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Why Does My Eye Hurt When I Blink?
Having pain related to your eyes is always a frustrating experience. Being able to see and move your eyes typically is easy to take for granted, and we often don't think about our eye function much. But, when something is wrong, it's nearly impossible to stop thinking about it, nor should you ignore eye pain as it could indicate a health problem.
If your eye hurts when you blink, you'll want to know what is causing the problem and if it needs immediate medical attention. There are various reasons why you might have pain when blinking, so this guide will go over some of the most common causes. Read on to learn more about issues that lead to eye pain when blinking and what you can do to find relief.
The Importance Of Taking Eye Pain Seriously
Remember that the advice in this article isn't meant to replace one-on-one medical care. If you have eye pain, the best option is to contact Holly Springs Eye & Laser for help. With an office in Holly Springs, we provide eye care in Cary and the surrounding areas. Call us today for help with eye pain.
When To Get Emergency Treatment For Eye Pain
Before getting into the causes of why eyes hurt when blinking, it's important to note there are times when you should go to the emergency room. If you have extreme pain, problems seeing, abdominal pain, a halo around your vision, or struggles with closing your eye, it's a medical emergency, and you should seek emergency care.
Common Causes Of Eye Pain When Blinking
This list isn't comprehensive but goes over some of the main reasons you could have eye pain when you blink. Some of the causes include:
- Conjunctivitis from allergies: This is inflammation of the embrace that covers your eye. It's commonly caused by allergies or infections, so diagnosing the exact cause of conjunctivitis may require being seen by an ophthalmologist.
- Injury to the eye: Because eyes are sensitive, they can easily become scratched or impacted by debris. The injury doesn't have to come from trauma, as even small particles could get stuck in the eye socket and cause pain. An eye injury can range from moderate to severe.
- Pink eye conjunctivitis: While allergies often cause eye inflammation, an infection like pink eye can cause similar symptoms. But, unlike allergies, this kind of conjunctivitis is contagious.
- Blepharitis: This condition creates eyelid inflammation. It happens when oil glands in eyelash hair follicles get stopped up or clogged. Common symptoms include burning feelings and itchy eyelids.
- Stye: Similarly to blepharitis, a stye occurs when eyelash follicles get infected. Because it leads to swelling, a stye can also lead to painful eyelids.
- Dry eyes: Another possible reason why your eye hurts when you blink is dry eye syndrome. This condition impacts the production of tears and leads to dry, irritated eyes.
- Optic Neuritis: This condition causes inflammation in the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. Often, the inflammation and eye pain are due to an infection.
Some of the conditions listed above are more serious than others, so it's vital to see an
eye doctor to get your specific problem addressed promptly.
At-Home Treatments To Reduce Eye Pain When Blinking
If you have severe pain, seek medical help as quickly as possible. But, for minor pain, you can try to treat some of the symptoms at home until you can get an eye doctor appointment.
The three best options for do-it-yourself treatments are:
- Using saline to gently wash out your eye if there is something stuck that's leading to painful blinking. There are many saline or sterile water solutions options at most pharmacies and drugstores.
- Trying eye drops that don't require a prescription. These pain-relieving eye drops can reduce dryness and alleviate other symptoms.
- Placing a warm compress over the eye to lessen any pain or inflammation.
These three options are generally safe to try if the pain or other symptoms aren't too concerning. But, in many cases, other treatments from an ophthalmologist are necessary.
Possible Medical Treatments For Blinking Eye Pain
When you go to the eye doctor to diagnose eye pain, the ophthalmologist will work with you to diagnose the issue and figure out what is happening. At Holly Springs Eye & Laser, Dr. Khan will provide compassionate care to help you find relief from pain when blinking. Some possible treatment options include:
- Medications like antibiotics that fight infections
- Medicated eye drops to relieve pain or address other issues
- Allergy pills or painkillers
- Steroids to address inflammation or irritation
In some cases, a more severe problem could be causing the eye pain. In these situations, more testing and diagnostic tools will be used to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan.
Contact Us Today For Help With Eye Pain
If your eye hurts when you blink or if your eyes hurt in any other way, you don't have to keep living with these uncomfortable feelings. Pain around your eyes is frustrating at best and a severe problem at worst. It's best not to wait until the symptoms get more intense.
Instead, get caring, prompt medical attention in a comfortable, modern office. Dr. Khan and the entire team at Holly Springs Eye & Laser are here to treat the source of your eye pain so you can get back to your life without the pain. Give us a call to send a message to request an ophthalmology appointment near Raleigh.
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