Why my eyes hurt is the most common question we receive from our customers and this article explains everything about it.
Introduction:
We all know that experiencing eye discomfort can be extremely disruptive experience and cause big trouble in everyday tasks of our lives. Our eyes are extremely precious organs that we often take for granted. Eyes play a vital role in your daily life, so it's crucial to understand the various reasons why your eyes might hurt and seek appropriate remedies. In this comprehensive guide, we have explained common reasons why our eyes might hurt along with detailed explanations for each cause and offering remedies to alleviate the discomfort.
Common Reasons Behind Eye Pain:
Was searching for “Why do my eyes hurt?” We know Why! Below are the most common reasons for your hurting eyes:
Eyestrain
Also known as asthenopia, this condition is the most common reason for eye pain. Since we are surrounded by digital devices, our eyes get all worked up. This condition occurs when the eyes are overworked or fatigued due to prolonged activities in front of digital devices. This happens when people do their work for a very long time with intense visual focus, such as reading, using digital devices, or even driving for extended periods.
The most common symptoms include aching, sore eyes, dryness, blurred vision, headache, & increased sensitivity to light, all of which make your eyes look tired and red. To battle such conditions, one must adopt to adopt healthy visual habits including taking regular breaks during prolonged visual tasks and practicing the 20-20-20 rule. The 20-20-20 rule, which involves looking away from the screen every 20 minutes and focusing on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds, can help reduce eyestrain
We also recommend ensuring proper lighting conditions in your workplace and maintaining an appropriate distance from your digital screens. We also recommend addressing any underlying refractive errors through prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses can significantly reduce eyestrain symptoms.
Dry Eyes
Eye strain is very much correlated with dry eyes as both conditions can contribute to serious discomfort in the eyes. This condition occurs when our eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to insufficient lubrication & moisture on the surface of our eyes. Think of your eyes as a mechanical ball that is moving all the time. It will need lubrication otherwise it won't be easy for it to move in its designated area. Insufficient lubrication can result in a range of symptoms, including eye irritation, a gritty or sandy sensation, redness, burning or stinging, and increased sensitivity to light.
To fix this issue, use artificial tears which are produced to be sold as over-the-counter eye drops. These eye drops are designed to lubricate and moisturize the eyes and provide relief from dryness, leading to reduce eye strain. Also, engaging in regular blinking exercises, particularly during prolonged visual tasks, can help spread tears evenly and prevent dryness. We also recommend adding a humidifier in your working place, especially in dry or air-conditioned spaces. Also, taking regular breaks from intense visual tasks will allow the eyes to rest and rehydrate, reducing eye strain.
Pink Eye
Also termed conjunctivitis is an eye condition that is characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent layer covering the white part of the eye and the inner eyelids. This problem is caused by viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants that reside in that thin layer of your eye skin and can cause eye strain and eye pain. A person having this eye problem will experience a red, itchy, and irritated feeling. His eye pain is often present, accompanied by a gritty or foreign body sensation. And the more problematic issue is that blinking or eye movement can exacerbate the pain. This eye problem is the most common one which related to the question of why do my eyes hurt.
To reduce eye pain associated with this eye condition, several remedies can provide instant relief. We recommend warm compresses which are known to be a very effective approach, as they soothe pain and reduce inflammation. Also, applying a warm, damp cloth to the closed eyelid for a few minutes at a time can provide comfort. To avoid this condition, never touch your eyes with dirty hands.
Fungal infection
These infections are relatively rare but can cause significant discomfort and eye pain. This occurs when fungi, such as molds or yeasts, invade your eye's tissues. They can go deep inside the eye area including the cornea, conjunctiva, or surrounding structures, causing extreme discomfort and irritation. You may also encounter redness in your eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, discharge, and a feeling of foreign body sensation in the eye.
Scratched Cornea
Also known as a corneal abrasion, this condition can result in significant eye pain and discomfort which can affect your daily routine. It causes serious eye pain, which is often described as a sharp, stinging sensation. and occurs when the clear, protective outer layer of the cornea sustains damage or gets scratched. This condition requires serious medical attention and we advise you to visit a professional eye care individual as soon as possible.
Uveitis
Uveitis refers to the inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This condition can cause various symptoms, with eye pain and discomfort being common. The intensity of the eye pain experienced can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation.
Individuals may describe the pain as aching, throbbing, or sharp, and it is typically localized to the affected eye. Eye pain associated with uveitis may worsen with eye movement. Additional symptoms can include redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, floaters, and decreased visual acuity.
Dilating eye drops may also be used to relax the eye muscles and reduce pain. These drops help prevent complications like synechiae, which involve adhesions between the iris and other eye structures. Treating any underlying causes, such as infections or systemic conditions, is essential to effectively manage uveitis and its associated symptoms.
Final Words - How can we protect our eyes?
We tried to answer the most common reasons which related to the question we are asked most, why do my eyes hurt? We highly recommend practicing good eye hygiene which will solve most of the eye problems. These include avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes, ensuring proper hand hygiene by washing hands, regular breaks during prolonged visual tasks, such as using digital devices or reading, which is crucial.
Using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can provide relief from dryness and soothe irritated eyes. Adjusting the lighting conditions in your environment and ensuring proper ergonomics for your workspace can also help alleviate symptoms.
In the case of pink eye or conjunctivitis, it is important to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes to prevent the spreading of the infection. Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, avoiding sharing personal items like towels or pillowcases, and using separate towels and tissues for the affected eye, is crucial. Applying warm compresses to the closed eyelids can help reduce discomfort and promote healing.
