Your eye hurting whenever you blink can be a frustrating experience. Many conditions can cause this to happen, from styes and dry eye to corneal abrasions and conjunctivitis.
Some eye conditions that cause pain while blinking can be treated at home, but others may indicate a medical emergency. An accurate diagnosis is important, so don’t hesitate to book an eye exam with a professional optometrist who can diagnose and prescribe treatments. You deserve to see clearly and comfortably.
Possible Reasons for Pain While Blinking
There are many possible causes for pain while blinking. The following list contains examples of common causes, but it’s not exhaustive. We recommend seeing an optometrist for a professional diagnosis based on your individual symptoms.
Stye
A stye, also called an external hordeolum, often presents as a painful, red bump on the edge of the eyelid.
Styes happen when a gland in your eyelid gets clogged and infected. Styes can often be treated at home using warm compresses 3 to 4 times a day, for 15 minutes at a time. This should help the stye come to a head and release its fluid, but a larger stye may require an optometrist to lance it. An optometrist may also prescribe ointments to put on the stye.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Colloquially known as “pink eye,” conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a thin, clear membrane that lines the inner eyelid and covers the white part of the eye (sclera). Types of conjunctivitis include:
- Allergic conjunctivitis: Allergy triggers cause this type of conjunctivitis, and it’s not contagious. Triggers include pollen, pet dander, and dust.
- Infectious conjunctivitis: This type of conjunctivitis is contagious. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be spread through unwashed hands or contaminated makeup. Viral conjunctivitis is closely linked to the viruses that cause the common cold.
- Chemical conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis caused by chemical irritants is also not contagious, but depending on the substance, it can be a medical emergency. Irritants include chlorine from swimming pools and air pollution.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, eyelid swelling, burning sensations, itching, excessive watering, and discharge.
Dry Eye
Dry eye, also known as ocular surface disease, is a common condition that happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when your tears lack the right balance of materials.
Symptoms include scratchiness, redness, excessive watering, or the feeling that an object is lodged in your eye. It’s often a chronic condition, but it can be managed with lifestyle changes, eye drops, and other treatment methods. Treating dry eye is important because it can lead to complications down the road.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. Symptoms include red or dry eyes, sensitivity to light, and irritation. The eyelashes may also be crusty or fall off. There are 2 main types of blepharitis: anterior and posterior.
Blepharitis is a chronic condition and has no cure, but it can be managed with eyelid cleanses. Warm compresses and artificial tears can also help. Sometimes, an optometrist may prescribe an antibiotic or other medications.
Corneal Abrasion
Your cornea is located at the front of your eye. It’s a transparent, dome-shaped structure that protects the eye and allows light to pass through.
Corneal abrasion refers to scratching or injuring the cornea. You can flush out the affected eye with clean water or sterile saline, but you should never rub your eyes. You should also see a healthcare provider promptly. They can help flush out your eyes, after which they may prescribe an antibiotic. Corneal abrasions should improve within 24 hours, but professional treatment is important to avoid infections and complications.
How to Get Help
Many conditions can cause pain when you blink, and while some are minor and simple, others can be severe and complex. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis so you can pursue appropriate treatment. Don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam with a licensed optometrist if you experience pain while blinking.
You can also visit us for emergency eye care if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Your pupils are different sizes
- Your eyes don’t move together
- Double vision
- Bulging eyes
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Severe itching
- Severe pain in the eyes
- Sudden onset of a headache
- Discharge from the eye
- Redness
- Bleeding or bruising
- Any sudden change to your vision
If you experience these symptoms, contact us right away. If it’s outside our office hours, go to the nearest emergency room.
Eye Exams & More in London
Pain while blinking can be indicative of an acute or chronic condition. One way to be proactive about your eye health is to schedule regular eye exams. Eye exams aren’t just for keeping eyewear prescriptions up to date; they allow optometrists to screen for diseases that may not show obvious symptoms. This is your opportunity to discuss your vision concerns and symptoms with a professional.
White Oaks Optometry has served the London community since 1987. We strive to provide a personalized, comprehensive, and memorable experience to every patient who walks through our doors. We offer eye exams for children, adults, and people with diabetes. Book your next eye exam with us today.
