Why You Can Trust CNET Eye Pain or Irritation: 10 Common Causes and How to Treat
Eye pain can be caused by a wide range of things, most of which are totally treatable. Here's what to know and when to see a doctor.
Eye pain is a common condition, and many people experience eye irritation from time to time. Symptoms range from minor itching to debilitating pain, and causes can be as simple as an eyelash in your eye or something far more serious.
Understanding the cause of your eye pain can help you treat it and, if necessary, seek medical attention. If the pain doesn't resolve with at-home treatment, gets worse or is accompanied by vision loss, it's important to contact your eye doctor immediately.
In many cases, eye pain isn't that severe and will resolve on its own. However, it's still helpful to understand the possible source of your irritation so you can know what to expect from treatment.
10 common causes of eye pain
Eye irritation or pain can take many forms, and there are myriad potential causes. Below, we'll explore 10 of the most common reasons for eye pain.
Infections
In many cases, eye pain and irritation can indicate viral, fungal or bacterial infection. According to Cleveland Clinic, conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is one of the most common eye infections and typically results from a virus or bacteria in the conjunctiva, a membrane that protects your eye. Red, burning and watery eyes are common, as well as thick discharge that may accumulate while you sleep. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious.
Other common eye conditions that can result from infection include blepharitis, which affects the eyelids, and keratitis, which affects the cornea. These conditions can be caused by minor irritants, oils or blocked ducts, but they can also arise due to more serious infections that can damage your eyes. If you experience lasting irritation and redness, sensitivity to light, or discharge from the eye, seek treatment right away.
Allergies
Allergic reactions can also cause your eyes to get irritated, swollen, itchy or sore. Allergies are extremely common, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and many people are allergic to common airborne particles such as pollen, dust or pet dander. If you tend to experience these symptoms at certain times of the year, you may be allergic to a particular type of pollen such as ragweed or tree pollen.
In some cases, allergic reactions can lead to allergic conjunctivitis, the AAFA reports. Over-the-counter eye drops or saline are often an effective first line of defense, though you may need prescription treatments from your doctor.
Contact lenses
Although contact lenses are generally safe, poor cleaning habits or improper contact use can cause eye irritation and even infection. Keratitis is especially common among contact lens wearers who fail to follow instructions, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
For instance, sleeping in your lenses or otherwise wearing them for longer periods than recommended can cause issues, as can improper storage or failure to clean the lenses. Bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses can also build up on the lenses and cause eye infections. Symptoms aside from eye pain may include blurry vision, redness and feeling like there's something in your eye.
Pollutants
Your eyes may react to various outdoor or indoor pollutants, from chlorine in a swimming pool to cigarette smoke to fumes from car engines. Symptoms may vary by the person and the type of pollutant -- irritation and inflammation are common, and conjunctivitis may happen as a result. Research shows that prolonged exposure to many of these pollutants can cause serious long-term eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
If you're regularly subjected to poor air quality, smoking indoors or poor indoor ventilation and experience eye irritation or pain, talk with your doctor about ways to protect your eyes.
Foreign bodies
Eyes are quite sensitive, and quick eyelid reflexes are designed to keep out foreign bodies. However, small irritants often find their way in, whether it be your eyelash or a dust particle. In many cases, you can blink these away or flush them with clean, warm water.
However, you should exercise caution if you do have a foreign object in your eye. Rubbing your eye can cause damage, and trying to remove sharper foreign bodies such as metal or wood chips can be dangerous. Never try to remove anything on your own if you can't get it out with simple rinsing.
Dry eye
Sometimes, eye irritation is simply a result of dry eyes. These are especially common in winter or when you spend a lot of time in front of a computer.
If you're bothered by itchy, burning or scratchy eyes, try a few home remedies for dry eyes. For instance, drinking plenty of water, running a humidifier and blinking regularly while you work are simple habits that can provide relief. Over-the-counter moisturizing drops can help as well. If these remedies don't work or you experience vision changes, consult your eye doctor.
Inflammation
Inflammation can occur in various parts of the eye, and it's often a sign of a more serious condition. Uveitis, for instance, is a general inflammation of the eye. Iritis is a type of uveitis that occurs in the iris, the colored portion of the eye around the pupil, and optic neuritis is an internal swelling of the optic nerve, which transmits signals to your brain. These conditions sometimes result from an eye injury, infection or inflammatory disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but also sometimes arise for no obvious reason.
Symptoms of inflammatory eye conditions may include swelling, redness, eye pain, blurred vision, eye floaters and light sensitivity. When untreated, these conditions can lead to vision loss or glaucoma, so it's important to seek treatment immediately. A doctor can prescribe treatment depending on the disease type.
Damage to the eye
Of course, damage to the tissue of the eye can cause eye irritation and pain. If something scratches your lens or cornea, it can be quite painful, and this can happen from something obvious like a tree branch or makeup brush or something smaller, like dust. Contact lenses can even cause abrasions when not cleaned properly. You may need antibiotic or lubricating eye drops to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.
Styes
Styes are red bumps, similar to pimples or boils, that form on the edge of your eyelid, according to the Mayo Clinic. They're usually painful but harmless. Styes are a result of minor bacterial infections, and they typically clear up on their own in a few days. You can relieve the pain and accelerate the healing process by holding a warm washcloth to your eyelid a few times a day.
Health conditions
If you can't pinpoint the cause of your eye pain, it could be due to an underlying health condition or another medical cause. Conditions like Lyme disease, measles, shingles or liver disease can all manifest in the eyes, and some severe forms of glaucoma can cause severe eye pain.
When eye irritation or pain is accompanied by other symptoms or there is no clear cause, you should reach out to your doctor.