Endless hours spent on PC, laptop or TV can really make our eyes tired and sore.
Sore eyes can affect people of all ages, genders and ethnicities.
Typically, this symptom is felt in the conjunctiva, but it can be felt in the eyeball as well. Eye pain can be caused by an infection such as conjunctivitis or “pink eye,” allergies or a foreign particle coming in contact with the eye’s surface. In addition to discomfort in the eyes, infections can cause swollen lymph nodes, runny nose or sore throat. Sneezing, coughing, or touching the
eye can spread the bacteria or virus causing an eye infection to others.
Causes
Sore eyes can be caused by a variety of things. In most cases they are caused by staring at a computer screen or book for too long. Your eyes may become sore after a long day at work or if you have been deprived of sleep. An incorrect eyeglass prescription may also lead to sore eyes. Additional causes may include:
- Airborne irritants such as chemicals, smoke, smog, animal dander, and pollen
- Contact lens wear
- Excessive rubbing of eyes
- Inflammation caused by allergens or infections
- Too much sun exposure
- Dry eyes or inadequate lubrication of eye surface
- Viral infections such as the common cold
- Blepharitis
- Pink eye
In some cases, sore eyes may be caused by a serious condition such as optic neuritis, uveitis, iritis, or orbital cellulitis. If sore eyes are occurring daily you should seek medical attention.
Symptoms
You will encounter many different symptoms if you are suffering from sore eyes. Symptoms generally peak within three or four days and last up to two weeks. These symptoms include:
- Redness of the eyes
- Discomfort
- Burning
- Gritty sensation
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Pain
- Difficulty opening eyes after sleeping
- Eyelids stuck together after sleeping
- Watery discharge
- Soreness
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Lymph glands are sore (lymph glands are your body’s defensive filter, they are located behind the ears)
Treatment
It’s important to see your eye specialist or doctor if you encounter eye pain, especially if the pain does not subside. While it’s unlikely your sore eyes will be a symptom of a very serious condition, it’s still a possibility, and you should get an expert diagnosis.
Treatments for sore eyes obviously depend on the cause, and can be as simple as using eye drops or compresses for dry eyes and allergies, to medication and surgery for more serious eye conditions.
Whatever the cause of your eye pain, the eye specialists can help you, with expert diagnosis and the most advanced treatments. Make an appointment today to discuss your sore eyes with one of our eye doctors.
Prevention
Keeping foreign particles including bacterial or viral matter out of the eyes is essential to avoiding eye pain. Wash your hands frequently and make a conscious effort to avoid touching the face when your hands are unwashed. Keep the hands away from the eyes as much as possible. Do not share items such as makeup, eyeglasses or facial towels with others, especially those showing signs of an eye infection. Any items that may have become exposed to infectious materials, such as counters, pillow cases or clothing, should be disinfected regularly to avoid spreading bacterial growths that can cause the eyes to be uncomfortable.
When the eyes are sore, avoid using cosmetics such as mascara that can further irritate the area. Throw away cosmetics that may have been exposed to infectious material and wash the brushes used to apply your makeup regularly. Avoid placing items such as eyedroppers in a position where they would come into direct contact with the eye and wash them after use to avoid contamination. Any medication such as an ointment that is prescribed for the area around the eye should be applied carefully so it does not come into contact with the eyeball.
Prognosis
In most cases sore eyes can be relieved with proper treatment of the underlying cause. Depending on the cause, it may be up to two weeks before you see any progress. For example, if your sore eyes are due to insufficient sleep, you may see relief within days if you begin getting a proper amount of shut-eye daily. But if your eye soreness is due to conjunctivitis, you may not get any relief until medication cures the infection, which usually takes a week or two.
