Eye Pain Can Be an Emergency
What are the causes of eye pain? Is it an emergency? Sometimes it is hard for you to know if you should seek urgent attention. You should seek urgent attention if you have had recent eye surgery or trauma to the eye. There are many causes of eye pain. Many eye diseases such as cataracts, most types of glaucoma and macular degeneration do not have pain. I will discuss some of the more common causes of eye pain.
Corneal Abrasion
A scratch on the cornea can be very painful. The cornea is one of the most sensitive tissues on the body. It may feel as if there is a foreign body in the eye. Your vision may or may not be blurry depending on where the abrasion is. If you think you have a corneal abrasion it is important to have an examination. Sometimes, Dr. Cindy Wang and I can control the pain with a bandage contact lens on the eye. You will also be prescribed an antibiotic drop. Call us at the Eye Surgery Institute for evaluation.
Foreign body
A foreign body in the eye can be very uncomfortable. Sometimes a foreign body can be underneath the upper lid or the lower lid and may be difficult to see. It may also be embedded in the cornea. If you think you have a foreign body make an appointment for an urgent eye evaluation. We offer same day appointments for eye pain.
Eyelid pain
Pain and swelling of the eyelid can often be caused by a stye (or hordeolum). You may feel tenderness and swelling of a portion of the eyelid. This is often treated with heat and either eye drops or ointment.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis may cause irritation, redness and discharge in either one or both eyes. This may be either bacterial or viral. An eye examination can determine what treatment is required.
Iritis
Iritis is when you have inflammation inside the eye. You will often feel a sore type pain and feel light sensitive. Iritis can be difficult to diagnose unless your doctor performs a slit lamp examination. It is treated with steroid eye drops that need to be tapered once you are feeling better. Iritis can sometimes be associated with other conditions inside your body so we may decide to order more tests such as blood work and a chest x ray.
If you are suffering from eye pain, call us at the Eye Surgery Institute for an urgent appointment. We offer same day appointments for any urgent eye conditions.
Alaina Kronenberg, M.D.
Cataract Specialist
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
