Definition
Eye pain is called ophthalmalgia in the technical jargon. The term eye pain includes all pain of the eye, which is caused by the eye itself or by the environment of the eye. A distinction is made between eye pain occurring on the surface of the eye and eye pain originating in the eye socket.
Pain of any kind, including that of the eye, are warning signals from the body. Therefore they should be perceived and if possible the causes should be eliminated. Often the eye pain is harmless and does not require medical or drug treatment.
Associated symptoms
Depending on the cause of the eye pain, accompanying symptoms may occur. For example, headaches, impaired vision, watery, burning eyes or dizziness can occur simultaneously. The accompanying symptoms can give important clues about the basic problem or the underlying disease.
If, in addition to eye and headaches and blurred vision, the vision of colour rings around bright light sources is indicated, caution is required. This is a warning sign of a glaucoma attack! This is an emergency and must be treated immediately!
Duration
The duration of eye pain depends on the cause. The cause of the eye pain should be found out and it should be eliminated. After that, the eye pain should go down relatively quickly, at the latest after a few days. If this does not succeed and the pain lasts longer or returns repeatedly, or accompanying symptoms such as impaired vision or dizziness occur, a doctor should be consulted. In case of severe eye pain, an emergency doctor should be consulted immediately.
Causes
The causes of eye pain are manifold. Vision disorders such as short-, long-sightedness and presbyopia, as well as incorrectly adjusted visual aids such as glasses and contact lenses can overstrain the eyes and cause eye pain. In the case of long-sightedness, vision at a distance is still problem-free.
However, near vision makes it difficult to see at close range, whereas short-sighted people, for example, have problems looking into the distance. Uncorrected nearsightedness can then, for example when driving a car, strain the eyes and cause eye pain. If a long-sighted person becomes presbyopic, he or she will also have difficulty seeing clearly at a distance.
Without visual aids, the affected person could quickly become tired and painful eyes. Increased intraocular pressure can, but need not, lead to eye pain. In addition, inflammation of the eyelids or the surrounding skin can be accompanied by swelling, blisters, nodules or malposition of the eyelids.
These inflammations can cause eye pain. In addition, even minor injuries or inflammation of the cornea can cause severe eye pain. Inflammation of the optic nerve, the eye muscles, the central cornea, inside the eye or in the sclera of the eye can also cause eye pain. Allergies, colds and the flu can also cause eye pain. Tumours of the eyes or the surrounding area can also cause eye pain.
