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Eye Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Nearly everyone suffers from eye pain or sore eyes at some point in life. Eye pain may be something that resolves on its own. It also can be a sign of something more serious. WebMD helps sort out the different causes of eye pain, their symptoms, and treatments.

What Causes Eye Pain?

A feeling of discomfort or pain in the eye can be caused by a problem in the eye itself. It can also be caused by a problem involving any of the structures around the eye. The pain might stem from problems with any of the following:

Cornea -- the clear window in the front of the eye that does most of the focusing of incoming light
Sclera -- the white outside wall of the eye
Conjunctiva -- the ultrathin covering of the sclera and the inside lining of the eyelid
Iris -- the colored part of the eye, with the pupil in the middle
Orbit -- the bony cave in which the eye and eye muscles are located
Muscles of the eye (extraocular muscles) -- which rotate the eye
Nerves -- which carry visual information from the eyes to the brain
Eyelids -- which protect and continually spread moisture over the eyes

Eye problems can include:

Corneal abrasions. The cornea is the clear disc covering the colored part of the eye, known as the iris. The cornea is vulnerable to injuries from children's flying fingers, errant tree branches, or tennis balls. A scratch on the cornea is called an abrasion. It can be very painful. With antibiotic drops and close monitoring by your doctor, corneal abrasions generally resolve completely without future problems.
Corneal infections. The cornea can also become inflamed or infected, a condition called keratitis. Herpes zoster, or shingles, which is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, can involve the cornea. Contact lenses -- especially when worn overnight or without inadequate disinfection -- can be associated with a high incidence of corneal infection.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the ultrathin lining over the front of the eye and on the inner side of the eyelids. Allergies or infections (viral or bacterial) can cause conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye. Blood vessels in the conjunctiva become engorged, and the normally white part of the eye looks red. Other symptoms usually include itchiness and discharge.
Blepharitis occurs when there is inflammation or infection of the eyelid. Irritation and pain can result.
A sty or stye -- also known as hordeolum -- is an infection or inflammation of the eyelid margin that can come from the hair follicles of eyelashes or from oil glands. A sty is often painful and most often caused by infection. There is usually a very well localized very tender area on one eyelid.
Foreign bodies. Sometimes there really is something in the eye -- a bit of dirt, plant debris, or a fragment of a contact lens. Foreign bodies are usually just irritating, and tears or a water rinse clears them out. If not removed, foreign bodies can cause corneal abrasions.
Glaucoma is an eye condition that usually has no early symptoms. In some cases of glaucoma, though, pressure inside the eye rise suddenly. The condition is called acute angle closure glaucoma, and the symptoms include severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, and decreased vision. Acute angle closure glaucoma is an emergency and needs immediate treatment to prevent blindness.
Iritis or uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. Iritis is uncommon but can be due to trauma, infections, or autoimmune conditions. Symptoms include pain, red eye, and, often, decreased vision.
Optic neuritis. The nerve traveling from the back of the eyeball into the brain can become inflamed. Multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune conditions or infections are often to blame. Symptoms include loss of vision and sometimes pain.
Sinusitis can create pressure behind the eyes, causing eye pain on one or both sides.