The most common reasons for pain in the eyes are various infections. Head colds are often associated with infectious symptoms of the conjunctiva. In this case, the eye feels irritated and the conjunctiva is reddish.
The conjunctiva is normally a transparent top layer membrane covering the eyeball. Its infections can also be caused by allergies or bacteria.
Bacterial infections usually begin with one eye and proceed to the other one. They are associated with eye discharge and redness. If a bacterial infection is not diagnosed, it will be sufficient to give the patient eye drops that shrink the mucous membranes. Local antibiotics are the treatment of choice in bacterial infections.
The eyelids also can often be infected. The sign for the infection of the rim of the eyelid is redness. Changes under the eyelid are more difficult to distinguish. Usually using an antibiotic eye gel will cure the symptoms.
As self-treatment, over-the-counter eye drops meant for reducing irritation can be used to treat infections of the mucous membrane. If there is a problem with eye dryness, there are many over-the-counter products meant for treating this symptom.
Irritated eyes can be bathed with a piece of cloth, dipped in warm water and placed over the eyes for 10 minutes three to four times a day.
Eye secretions from the eye and the eyelashes can be cleaned with a Q-tip dipped in plain water or very mild soapy water.
Discard old eye makeup because it functions as a basis for bacterial growth. It is advisable to replace all substances and objects that have been in contact with the eyes after an eye infection.
Avoid tobacco smoke, smoke in general, and other irritants. Use glasses when it is windy and goggles when swimming.
Rarely the herpes virus can cause a cornea infection. Other symptoms associated with this are sensitivity to light and worsened vision. The pain and a feeling of something extraneous in the eye can initially be mild.
Diagnosing herpes necessitates a visit to a doctor, and dyeing of the mucous membranes, which shows the changes caused by infection. Diagnosing and treating this disease early is extremely important. This way the treatment outcome is as good as possible.
The iris can also become infected. In this case, vision worsens quickly and the eye hurts. Eye is red and the pupil is small. The iris looks unclear. Treatment is cortisone, which usually works remarkably well.
Foreign objects can enter the eyes. If they do not get removed with lachrymal fluid, they may cause pain. Usually it is easy to see if there is something foreign in the eye. Oneself or another person can check the eye to distinguish. Foreign objects in the eyes cannot always be seen without special instruments.
One can try to rinse the foreign object out of the eye by opening and closing the eyes under water. Sometimes the object cannot be removed without a doctor’s help. Here the doctor will anesthetize the eye to remove the object. If one has an eyelash bent under the eyelid, it may come loose lifting the eyelid off the eyeball and bat your lashes.
Pain in the eye can be caused by a rapid increase in intraocular tension. This may be accompanied by worsening vision, colored rings around light, and pain in the eye and its environment. The person may also feel nauseous.
The eye is red, the cornea is hazy the iris is large and does not respond to light. Measuring shows increased intraocular pressure. Treatment has to be promptly initiated in the case of this illness.
Intraocular tension should be regularly measured after age 40 even though no symptoms exist. A gradual increase in the intraocular pressure is asymptomatic.
Sometimes problems in the upper cervical spine may cause pain in the eye area, felt as pain behind the eye. This is usually accompanied by neck pain and worsening of the pain connected to the eye symptoms. The treatment needs to address the underlying reason for pain.
Sudden strong pain in the eye, especially if it is accompanied by vision problems.
See a Doctor
Long-term conjunctivitis that cannot be cured by home remedies.
Repeated eye infections and continued eye irritation.
Wikipedia page about conjunctivitis.
All About Vision on eye infections.
Netdoctor.co.uk about foreign body in the eye.
Familydoctor.org about Herpes Zoster of the eye.
Medicinenet.com pages about iritis.
Medicinenet.com slideshow of eye diseases.
All About Vision article about glaucoma.
All About Vision about dry eyes.
Patient UK about trigeminal neuralgia.
American Family Physician on pain in the not red eye.
SafeMedication.com instruction how to use eye drops properly.
SafeMedication.com instruction how to use eye ointments and gels properly.