious, so it is worth knowing the warning signs that mean you should get help quickly.

Yes. Eye pain and eye irritation are among the most common reasons people contact a pharmacist, family doctor, or eye care service. Dry eye alone affects millions of people around the world.

Anyone can get eye pain. It is more common in people who wear contact lenses, spend long hours looking at screens, work in dusty or windy places, have allergies, or have dry skin conditions. Older adults are more likely to have dry eye and certain pressure-related eye problems, and children often get eye pain from infections or tiny injuries during play.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A gritty or sandy feeling in the eye, as if something is stuck there
• Burning, stinging, or a dull ache in or behind the eye
• Redness, watering, or swollen eyelids
• Being bothered by bright light (light sensitivity)
• Pain when blinking or when the eye moves
• Blurred or slightly hazy vision that clears when you blink
• Sticky or crusty discharge, especially after sleep
• Itching, often with sneezing or a runny nose if allergies are the cause

Symptoms in children

• Rubbing the eye often, or crying and holding the eye
• Not wanting to open the eye, or keeping it closed
• Avoiding bright light or covering the eye
• Being fussy, clingy, or more tired than usual
• Pulling at the ear on the same side, or complaining of a headache
• A red or puffy eyelid, or a small lump on the eyelid
• A very young child may not be able to say where it hurts, so look for swelling, redness, or discharge

Symptoms in older adults

• Dry, scratchy eyes, which become more common with age
• A feeling of pressure or ache in the eye, which can be a sign of a pressure problem inside the eye
• Sudden eye pain with a headache over the temple, which needs urgent attention
• Eye pain after eye surgery such as cataract surgery
• Eye changes linked to diabetes or high blood pressure
• Eye strain from reading glasses that no longer fit well

Causes

Main causes

• Dry eye, when the eye does not make enough tears or the tears dry too fast
• Infection of the clear lining of the eye (conjunctivitis), often called red eye or pink eye
• A blocked or infected oil gland on the eyelid, such as a stye or chalazion
• Blepharitis, which is inflammation of the eyelid edges
• A scratch on the surface of the eye (corneal abrasion), often from a fingernail, dust, or a pet
• A small object such as grit, sand, or an eyelash under the eyelid
• Contact lens problems, including a lens that is too tight, dirty, or worn too long
• Allergies, such as hay fever
• Sinus infection or a cold, which can cause a dull ache behind the eye
• Migraine or cluster headache, which can cause pain around or behind one eye
• Eye strain from long periods of close work or screen use
• Inflammation inside the eye itself, such as uveitis or iritis
• A rise in pressure inside the eye, including a sudden attack of narrow-angle glaucoma, which is an emergency
• Injury, burns, or exposure to bright light such as welding arcs or sun lamps
• Shingles or other viral infections near the eye
• In older adults, inflammation of blood vessels in the scalp and head (giant cell arteritis), which needs urgent care

Risk factors

• Wearing contact lenses, especially sleeping in them or cleaning them poorly
• Spending many hours a day looking at screens or reading
• Being in dry, air-conditioned, heated, dusty, or windy places
• Having allergies, eczema, rosacea, or dry skin
• Getting older, as dry eye and pressure problems become more common
• Having diabetes or a weakened immune system
• Having an autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
• Previous eye injury or eye surgery
• Using some medicines that dry the eyes; ask your pharmacist or doctor whether yours could be a cause
• Not wearing protective goggles at work or when doing DIY
• Smoking, which irritates the eyes and makes dry eye worse

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have eye pain with a change in your vision
• Your eye is red, painful, and very sensitive to light
• You wear contact lenses and your eye is painful or red
• Something has gone into your eye and will not wash out
• You have had a knock or injury to the eye
• The pain has lasted more than a day or is getting worse
• You have a sticky discharge or the eyelid is badly swollen
• You have eye pain with a severe headache, fever, or feeling unwell

Book a routine appointment if:

• Your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or tired
• You get repeated styes or crusty eyelid edges
• Eye pain comes and goes with screen use or reading
• You have itchy, watery eyes during hay fever season
• Your vision seems to be changing slowly, or you are squinting more
• You have not had an eye test in the last two years
• You have a long-term health condition that can affect the eyes, such as diabetes

Diagnosis

A doctor, optometrist, or eye specialist will ask what the pain feels like, when it started, and what makes it better or worse. They will check how well you can see, look closely at your eye and eyelids, and may use special drops to get a clearer view. This is usually quick and not painful.

Tests that may be done

• A vision check, reading letters or symbols from a chart
• Looking at the eye with a bright light and a magnifier
• Slit lamp examination, where a special microscope and light are used to look at the front of the eye
• Fluorescein dye drops with a blue light, which show up scratches or damage on the eye surface
• A puff of air or a gentle touch test to measure the pressure inside the eye
• Checking the back of the eye with a light, sometimes after dilating (widening) the pupil with drops
• Swabs if an infection is suspected
• Blood tests if a condition such as inflammation of the blood vessels is suspected
• A referral to an eye clinic for more detailed tests if needed

What to expect at your appointment

The examination is usually quick and gentle. Some drops can blur your vision for a few hours and make bright light uncomfortable, so it helps to bring sunglasses or ask someone to drive you home. You should get an explanation of what was found and clear advice on what to do next. If you are not sure about anything, ask.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. Many everyday causes, such as dry eye, mild infection, or a small scratch, settle with simple home care and time. Others need specific treatment from a doctor or eye specialist. The main goal is to ease the pain, protect the eye, and prevent any lasting damage to your sight.

Self-care at home

• Rest your eyes: take regular breaks from screens, and close your eyes for a few minutes
• Use lubricating eye drops or ointment from a pharmacy if your eyes feel dry; ask your pharmacist which type suits you
• Try a cool compress for itching and swelling, or a warm compress for a stye or crusty eyelids
• Do not rub your eye, as this can make a scratch or infection worse
• Remove contact lenses until the eye feels completely better, and throw away the lens you were wearing
• If you get something in your eye, rinse gently with clean water or saline; do not use tweezers or cotton buds
• For a chemical splash, flush the eye with clean, cool water for at least 15 to 20 minutes and get help immediately
• Wear sunglasses if bright light is uncomfortable
• Keep the area clean, and wash your hands before and after touching your eye
• Avoid smoking and smoky rooms while your eyes heal

Medical treatments

If the cause is an infection, your doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointment that fight the germ, or for some viral infections simply advise letting it settle with home care. For inflammation, treatment may include medicated drops or, in some cases, tablets that calm the immune system. Dry eye is usually managed with artificial tears, lid care, and changes to your routine. Allergies may be helped by antihistamine drops or tablets. If the pressure inside the eye is too high, or there is inflammation inside the eye, you will usually be seen by an eye specialist who can offer the right treatment. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain any medicine, how to use it, and how long to continue it. Always finish the course as advised and ask if you are unsure.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only needed for some causes. Examples include removing a piece of metal or glass stuck in the eye, repairing an injury, treating a severe pressure problem in the eye, or replacing a clouded lens. Most people with eye pain never need an operation.

Living with this condition

Most people can carry on with normal life while their eyes heal. Give your eyes regular short breaks, keep your hands clean, and avoid rubbing them. If your vision is blurry from drops or from the problem itself, avoid driving until it is clear. Tell your employer or school if you need extra breaks from a screen. If you wear contact lenses, wait until your eye is fully comfortable and your doctor or optometrist says it is safe before wearing them again.

Lifestyle tips

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Use a humidifier or place a bowl of water near radiators if your home is dry
• Wear sunglasses outdoors and protective goggles for DIY, gardening, or sport
• Keep contact lenses and cases clean, and replace them as instructed
• Avoid smoke, strong fumes, and dusty places while your eyes are sore
• Get enough sleep, as tired eyes feel drier and more irritated
• Have regular eye tests, usually every two years unless advised otherwise

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that cures eye pain, but a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables supports general eye health. Oily fish, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables are often mentioned as helpful for eyes. Drinking enough water helps keep your whole body, including your eyes, well hydrated. Regular physical activity is good for blood flow and overall health, and it helps with stress. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar steady is especially important for your eyes.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Eye pain can be worrying, especially if it affects your vision or keeps coming back. It can make reading, driving, or working uncomfortable, and that can be frustrating or stressful. Feeling anxious about your eyes is very normal. Talking to your doctor about your concerns often helps, and so does sharing how you feel with someone you trust. If worry is affecting your sleep, mood, or daily life, please speak to a healthcare professional. If you ever feel you cannot cope, contact your local crisis support service or emergency services.

Prevention

Not all eye pain can be prevented, but many common causes can be reduced. Good contact lens hygiene, regular screen breaks, protective eyewear, and treating allergies and dry eye all make a real difference.

Screening programmes

Regular eye tests are the best way to catch problems early, even if your eyes feel fine. Most adults are advised to have one every two years, and more often if you have diabetes, glaucoma in the family, or another condition that affects the eyes. Eye tests are free or reduced in cost in some countries and for some groups, so ask your optometrist or local health service.

Complications

If left untreated

• A scratch or infection on the eye surface can become a longer-lasting sore and leave a scar
• Some infections can spread deeper into the eye and damage sight if not treated
• A rise in pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve, and this damage cannot be reversed
• Inflammation inside the eye can cause lasting changes to vision if left alone
• A foreign object left in the eye can cause infection or scarring
• Long-standing dry eye can make everyday tasks uncomfortable and affect your quality of life
• Rarely, an infection around the eye can spread to the eye socket, which is serious and needs urgent hospital care

Long-term outlook

For most people, eye pain settles quickly and vision returns to normal. Many causes are mild and respond well to simple care. Even when a cause is more serious, early treatment usually protects your sight. The most important thing is not to ignore warning signs, such as sudden vision change or pain after an injury, and to get checked if you are unsure. With the right care, the great majority of people do well.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.