[Health Column] Pain Behind the Eye: Is It Just Fatigue? Conditions to Check and Signals Requiring Medical Consultation

 

Hello, I am Tae-hyung Lim, the Chief Director of Clear Seoul Ophthalmology. 😊

 

"I think my eyes hurt, but I don't know exactly where," or "The back of my eyes hurts heavily, as if something is pressing on them," and so on. Pain felt deep inside the eye There are people who are complaining.

 

Unlike pain that feels like a stinging sensation or a foreign body on the surface of the eye, pain occurring at the back of the eyeball or deep inside the eye involves not only the eyeball itself but also the surrounding tissues Orbit, muscles that move the eyeball, optic nerve It may occur due to problems with surrounding organizations such as...

 

It could be caused by eye strain resulting from using a smartphone or computer for a long time, but, If pain recurs or occurs along with changes in vision It is best not to dismiss it as mere fatigue.

 

today Why pain behind the eye occurs, what conditions need to be checked, and when medical attention is required I will summarize it for you.

 

1️⃣ Why does pain occur behind the eyeball?

It can be caused by eye fatigue or dryness, but it can also manifest as a problem with surrounding tissues such as the orbit, muscles, and nerves.

 

The eyeball orbit It is located within a space surrounded by bone, and surrounding it are various tissues such as muscles that move the eyeball, blood vessels, and nerves. Therefore, feeling pain behind the eye does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the eyeball itself.

 

A heavy, pulling sensation in the inner or back of the eyes may occur when the muscles that adjust focus remain tense from looking at close distances for extended periods, or when eye fatigue becomes severe due to dryness. In such cases, stiffness extending to the area between the eyebrows or temples may also occur, accompanied by a headache.

 

the other side If pain worsens when moving the eyes, or if the area around the eyes swells and feels hot, or if vision suddenly deteriorates You must identify causes different from simple eye strain.

 

Ultimately, even for the same 'pain behind the eye,' the necessary treatment varies depending on the cause, so not only the degree of pain Examining accompanying symptoms together This is important.

 

2️⃣ What conditions should be checked along with pain behind the eye?

Orbital inflammation, acute angle-closure glaucoma, optic neuritis, etc., can cause changes in vision along with pain behind the eye.

 

One of the conditions that can cause pain behind the eye is inflammation occurring in the orbit If inflammation or infection occurs in the orbital tissues, swelling around the eyes may occur, along with a sensation of heat or tenderness; in severe cases, eye movement may be restricted or vision may deteriorate. Therefore, if eye swelling and pain worsen rapidly, or if accompanied by fever or vision loss, prompt medical attention is required.

 

Also, a rapid increase in intraocular pressure Acute angle-closure glaucoma Severe pain inside the eye and headaches may also occur. In this case, vision may become blurred or rainbow-colored streaks may appear around lights, and in severe cases, it may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. On the other hand, since glaucoma may not have distinct pain or symptoms in the early stages, you should not assume that "if your eyes don't hurt, it isn't glaucoma."

 

In addition to this, inflammation of the optic nerve Optic neuritis Symptoms may include pain that worsens when moving the eyes, decreased vision, or colors appearing blurrier than usual.

 

 

3️⃣ In what cases should I see an ophthalmologist immediately?

If you experience decreased vision, pain that worsens when moving your eyes, swelling, fever, redness, and vomiting, do not delay seeking medical attention.

 

Just because the back of your eyes feel stiff does not mean you need emergency medical attention in every case. If the symptoms improve after getting enough rest and reducing the time spent looking at a screen from a close distance, it may be related to eye strain or dryness.

 

but If vision deteriorates or becomes blurry along with pain, if pain worsens when moving the eyes, or if the eyes appear swollen or bulging It is advisable not to postpone medical treatment.

 

In particular, if sudden severe eye pain occurs accompanied by redness, blurred vision, rainbow-colored vision, headache, or vomiting, it may indicate a rapid increase in intraocular pressure. Immediate ophthalmological care It is necessary. In addition, if swelling and severe pain around the eyes occur along with a high fever, or if there are abnormalities in eye movement, you must check for emergency conditions such as orbital infection.

 

Rather than judging the severity of the disease based solely on the intensity of the pain, Whether changes in vision occur together with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and fever It is important to check.

 

4️⃣ What tests does the hospital use to identify the cause?

After the medical history interview, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp, and fundus examinations are performed as standard, and OCT, visual field testing, and imaging tests are conducted as necessary.

 

If you visit an ophthalmologist due to pain behind the eye, the first step is to determine when the pain started, whether it affects one or both eyes, whether it worsens when moving the eyes, and if there are any changes in vision or field of vision.

 

since Visual acuity test, intraocular pressure test, slit-lamp microscopy, fundus examination The overall condition of the eyes can be checked through the back. If necessary, the condition of the retina and optic nerve may be examined using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), or a visual field test may be performed to check for any abnormalities in optic nerve function.

 

 

If inflammation or a mass inside the orbit, or abnormalities in surrounding tissues are suspected Orbital CT or MRI Imaging tests such as [mention specific ophthalmic abnormalities] may be necessary. Conversely, if no specific ophthalmic abnormalities are confirmed during the examination, non-ophthalmic causes such as tension headaches or migraines should also be considered.

 

Therefore, rather than simply concluding that pain behind the eye is caused by eye fatigue, The process of distinguishing the cause through tests tailored to the symptoms This is necessary.

 

 

🗣️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. The backs of my eyes feel stiff after looking at my smartphone for a long time. Will it get better if I rest?

A. If symptoms improve when you reduce screen time and take occasional breaks by looking at distant objects, it is often related to eye strain or dryness. However, if the pain recurs even after resting or if changes in vision occur, you need to consult an ophthalmologist.

 

Q2. If my eyes don't hurt, is it not glaucoma?

A. That is not the case. While acute angle-closure glaucoma causes severe pain, glaucoma often presents without distinct pain or symptoms in its early stages. Rather than judging solely by the presence or absence of pain, it is recommended to confirm the condition through regular intraocular pressure and fundus examinations.

 

Q3. What does it mean if the back of your eye hurts every time you move it?

A. Worsening pain when moving the eyes is a characteristic symptom that can occur in orbital inflammation or optic neuritis. If this is accompanied by symptoms such as decreased vision or blurred vision, it is advisable not to delay seeking medical attention.

 

Q4. If I have pain behind my eye and a headache together, should I go to an ophthalmologist or a neurologist?

A. If you experience eye-related symptoms such as decreased vision, redness, rainbow-colored vision, or swelling around the eyes, it is recommended to first have your intraocular pressure and eye condition checked at an ophthalmologist's office. If the eye examination reveals no specific abnormalities, other causes such as tension headaches or migraines will be considered.

 

🎯 Conclusion

Pain felt behind the eye can range from simple eye strain caused by prolonged use of smartphones or computers to conditions such as increased intraocular pressure, orbital diseases, and optic nerve disorders. Various causes It may occur as a result.

 

If your eyes get tired more easily than usual, it can be helpful to reduce the time spent looking at close screens and relieve eye strain by looking at distant objects from time to time. If dryness is also present, maintaining a suitable environment and using artificial tears as needed is also an option.

 

However, if the pain recurs or gradually worsens even after resting, If accompanied by decreased vision, changes in visual field, severe redness, or swelling around the eyes It is recommended to check the exact cause at an ophthalmologist's office rather than assuming it is just simple fatigue.

 

What is more important than the pain behind the eye itself is Identifying what disease the pain originated from And receiving medical care at the appropriate time can help protect your eye health.

 

 

 

📚 The medical content of this column was written based on medical information from the Korean Ophthalmological Society.