[Health Column] Eye Pain: How Do Stinging Pain and Deep Pain Differ? Causes and Precautions by Pain Pattern

 

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

 

When your eyes hurt as if they are being stabbed, or when the inside of your eyes feels heavy and hot, most of the time Symptoms caused by fatigue It is easy to think that way. In reality, there are cases where temporary pain occurs due to using smartphones or computers for a long time or when the eyes become dry.

 

However, eye pain is not just simple fatigue Inflammation of the cornea or conjunctiva, increased intraocular pressure, inflammation inside the eye, optic nerve disease It can occur due to various causes. Even with the same eye pain, the condition to suspect varies depending on where and how it occurs.

 

today Eye pain is divided into pain on the surface of the eye, pain deep inside the eye, and pain around the eye. I will summarize and explain what causes to consider for each case and when medical treatment is necessary.

 

1️⃣ How do the causes of eye pain vary depending on the location of the pain?

The suspected cause varies depending on whether the pain is felt on the surface of the eye, inside the eye, or in the center of the periphery.

 

Eye pain is The surface of the eye, the inside of the eye, or around the eye It refers to discomfort or pain occurring in the eye. Even with the same expression, "my eye hurts," the location and nature of the pain can vary.

 

While there is pain felt on the surface of the eye, such as a stinging or gritty sensation, there is also pain felt deep inside the eye or pain that extends to the surrounding areas and temples. Therefore, pain Where and in what manner Checking whether it appears first helps distinguish the cause.

 

 

2️⃣ What causes should I consider if my eyes feel dry and stinging?

The most common cause is dry eye syndrome, and inflammation on the surface of the eye, such as keratitis or conjunctivitis, can also cause pain.

 

Most commonly, the tear film becomes unstable dry eye syndrome As a result, the surface of the eye may be irritated, causing dryness, stinging, or a foreign body sensation like sand. Temporary pain may also occur due to eye fatigue and dryness, such as from looking at a screen for a long time or lack of sleep.

 

Keratitis or conjunctivitis In cases where inflammation occurs on the surface of the eye, pain may also occur along with redness, tearing, and a foreign body sensation.

 

If your eyes feel only slightly dry or tired, the symptoms may improve with sufficient rest and the appropriate use of artificial tears. If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them until the pain improves. It is good to do so.

 

3️⃣ What should I check if I experience pain deep inside my eye and severe sensitivity to light?

If you experience deep eye pain and severe photophobia, you should check for inflammation inside the eye, such as uveitis.

 

If you feel pain deep inside the eye or experience severe photophobia, unlike stinging on the surface of the eye Inflammation inside the eye, such as uveitis You need to check.

 

In particular, if accompanied by severe redness and photophobia, you must check for problems inside the eye or the optic nerve. Rather than dismissing it as mere discomfort on the surface of the eye and simply observing it, Depth of pain and whether or not there is glare It is recommended to look into this together.

 

4️⃣ Is pain around the eyes or extending to the temples also considered eye pain?

Pain around the eyes can also occur due to neurological disorders such as migraines and trigeminal neuralgia, or problems with the eye socket.

 

Like migraines or trigeminal neuralgia neurological disorders This can cause pain to extend to the area around the eyes or temples.

 

also Inflammation or structural problems in the orbit In such cases, a sensation of pressure or compression on the eye may occur. If pain persists while the area around the eye swells or the eyeball appears to bulge, it is necessary to check for inflammation or other structural problems within the orbit.

 

5️⃣ If any symptoms appear together, should I seek medical attention immediately?

If you experience sudden severe pain, decreased vision, symptoms such as seeing like a rainbow, or pain that worsens when moving your eyes, do not delay.

 

While not all eye pain indicates an emergency, caution is required depending on the symptoms accompanying the pain. If you suddenly experience severe pain in one eye accompanied by blurred vision, severe redness, or seeing lights spread out like a rainbow, Acute angle-closure glaucoma If you have a condition such as [mentioning a specific eye condition], and the pain significantly worsens when moving your eyes, along with decreased vision or colors appearing blurrier than usual, Optic neuritis You must check for conditions related to the optic nerve. If severe headaches, nausea, or vomiting occur together, it is advisable to seek emergency ophthalmological care without delay.

 

Rather than how long the symptoms lasted What changes appeared along with the pain It is important to determine the necessity of treatment based on [this].

 

6️⃣ Is it okay to use eye drops without knowing the cause?

Rather than arbitrarily using various eye drops, it is essential to first identify the cause of the pain through examination.

 

If you visit an ophthalmologist due to eye pain, after confirming when the pain started and whether it is in one or both eyes, a vision test and intraocular pressure test are performed, Slit lamp microscopy Through the back, you can check for abnormalities in the front part of the eye, such as the cornea, conjunctiva, and anterior chamber.

 

 

If necessary, fundus examination with pupil dilation, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual field testing may be performed to check the condition of the retina and optic nerve; if an internal orbital problem is suspected, imaging tests such as CT or MRI may be required.

 

As such, since the things to check vary depending on the location where the pain occurs, Avoid using various types of eye drops arbitrarily without accurately identifying the cause. This is good.

 

 

🗣️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. My eyes feel dry and stinging. Should I see an ophthalmologist?

A. If your eyes feel only slightly dry or tired, they may improve with sufficient rest and the appropriate use of artificial tears. However, if the pain suddenly worsens or gradually deteriorates over time, it is advisable not to delay seeking medical attention.

 

Q2. What should I check when I experience severe glare and pain inside my eyes?

A. If you experience pain deep inside the eye or severe photophobia, you should check for inflammation inside the eye, such as uveitis. If severe redness and photophobia occur together, it is advisable to undergo a medical examination to determine if there is a problem with the inside of the eye or the optic nerve.

 

Q3. What should I do if my eyes hurt while wearing contact lenses?

A. It is recommended to stop wearing contact lenses until the pain improves. If the pain recurs, worsens, or is accompanied by redness or sensitivity to light, you should consult an ophthalmologist to determine the exact cause.

 

Q4. Can I use the eye drops I have at home first?

A. It is advisable to avoid arbitrarily using various types of eye drops without accurately identifying the cause. While using appropriate artificial tears may be helpful for dryness, if pain that is different from usual persists, please consult a doctor to determine the cause.

 

🎯 Conclusion

Not all eye pain indicates a serious condition. If the pain is temporary due to eye strain and dryness, taking sufficient rest, reducing the time spent looking at screens from close range, and using appropriate artificial tears when experiencing dryness can be helpful.

 

However, if the pain recurs or gradually worsens, Vision loss or severe redness, photophobia, headache, vomiting, swelling around the eyes If back pain occurs along with it, do not dismiss it as simple fatigue; you must check the exact cause at an ophthalmologist's office.

 

Eye pain is more than the symptom itself What the cause is This is more important. If unusual pain persists, getting a medical checkup at the appropriate time to verify the condition of your eyes can help protect your vision.

 

 

 

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