Have we ever wondered what would happen if our eyes weren’t healthy or if we lost our vision? To answer this question, it is important to know why eyes are important. Our eyes are the windows to the outside world; they are integral organs that allow us to see and experience the beauty of every moment to its fullest. They take in light from the world around us and send visual information to our brains. Another essential role our eyes play is keeping us away from danger, especially when our other senses are disabled. What’s more amazing is that our eyes can see about 200 degrees in all directions, including in front of us and to the sides (peripheral vision).
So, if we do not take proper care of our eyes, we may encounter some common uncomfortable issues like redness, eye strain, inflammation, etc. At times, even dazzling light, strains, and pollution can cause different allergic reactions to our sensory organs. Therefore, understanding what might cause pain in the eyes can help us avoid these uncomfortable situations and have healthy eyes for as long as possible.
Hence, without further ado, let’s dive into all the relevant questions one-by-one:
What is eye pain?
Sharp, painful, or throbbing eye pain are a few possible descriptions of eye pain. In this case, either one or both eyes may experience pain. Another way to express eye pain is to point out the location of the discomfort, such as the area behind the eye or maybe on the iris.
The most important thing that we need to understand is that eye pain is more severe than the minor irritability we get when an eyelash or a bit of dirt gets in our eye. This pain goes beyond the eyestrain we would have from looking at a computer all day. When that happens, our eyes will feel better when the lash or dirt is removed from them, when we close our eyes to relax them, or when we can use a cool compress.
Who is more prone to get eye pain?
Anyone can experience eye pain due to injuries, especially if they don’t wear protective eyewear while engaging in activities that endanger their eyes. If we wear contact lenses or have certain medical conditions, such as allergies or sinus problems, then we can be more prone to experiencing eye pain.
Where in the eye could we experience pain?
Almost any area of our eyes can experience pain, including:
- the eyelid.
- eye’s conjunctiva, a membrane that serves as protection.
- the white part of our eye, or sclera.
- The clear dome on our eye that aids in focus (also called the cornea).
- Our eye’s orbit, i.e., the space in our skull that houses it.
- Our healthcare professional can identify the problem better if we can describe where our eye hurts.
What are the most typical reasons why eyes hurt?
The cause of eye pain might vary widely. They may consist of:
- Infections: When we rub our hands together or come in contact with our eyes, we run the risk of spreading viruses, bacteria, or fungi from our hands to our eyes. Moreover, infections can also travel from parts of our body, such as the nose or sinuses, to the eyes.
- Contact lenses: Painful eyes can result from filthy or poorly fitting lenses. Eye issues can also result from wearing contact lenses overnight or for longer periods than recommended. We should wear only the contact lenses that our doctor has prescribed for us.
- Allergies: Our eyes may become irritated, itchy, and even painful if we are allergic to pollen, dust, or animals.
- Toxins: Exposure to the smoke of cigarettes, air pollution, chlorine in a swimming pool, and other dangerous substances can irritate our eyes.
- Inflammation: An immune system reaction called inflammation can result in eye swelling or color changes. In this case, our eyes may feel hurt, the white area of our eye may turn red, and we may become extremely light-sensitive.
- Increased eye pressure: High eye pressure can result from improper drainage of the fluid within the eye.
How are eye pains handled?
The method for treating eye pain relies on what is causing it. Some of the treatments are as follows:
- Home care
Allowing our eyes to rest is the best method to cure many of the disorders that cause eye pain. Our doctor might advise us to relax with our eyes covered for a day or longer because staring at a computer or television for extended periods can strain our eyes.
- Flushing
If a foreign object or chemical gets into our eye, washing the irritant out with water or a saline solution can be quite effective.
- Antibiotics
Infections of the eye that are causing pain, such as conjunctivitis and corneal abrasions, may also be treated with antibacterial drops and oral medications.
- Antihistamines
The discomfort brought on by allergies in the eyes can be reduced by using eye drops and oral medications.
- Glasses
If we frequently wear contact lenses, then wearing our glasses (instead of the contact lenses) will give our corneas some time to recuperate.
- Eye drops for the red eyes
We can also try some anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory eye drops like Divisa Herbal Eye Mantra Eye Drops, which act as an organic cleanser and help to remove dust particles from the eyes. Additionally, the eye drops also assist in improving vision, reducing eye strain and redness, refreshing the eyes, and giving them a soothing effect.
- Taking painkillers can help.
A painkiller may be prescribed by our doctor if the pain is severe and interferes with our daily activities while the underlying condition is being addressed.
Whatever the case, the pivotal point to remember is that our eyes are priceless and deserve all the love in the world. If we see that they are strained, we should make sure that we see an eye doctor, especially if we also experience headaches, nausea, or vomiting along with the strain. Let’s remember that our eyes are the amulets of our minds.