Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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Pain and swelling of the right eye
Having pain in the eyes when not sleeping enough
Pain and swelling of the left eye
Pain at the back of my eyes
Surface of my eye hurts
I have pain in my right eye
My eyes hurt when I don't get enough sleep
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About the Symptom
Eye pain can be sharp, aching or throbbing pain that can affect one or both eyes. This can be due to an underlying condition and most commonly can be due to dry eyes. However, this may also be due more severe eye conditions and should be evaluated by an eye doctor. Pain with eye movement can be due to systemic causes.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Headache
Fever
Swelling of the affected area
Visual field defect
Recent weight loss
Numbness / sensory disorder
Photophobia
Possible Causes
Generally, Eye pain can be related to:
Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome is a rare condition characterized by severe headaches behind the eyes, decreased and painful eye movements typically in just one eye. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be related to inflammation in certain areas behind the eye.
Relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly damages and causes inflammation in cartilage tissue. Cartilage deterioration can affect any part of the body where cartilage is present, but the most commonly affected tissues include the cartilaginous parts of the nose, ear, airways, and joints.
This condition involves repetitive brief headaches that occur as episodes of severe pain (typically on one side of the head) associated with possible eye redness/tearing or runny nose. These episodes happen in bouts or "clusters" of several per day, potentially lasting for weeks or even months in a row. The pain can be disabling and greatly interfere with daily life.
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Eye pain may be related to these serious diseases:
Inflammation inside the eyeball, typically from infection. Quick medical treatment is necessary to avoid permanent blindness.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Do your eyes hurt?
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References
Kulenkamp J, McClelland CM, Lee MS. Eye pain in the white and quiet eye. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2020 Nov;31(6):483-488. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000702. PMID: 33009080.
https://journals.lww.com/co-ophthalmology/Abstract/2020/11000/Eye_pain_in_the_white_and_quiet_eye.6.aspx
Aguilera ZP, Chen PL. Eye Pain in Children. Pediatr Rev. 2016 Oct;37(10):418-425. doi: 10.1542/pir.2015-0096. PMID: 27694119.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/37/10/418/34916/Eye-Pain-in-Children?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Lee AG, Al-Zubidi N, Beaver HA, Brazis PW. An update on eye pain for the neurologist. Neurol Clin. 2014 May;32(2):489-505. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2013.11.007. Epub 2014 Feb 28. PMID: 24703541.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733861913001217?via%3Dihub
Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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