Eye pain

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Pain in the eye (that is not due to injury) may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel as if there is a foreign body in the eye.

Ophthalmalgia; Pain - eye

A feeling of tiredness in the eyes or some discomfort after a long period of work (eye strain) are generally minor problems and do not really qualify as eye pain. This may be due to an improper prescription for glasses or a muscle imbalance.

Pain in the eye, while not a common complaint, can be an important symptom that should be evaluated and treated if pain does not improve. It is important to try to describe the pain as much as possible.

A wide variety of disorders can cause pain in or around the eye. In general, if the pain is persistent, severe, or associated with decreased vision, seek medical attention. Any severe pain or pain associated with vision loss should be considered an emergency and seen immediately by a doctor.

Some of the problems that can cause eye pain are:

• a problem in the eye itself (an infection, irritation, or injury such as a corneal abrasion)
• a migraine headache (severe pain behind the eye)
• sinus problems (pain either above or below the eye)
• contact lens complications
• eye surgery
• a stye (hordeolum) can create eye pain that increases as the stye grows
• conjunctivitis (pink eye) or any inflammation of the upper and lower lids
• pain in both eyes, particularly upon exposure to bright light (photophobia) (common with many viral infections such as the flu; will go away as the infection improves)
• glaucoma (a less-common type called narrow angle glaucoma can be very painful)
• burns

Review Date: 11/14/2005
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.