{"id":20454,"date":"2022-01-15T18:48:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T18:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20454"},"modified":"2022-01-15T18:48:43","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T18:48:43","slug":"eye-pain-do-i-need-an-eye-exam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/eye-pain-do-i-need-an-eye-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Eye Pain: Do I Need an Eye Exam?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you feeling pain in your eye, but not sure what it is? It could be a sign of a serious eye problem<\/b>.<\/b><\/h2>\n

The eyes are generally a painless and quiet part of the body, allowing us to see the world around us, changing focus and moving in thousands of directions throughout the day.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing eye pain, it is vital to immediately contact your eye doctor to discover the cause and find the best treatment.<\/b><\/p>\n

Eye pain can be superficial or internal. Here are some of the most common reasons you may be feeling eye pain.<\/p>\n

Superficial eye pain<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pain on the surface of the eye is known as superficial eye pain. This usually occurs as a result of infection<\/a>, trauma or the presence of a foreign object, and is usually treated with eye drops<\/a> or similar solutions.<\/p>\n

Common causes of superficial pain include:<\/p>\n

1. Foreign object in the eye<\/b><\/h3>\n

The most common reason for eye pain is having a foreign object in your eye.<\/p>\n

Sand, dirt, eyelashes or makeup can often get into your eye, causing redness, itchiness, watery eyes and eye pain.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Often your eyes can flush out these irritants on their own with tears, but if this doesn\u2019t seem to be working, rinsing your eyes with water or artificial tears can help.<\/p>\n

Try not to rub your eyes to get these objects out, as you may accidentally scratch your eye.<\/p>\n

2. Blepharitis<\/b><\/h3>\n

Blepharitis<\/a> is an inflammation of the eyelids and occurs when the oil glands on the edges of your eyelids get clogged, causing irritation and swelling, which can result in eye pain.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available to help clear up blepharitis. Speak to your eye doctor for more information.<\/p>\n

3. Sty<\/b><\/h3>\n

A sty<\/a> occurs as a result of infection in the glands of the eyelids. This infection can create a painful bump or nodule on the eyelid and the area around the bump can be very tender or painful when touched.<\/p>\n

Depending on the location of the sty, and whether it\u2019s directly affecting your vision, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointment or may give you a steroid shot to reduce swelling. If it is very minor, they may also recommend simply letting it heal on its own.<\/p>\n

Note that while the eye doctor may choose to drain the sty in-office if it is not responding to the medication and affecting your vision, you should never try to do this yourself, as it may spread the infection or result in permanent scarring of the eyelids.<\/p>\n

4. Corneal injury or dry eyes<\/b><\/h3>\n

The cornea<\/a> is the very front, clear dome-shaped part of the eye.<\/p>\n

Untreated dry eyes<\/a> can eventually result in corneal damage or scarring \u2014 both can be the cause of severe eye pain.<\/p>\n

Injuries that occur to the cornea, such as scratches<\/a> from foreign objects in the eye and chemical burns can be very painful.<\/p>\n

While superficial corneal scratches may normally heal without medication, your eye doctor can still prescribe medicines to prevent infection and ease the pain of the scratch.<\/p>\n

Deeper corneal damage such as corneal ulcer<\/a> or other corneal conditions can cause severe eye pain, and require immediate medical attention<\/b>.<\/p>\n

For chemical burns, wash the eye out immediately with cold water and schedule an emergency appointment with your eye doctor or head to the nearest emergency room, to ensure that no long-term damage has been done.<\/p>\n

5. Contact lens irritation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Improper use or care of contact lenses<\/a> can result in irritation and eye pain.<\/p>\n

Proper care should always be taken not to over wear your contact lenses,<\/a> and to store and disinfect multi-wear lenses properly between each use. It is also important to replace contact lenses according to their monthly or daily schedule. Never wear contacts beyond their intended wearing time.<\/p>\n

Speak to your eye doctor if you have any questions about proper storage, cleaning or wearing of your contacts.<\/p>\n

6. Conjunctivitis<\/b><\/h3>\n

Also known as pink eye<\/a>, this is an infection of the part of the eye called the conjunctiva caused by either bacteria or virus.<\/a><\/p>\n

Lining the front of the eye and underside of the eyelid, this part of the eye can sometimes become inflamed as a result of allergies or infection.<\/p>\n

Conjunctivitis is usually painful, and causes the eye to become red and sore.<\/p>\n

A viral infection usually makes the eye water excessively, whilst a bacterial infection a yellowy discharge can appear from the eye.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/b>Eye Emergencies<\/a><\/p>\n

For more information about the causes of your eye pain and treatment, speak to your local eye doctor.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t

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