Stinging in the eye can occur quite frequently. The causes are varied and not always easy to name. Most often, the discomfort occurs when opening and closing the eyelids, but it can also be permanent.
What is stinging in the eye?
Stinging in the eye can have very numerous and completely different causes, which are not always immediately identifiable. Stinging in the eye refers to a common type of pain that is taken note of among numerous eye complaints. Accompanying the stinging in the eye, a chafing sensation or pressure discomfort can also be noticed by sufferers. Here, too, there is a variety of accompanying phenomena, which can then severely impair vision. Furthermore, they are perceived by the patients as very disturbing. All these complaints are listed under the term “eye stinging”. No other sensory organ is so impaired in its function by pain and discomfort as the eye.
Causes
Stinging in the eye can have very numerous and completely different causes, which cannot always be determined immediately. For the most part, those affected are diagnosed with anatomical injuries as well as inflammations or allergies. Stinging in the eye can have harmless causes that can be easily treated. An inflamed conjunctiva, which is called conjunctivitis, can be the cause of a stinging in the eye. Corneal inflammation or keratitis are also considered possible causes. Stinging in the eye can accompany the so-called cluster headache or also occur in migraine states. The cause of the complaints is not infrequently acute glaucoma. Also very dry eyes as well as painful and inflamed nerves trigger the stinging in the eye. A variety of eye diseases affecting the iris and iris cause similar complaints. Sometimes burns underlie the eye pain.
Diseases with this symptom
- Glaucoma
- Eye diseases
- Astigmatism
- Allergy
- Conjunctivitis
- Eye migraine
- Corneal inflammation
- Cluster headache
- Iritis
Diagnosis and course
The course of stinging in the eye is characterized by different accompanying symptoms. These can lead to redness and impaired vision. In this case, increased lacrimation often also occurs. Based on these symptoms, the ophthalmologist is able to draw a conclusion about the symptoms. To ensure the diagnosis, it is then necessary that the eyes are thoroughly examined. The eye pressure is measured and the back of the eye is inspected. Furthermore, allergy tests are performed. In order to inspect the fundus of the eye, the doctor uses an ophthalmoscope while piercing the eye. This traditional examination method is supported by modern medical equipment such as CT or magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the doctor examines both the individual sections of the eye, the pupil activity and the entire facial area in these complaints.
Complications
A wide variety of complications can occur with a stinging in the eye, as the reasons are equally versatile. As a rule, a stinging in the eye indicates a foreign body in the eye. The eye hurts and there is also a risk of inflammation. The foreign body must definitely be removed from the eye, otherwise the eye may be damaged in the long term. However, the said foreign body should be removed exclusively by a doctor, as the eye is a very sensitive organ. Self-attempts should be urgently refrained from at this point. Another complication that often occurs in connection with a sting in the eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. An infection can cause the formation of pus, which causes the eye to become stuck shut and vision to be severely impaired. If you do not seek medical treatment at this point, you are taking a great risk. Under certain circumstances, the inflammation can spread further and also permanently damage the conjunctiva. For this reason, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs should be resorted to. This is the only way to avoid serious complications at an early stage. Strict cleanliness and hygiene can also help to prevent complications such as inflammation and irritation from occurring in the first place.
When should you go to the doctor?
Stinging in the eye can occur due to many different causes, so a visit to the doctor may even be necessary. The most common cause of a stinging in the eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva or a stye. If an inflammation in the eye remains without any treatment by a doctor or medication, then there is a threat of serious consequences if not consequential damage. The inflammation can worsen considerably or pus can form. The pain increases and under certain circumstances a strong swelling of the eye can develop. However, if you consult a doctor at an early stage in the event of such a clinical picture, you can treat, alleviate and combat the above-mentioned complications at an early stage. By taking the appropriate medication, the inflammation is inhibited, so that a significant improvement already occurs after a few days. However, the cause of stinging in the eye can also be caused by a foreign body. In such a case, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. Self-attempts to remove the foreign body should be urgently refrained from. The human eye is a very sensitive organ in which considerable injuries can occur very quickly. Therefore, if a foreign body is found in the eye, a doctor should be consulted immediately. A doctor will safely remove the foreign body so that no serious damage occurs.
Treatment and therapy
To eliminate the discomfort of stinging in the eye as quickly as possible, there are several treatment options available to those affected. If the cause of the pain is a foreign body in the eye, which causes the unpleasant discomfort, this can be removed by the doctor. In most cases, local anesthesia is then applied. All superficial injuries of the eyes can also be removed surgically. Artificial wound closure is usually not necessary. In most cases, treatment with medication is aimed at alleviating pain and is used as an adjunct to therapy. If foreign bodies have been deposited in the deeper parts of the eye, treatment can be carried out with a laser device. The same applies to diseases or damages of the cornea, which can also trigger the stinging in the eye. After completion of the therapy, there is a rapid improvement for the affected person. Sometimes, very bright light can cause blinding of the eyes, which then also triggers this discomfort. In this case, patients are given an antibacterial ointment. In the case of inflammation in the eye, medication in the form of drops is also frequently used. To treat the pain caused by inflammation, drugs containing cortisone are also prescribed, among others.
Outlook and prognosis
Stinging in the eye usually indicates inflammation or a foreign body in the eye. If it is an inflammation of the eye, a stye or conjunctivitis may be a possibility. If an inflammation is responsible for the stinging in the eye, pus formation may also occur under certain circumstances. The eye is then often stuck together and a slider can form on the eye. The vision is thereby very strongly limited. If an inflammation remains without medical treatment, this can have serious consequences. In the worst case, there is even the threat of loss of vision. If the conjunctiva is also affected by inflammation, it can be permanently damaged. For this reason, a visit to the doctor should not be put off. If there is a foreign body in the eye, it should never be removed by the patient. This should only be done by an ophthalmologist. Do not try to remove it yourself, because the human eye is a very sensitive organ. A foreign body in the eye can cause severe redness on the white eyeball. After the foreign body is removed, the redness should subside within two to three days. A foreign body in the eye can also cause bacterial infections, which should also be treated with appropriate medications.
Prevention
Often, the discomfort of stinging in the eye is caused by various underlying diseases. Therefore, these should be eliminated before any treatment. Therefore, it is also of great importance that the eyes are protected from external injuries and from excessive exposure to light. Against too strong UV radiation protect appropriate sunglasses with built-in UV protection.Welding goggles can protect against dangerous flashes. They are also available in various designs and custom-made. Usually they are used in the professional environment and serve to protect workers in factories where electric welding equipment is used. Furthermore, it is advisable to protect the eyes from drafts. In dusty environments, protective goggles should definitely be worn. The so-called styes, which cause the patient to rub the eyes, should also be treated medically. Despite all measures, the complaints can not always be prevented completely, because their causes are too diverse.
This is what you can do yourself
Various causes are conceivable for stinging discomfort in the eye. In most cases, there is a foreign body in the eye. This can be loosened by wiping movements on the closed eyelid – from the outside to the inside. Small grains can also be removed with the help of eye drops to moisten the retina or clear water. If the foreign body is stuck or has already penetrated deeper, ophthalmologic treatment is necessary. If activities with flying sparks are carried out or work is carried out under dust formation, protective goggles should be worn. Eye dryness can also cause a stinging sensation in the eye. Caused by intense heat, too much sunlight or as a permanent accompanying symptom of another disease, eye dryness can be treated by regular moistening. The eye is very sensitive to strong sunlight. To protect the eyes, it is recommended to wear sunglasses in summer or during winter vacations in the mountains. It is important to ensure that the lenses have sufficient UV protection. In addition, you should avoid being in drafts. This irritates the surface of the eye and can promote an accompanying bacterial inflammation – for example conjunctivitis. In case of an existing infection of the eye, eye rinses support the usually necessary antibiotic treatment. Allergy sufferers should spend little time outdoors during pollen seasons. It is also advisable to install special filters in the car or vacuum cleaner.
