Eye pain is common but rarely a sign of a serious condition. Eye pain, called ophthalmalgia in the medical language, usually resolves without the need for treatment. Depending on where the pain is felt, eye pain is divided into two basic groups. Ocular pain felt on the surface of the eye; What is felt inside the eye is called orbital pain. The pain felt on the surface of the eye is usually itchy and burning. The cause of this type of pain; foreign body penetration, infection or trauma. In the treatment of ocular eye pain felt on the surface of the eye, eye drops and rest are usually sufficient. Orbital pain felt inside the eye; may be in the form of tingling, throbbing and stinging. This type of eye pain usually requires more intensive treatment.
What Causes Eye Pain?
Causes of ocular eye pain felt on the surface of the eye:
- Foreign Object: Eye pain The most common cause is foreign body intrusion into the eye. Objects such as eyelashes, dust, make-up come into contact with the eye and in some cases remain on the surface of the eye, causing a feeling of discomfort in the eye. In the eye affected by the foreign body; watering, redness or pain may occur.
- Conjunctivitis: Conjunctiva is the layer that covers the front layer of the eye and the inner layer of the eyelid. Inflammation in this layer due to allergy or infection is called conjunctivitis. It can also occur in infants due to the incomplete opening of the tear ducts. The pain caused by conjunctivitis is usually mild. In addition to pain, eye watering, itching and redness may occur.
- Cornea Wear: The cornea is the transparent layer surrounding the eye. Due to its location, the cornea is easily affected by external factors and is a vulnerable area. Substances such as dust, sand, metal parts, wood splinters; It can cause abrasions and scratches on the cornea. With corneal abrasion, a person may feel as if something is constantly in their eye. Corneal abrasion is a condition that requires treatment. If left untreated, it can cause infection and ulceration in the eye.
- Contact Lens Irritation: Contact lenses are being used by more and more people because of the ease of use they provide. However, the use of lenses does not comply with the hygiene rules. you need to take care. In cases where the lenses are not removed at night and cleaned properly with solution; eye infection or inflammation may occur. Situations where the lens irritates the eye may cause pain.
- Stye: Stye or blepharitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelid, can occur due to many different reasons. Eyelid pain is a symptom of a stye. And also; It can cause burning and watering in the eyes, itching and sticking on the eyelids, and flaking on the skin around the eyes. Stye symptoms usually become more pronounced in the morning.
- Injury: Burning may occur as a result of exposure to various chemicals and excessive light in the front layer of the eye. Severe eye pain can be seen in such injuries.
- Glaucoma: Conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, which is involved in the visual process, are grouped under the heading called glaucoma. The most common cause of optic nerve damage in glaucoma, which occurs for various reasons, is an abnormal increase in pressure inside the eye. People may not have any symptoms until their glaucoma has progressed to its final stages. Eye and headache can be observed together in people with symptoms. Advanced glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. That's why regular eye checkups are critical for glaucoma. It may be possible to slow down or stop the damage to the eye by catching the disease at an early stage.
- Optic Neuritis: The nerve that transmits the necessary information for vision from the eye to the brain; is the optic nerve. Swelling of the optic nerve as a result of inflammation (inflammation) causes optic neuritis. Autoimmune diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), in which the immune system attacks the body's own cells in an abnormal way, lead to the development of optic neuritis. In addition to autoimmune diseases, certain medications and infections can also cause this condition. Pain behind the eye is one of the symptoms of optic neuritis. Decreased visual field or color acuity, temporary or permanent loss of vision; These are the symptoms that can be seen in the case of optic neuritis.
- Iritis: As a result of inflammation of the colored iris tissue around the pupil, a condition called iritis occurs. Eye pain and redness, sensitivity to light and decrease in vision are symptoms that can be seen in the picture of iritis.
- Sinusitis: This condition, which occurs with the infection of the sinuses; It can cause sensitivity and pain in the eyes, nose, cheeks and forehead. Depending on the location of the infected sinus, sinusitis may reveal symptoms of pain in the right eye, pain in the left eye, or pain in both eyes.
- Migraine: Migraine is a neurological disease that causes symptoms in various organs. In addition to symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in speaking, and drowsiness, it can cause eye pain and sensitivity to light. may result in such situations. Eye pain can be very severe in such injuries.
How Does Eye Pain Go?
Treatment of eye pain varies according to the condition causing the pain.
- There are simple applications that can be done at home for the treatment of eye pain. Resting the eyes is beneficial in curing pain caused by many different causes. Limiting the use of eye-catching screens such as television, telephone, computer also helps the eyes to rest.
- People who use contact lenses extensively; Putting a warm and moist towel on the inflamed eye may be beneficial in the treatment of sty, which develops due to congestion and inflammation in the eyelash root or oil glands on the eyelid. . A warm and moist towel helps to open up the clogged oil glands, soothe the inflammation and help reduce eye pain.
- Antihistamine eye drops and antibiotic tablets are used in the treatment of diseases such as conjunctivitis and corneal abrasion that cause eye infections.
- Antihistamine (allergy-relieving) drugs are preferred in the treatment of pain caused by allergies in the eye.
- In the treatment of glaucoma patients, ar Eye drops containing various drugs can be applied to reduce intraocular pressure.
- In diseases with severe inflammation of the eye such as optic neuritis and iritis, anti-inflammatory steroid drugs can be prescribed.
Avoiding situations that may cause eye pain can prevent eye-related problems. Wearing protective glasses when in environments with objects and chemicals that may harm the eyes, preventing children from playing with toys with a high risk of harming the eyes, paying attention to lens hygiene; These are applications that will help protect eye health. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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