Eye pain

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Pain in the may be described as a burning, throbbing or stabbing sensation in or around the eye.[3] It can result from within the eye or from the structures around it. It can even be due to some other systemic problem or drugs used for other condition. Severe pain in the eye may be an alarming symptom to seek medical help. The goal of the primary care physician in case of eye pain will be to assess whether it is an emergency or benign condition. Pain can be due surface problems causing pain with every blink. It can even be due to the deep structures in the globe causing retrobulbar pain with movements of the eye.

Eye pain is caused by the inflammation of layers of eye. It is carried to the brain by different nerves of eye and face. Incresaed intra ocular pressure also causes pain in the eye.

There is no significant difference in occurrence of eye pain the population. It depends on the occurrence of different diseases in that population.

There are no specific risk factors for eye pain. Several conditions cause inflammation and infection of eye causing eye pain.

There are multiple conditions which lead to eye pain. It is commonly confused with other symptoms like headache, sinus pain. Common causes include: Blepharitis , Corneal abrasion, Conjunctivitis , Stye, Foreign bodies, Glaucoma , Uveitis, Optic neuritis and Sinusitis.

Progression of eye pain depends largely on the cause of the pain. Every cause has its own prognosis. The role of physician is to identify the cause and do the needful.

There are certain important clues that can be obtained from history of the patients. Enquiry of patient certain things will help in accaurate diagnosis and treatment.

There are number of features we will observe in a painful eye depending upon the cause. various tests are performed to evaluate eye pain.Physical examination is very important in evaluation of cause and determining the prognosis. Several tests including opthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, tonometry are done.

There are only few tests which help in prognosis of eye pain.

This is a non specific test for eye pain. It is done only if associated respiratory symptoms are present.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Eye pain is caused by the inflammation of layers of eye. It is carried to the brain by different nerves of eye and face. Incresaed intra ocular pressure also causes pain in the eye.

Pain in the eye is due to disturbance of its layer. Surface layers of the eye are very sensitive. Inflammations and infections of these layers cause severe pain. They cause pain with every blink. Surface layers are innervated by nerve endings which act as receptors for pain. With disturbance in these layers the nerve endings get irritated and pain is perceived by the individual. Inner layers can also be inflamed due to many causes like autoimmune conditions or any systemic inflammatory conditions which leads to profuse inflammation and severe pain.

In certain conditions there in increase in IOP(intraocular pressure) which presses over the optic nerve the light sensitive layer of the eye leading to pain. Certain drugs cause increase in pressure and result in eye pain. Inflammatory process inside the eye leads to increase in pressure causing pain.

Pain is mediated by the first branch of Vth nerve i.e. Ophthalmic branch, which carried pain sensation from cornea and uveal tract. Facial nerve carries pain sensation from surrounding structures of eye. Optic nerve is primarily related to compressive insults and inflammation of the nerve.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

There is no significant difference in occurrence of eye pain the population. It depends on the occurrence of different diseases in that population.

Conjunctivitis is one of the major causes of eye pain it greatly affects the demographics. Infectious conjunctivitis may be differing in distribution. In neonates they may pick up infectious agent from birth canal.sexual practices have to be considered in teenagers and sexually active groups.Male and female have equal resistance to infections. Certain professions like people working in school may pick up some infection. Viral causes can lead to epidemic in schools . military organizations.

Inflammations due to allergen can be noticed only during certain seasons and climates only.

Trauma to eye is a significant causative factor for eye pain^[1]. People wearing contact lenses are also at risk population.Inflammation of eyelids is seen in aged population.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

There are no specific risk factors for eye pain. Several conditions cause inflammation and infection of eye causing eye pain.

Most common cause of eye pain include inflammation of conjunctiva, cornea and uveal tract. Risk factors for these include:

• Allergen exposure
• Infections
• Use of contact lenses
• Warm, humid climate
• Use of corticosteroid eye drops
• Reduced immunity
• Eye injury
• Autoimmune conditions
• Hyperopia

Use of certain drugs causes increase in intraocular pressure keep at risk of eye pain.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

There are multiple conditions which lead to eye pain. It is commonly confused with other symptoms such as headache and sinus pain.

• Blepharitis
• Corneal abrasion
• Conjunctivitis
• Stye
• Foreign bodies
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis
• Optic neuritis
• Sinusitis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Progression of eye pain depends largely on the cause of the pain. Every cause has its own prognosis. The role of physician is to identify the cause and do the needful.

The most common causes are infection and inflammation of eye layers or surrounding structures. Infectious causes may be acute to sub acute in presentation. Viral infections may be self limiting and can cause super imposed bacterial infections. Bacterial infections need topical antibiotic therapy. Untreated infections may scar the tissue and cause ulceration.

Bacteria infection of cornea is most alarming cause of eye pain. It can cause total destruction of cornea in 2-3 days. Fungal infections are indolent and its prevalence varied from region to region.

• Eye lid thickening
• Corneal abrasion
• Corneal ulceration
• Corneal perforation
• Inflammation of uveal tract
• Visual loss

Prognosis largely depends on the type of infectious organism involved and its virulence. Immunocompetency of the individual also determines the recovery of the person.

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