EYE PAIN: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT
When and why does eye pain occur? In what cases should you go to the doctor, and which you can cope with the problem yourself?
The organs of vision are sensitive to external and internal influences: injuries, colds, migraines – all of this is reflected not only in general well-being but can also cause eye pain. Do not ignore this symptom; take care of your eyesight.
CAUSES OF PAIN
Eye pain can be caused by various reasons: from fatigue at the end of the day to serious ophthalmic diseases and pathologies of the body. Therefore, it is important to monitor your well-being, track the moments during which discomfort appears, note what preceded this, whether discomfort occurs for the first time or regularly, and if there are any other health problems.
PAIN FROM FATIGUE
The condition is usually caused by fatigue. Therefore, it appears after serious or prolonged visual exertion (working at a computer, reading a large number of documents, working in a poorly lit or dusty room, driving a car, etc.). When the eyeball moves, it starts to hurt.
Often the problem can be solved by giving yourself a break. Close your eyes for a few minutes – if, after resting, the pain does not go away, you should consult a doctor to find out the reasons for its occurrence.
INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATION
Pain in the eyeball occurs with inflammatory ophthalmic diseases, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis, and inflammatory diseases of other organs and systems.
The pain goes away if the disease that caused it is cured. Therefore, patients are advised to contact not only an ophthalmologist but also a therapist or other specialists, depending on the underlying disease.
EYE INJURY
Pain in the eyes can also occur due to foreign objects (chips, sand, insects), burns to the cornea with steam or household chemicals, and bruises on the eyeball. If we are talking about exposure to chemicals, the eye should be urgently rinsed with running water from the outer edge to the inner. You must immediately contact an ophthalmologist. The problem cannot be ignored; damage can cause the development of serious pathologies, up to the loss of vision.
DRY EYE SYNDROME
This syndrome is experienced by people who work at a computer or with documents in a dry, air-conditioned, or dusty environment. The eye may not hurt but turn red, start to water and itch.
With a problem, you should contact a medical specialist; he will select a treatment. Often the doctor prescribes drops, the composition close to the composition of natural tears.
DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASES
In the following situations, you should see a doctor:
- The cause of discomfort is unclear, or it is impossible to get rid of it. For example, a mote under the eyelid cannot be removed without special equipment and tools.
- The pain doesn’t go away. Do not endure; you must immediately contact a specialist.
- There were various vision problems. Veil, flies, black dots, stripes before the eyes, and blurred vision are good reasons to consult an ophthalmologist. If the eyelids began to itch strongly, blush, then make an appointment.
- You received an injury to the eye area, craniocerebral.
- Additional symptoms appeared. For example, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, bleeding under the eye’s conjunctiva, changes in the shape and size of the pupil, fever, and weakness.
INTERROGATION, INITIAL EXAMINATION
The ophthalmologist asks the patient about the nature of the pain, why, at what point it appeared, what provoked discomfort, whether the eyes can see water or itch if there are other complaints, and what kind of therapy was carried out. Next, an examination is carried out, which helps to find foreign objects, see redness, to swell, and determine the nature of discharge from the eyes. If necessary, it checks visual acuity and fields, measures intraocular pressure, and examines the pupil’s reaction to light, which will conclude the health of the patient’s eyes.
LABORATORY, HARDWARE DIAGNOSTIC METHODS
If a survey with an examination did not give results or if a deeper examination is necessary, the following are used: an examination of the fundus, cornea, lens, iris, membrane, ultrasound, bacteriological, cytological examination, radiography of the orbit.
STUDIES OF VARIOUS BODY SYSTEMS
If the cause is not ophthalmic pathology, the ophthalmologist gives a referral to other specialists. Depending on the indications, they may prescribe a study of the brain, respiratory organs, blood vessels, and more. Additional diagnostic methods include MRI, CT, ultrasound, etc.
TREATMENT OF DISEASES
Treatment methods can be medical, hardware, or surgical – the choice depends on the cause of the pathology. It is important to remove swelling or inflammation, if present, to normalize the acute condition of the patient. But the main thing is to eliminate the problem that caused discomfort.
MEDICAL THERAPY
Specialists can prescribe drops and other drugs for moisturizing, fighting infections, etc. These can be hormonal, antiviral, antibacterial, or antiallergic drugs.
HARDWARE TREATMENT
Massage, physiotherapy, reflexology, magnetic stimulation, and other techniques assist in relieving stress, restoring microcirculation, alleviating unpleasant symptoms of exhaustion, and accelerating tissue regeneration.
SURGERY
The need for surgery arises with injuries or glaucoma.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND MEANS
- Rest. If work is associated with constant tension and visual stress, take breaks, get distracted from documents, a computer monitor, exercise for the eyes, try to observe the work regime, and rest. So the eyes will itch less, feel watery, and hurt.
- Protect yourself from injury. Wear sunglasses and work glasses, and follow safety precautions.
- Organize your workspace. Provide adequate lighting, wear glasses with a spectral filter, install a humidifier, use hydrating drops, etc.
- Maintain health. Eat right, reduce bad habits, get at least 8 hours of sleep a night, and get regular check-ups.
CONSEQUENCES AND COMPLICATIONS
Pain cannot be ignored, and this symptom can signal eye diseases, which can lead to several consequences: the formation of a corneal leukoma, decreased visual acuity, the development of chronic diseases, problems with the nervous system, etc. Most complications can be prevented. The main thing is to take care of your health, not ignore discomfort, and consult a doctor promptly.
