Eye Pain: What Are the Causes?

Nearly everyone has had sore eyes at some point. Sometimes they get better on their own, but
they can also be a sign of something more serious.

Your eye doctor can figure out what's going on and find the right treatment for you.

Where Does It Hurt?

Sometimes discomfort or pain results from a problem in your eye or the parts around it, such as:

 Cornea: The clear window in the front of your eye that focuses light
 Sclera: The whites of your eyes
 Conjunctiva: The ultra-thin covering of your sclera and the inside of your eyelid
 Iris: The colored part of your eye, with the pupil in the middle
 Orbit: A bony cave (eye socket) in your skull where the eye and its muscles are located.
 Extraocular muscles: They rotate your eye.
 Nerves: They carry visual information from your eyes to your brain.
 Eyelids: Outside coverings that protect and spread moisture over your eyes.

Common Eye Problems

Blepharitis: An inflammation or infection of the eyelid which typically is not painful

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye): This is inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can be from allergies or

infections (viral or bacterial). Blood vessels in the conjunctiva swell. This makes the part of your
eye that’s usually white look red. Your eye could also get itchy and gunky. This condition is
typically not painful.

Corneal abrasions: That’s the official name for a scratch on this part of your eye. It sounds
minor, but it can hurt. It’s easy to do, too. You can scratch your eye while rubbing it. Your
doctor will give you antibiotic drops. It should get better in a couple of days without further
problems.

Corneal infections (keratitis): An inflamed or infected cornea is sometimes caused by a

bacterial or viral infection. You may be more likely to get it if you leave your contacts in
overnight or wear dirty lenses.

Foreign bodies: Something in your eye, like a bit of dirt, can irritate it. Try to rinse it out with
artificial tears or water. If you don’t get it out, it can scratch your eye.

Glaucoma: This family of conditions causes fluid to build up in your eye. That puts pressure on
your optic nerve. If you don’t treat it, you could lose your sight. Most of the time there are no
early symptoms. But a type called acute angle-closure glaucoma causes pressure inside your eye
to rise suddenly. Symptoms include severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, and
worsening vision. This is an emergency. You need treatment ASAP to prevent blindness.

Iritis or uveitis: An inflammation inside your eye from trauma, infections, or problems with
your immune system. Symptoms include pain, red eye, and, often, worse vision.

Optic neuritis: An inflammation of the nerve that travels from the back of the eyeball into your
brain. Multiple sclerosis and other conditions or infections are often to blame. Symptoms include
loss of vision and sometimes deep discomfort when you look from side to side.

Sinusitis: An infection in one of your sinuses. When pressure builds up behind your eyes, it can
cause pain on one or both sides.

Stye: This is a tender bump on the edge of your eyelid. It happens when an oil gland, eyelash, or
hair follicle gets infected or inflamed. You may hear your doctor call it a chalazion or
hordeolum.

Other Symptoms

Eye pain can happen on its own or with other symptoms, like:

 Less vision
 Discharge: It can be clear or thick and colored
 Foreign body sensation -- the feeling that something is in the eye, whether real or imagined
 Headache
 Light sensitivity
 Nausea or vomiting
 Red eye or pinkeye
 Tearing
 Your eye is crusted shut with discharge when you wake up.

Other symptoms along with sore eyes can be a clue to what is causing the pain.

Tests to Diagnose Eye Pain

See your eye doctor if you have eye pain, especially if you have less vision, headache, or nausea
and vomiting.

Eye doctors use a variety of tools to diagnose eye pain:

 A slit-lamp exam uses bright light to look at all the structures of your eye.
 Dilating drops expand your pupil to let the doctor see deep into your eye.
 A tonometer is a tool that measures eye pressure. The doctor uses it to diagnose glaucoma.
Treatments

Just as causes can vary, so do treatments. They target the specific cause of eye pain.

Conjunctivitis: Antibacterial eyedrops can cure bacterial conjunctivitis. Antihistamines in the

form of eyedrops, a pill, or a syrup can improve conjunctivitis from allergies.

Corneal abrasions: These heal on their own with time. Your doctor might prescribe an
antibiotic ointment or drops.

Glaucoma: You’ll get eyedrops and maybe pills to reduce pressure. If they don't work, you may
need surgery.

Infected cornea: You may need antiviral or antibacterial eyedrops.

Iritis: The doctor will treat this with steroid, antibiotic, or antiviral eyedrops.

Optic neuritis: It's treated with corticosteroids.

Styes: Use warm compresses at home for a few days.

The only way to sort out the causes of eye pain and to get the right treatment is to see a doctor.
Your vision is precious. Protect it by taking eye pain seriously.

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-pain-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment#1
Computer Ergonomics: How to Protect Yourself from Strain and Pain

On this page:

 Why computer ergonomics?

 Arrange your workstation
 Adapt laptops
 Modify your body mechanics
 Adjust your work patterns
 Move!
 Exercise at your computer
 Keep fit
 When to seek medical care
 Resources

Why computer ergonomics? Many people spend hours a day in front of a computer without
thinking about the impact on their bodies. They physically stress their bodies daily without
realizing it by extending their wrists, slouching, sitting without foot support and straining to look
at poorly placed monitors.

These practices can lead to cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive stress injuries, which create
a life-long impact on health. Symptoms may include pain, muscle fatigue, loss of sensation,
tingling and reduced performance.

Ergonomics is a field of study that attempts to reduce strain, fatigue, and injuries by improving
product design and workspace arrangement. The goal is a comfortable, relaxed posture.

Arrange Your Workstation: Every time you work, take time to adjust workstations that aren't
quite right in order to minimize awkward and frequently performed movements.
Click here for a larger, printable poster of the following image (PDF)

Adapt Laptops: Laptop computers are not ergonomically designed for prolonged use. The
monitor and keyboard are so close together that they cannot both be in good positions at the
same time. For prolonged use, it's best to add a separate monitor and keyboard. The laptop can
be planced on books so the top of the screen is at eye level, then use an external keyboard so that
your elbows can rest at 90° by your side.

Modify Your Body Mechanics

Do you wear eyeglasses? Make sure they fit properly to avoid tilting your head.

Type with light strokes, and try to keep your muscles relaxed.
Sit "tall," aligning your ears, shoulders and hips. When you sit, think about making yourself an
inch taller.

Switch hands when using a mouse, if you are able.

Completely rest your wrists during breaks, including taking your hands off the mouse.

Adjust Your Work Patterns: Reduce prolonged computer time whenever possible.

Break work into smaller segments and switch between tasks that use different motions. For
example, alternate use of mouse with reading and searching the web.

Move! Movement has many benefits: it relaxes tissues, lubricates joints and prevents stiffness,
improves circulation, reduces fatigue, and builds stamina. One study showed that heavy
computer users who successfully avoided computer-related pain moved every 7 minutes.

At least every 10 minutes, take a short (10-20 second) break. Take your hands off the keyboard
and move!

Every 30-60 minutes, take a brief (2-5 minute) break to stretch and/or walk around.

Exercise at Your Computer

Neck/Shoulders

Neck Rotation: Slowly rotate your head as far as comfortable to the right, then left.

Shoulder Rotation: Circle your shoulders, then reverse directions.

Head Side to Side: Bend your neck so left ear approaches left shoulder, then repeat for right. Add
a little resistance by pressing your hand against the side of your head.

Chin Tuck: Slide your chin inward, without bending your neck up or down. This is easiest to
practice initially against a wall. Tuck chin in, attempting to touch back of neck to the wall while
also maintaining head contact. Don't jam your chin down to your chest.

Shoulder Blade Retraction: Pull your shoulders down and back.

Shrug: Slowly raise your shoulders toward ears and hold for a few seconds. Gradually bring
shoulders down and relax.
Back

Shoulder Squeeze: Raise your arms in front of body, with elbows bent and thumbs up. Pull
elbows back, squeezing shoulder blades together. Hold for a few seconds then release.

Stretch Up: Sit up straight and imagine a cable attached to the top of your head. Gradually stretch
to be as tall as possible, hold for a few seconds, then relax.

Arms

Arm Relaxation: Drop your arms and hands to your sides. Gently shake them for a few seconds.

Arm Rotation: Raise your arms in front of your body. Rotate arms so palms face up, then rotate
so backs of hands face each other.

Hands/Wrists

Wrist Flex: With your elbows on desk, gently use left hand to bend right hand back toward
forearm. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat on other side.

Finger Fan: Spread your fingers as far apart as possible, hold, then clench fists, then release.

Feet

Toe Curl: Flex toes up, then curl toes under. Release.

Foot Rotation: Circle foot slowly from the ankle, then reverse.

Eyes

Eye Rolls: Roll your eyes clockwise then counterclockwise briefly.

Palm Eyes: Without touching your eyes, cup hands lightly over eyes for 30 seconds to rest them
from light.

Look Away: Exercise your eyes by periodically looking away from your computer to focus on
distant objects.

Keep fit: Physical fitness can help you avoid and treat problems related to computer use. Build
your stamina with exercises for strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.

When to seek medical care: See a clinician if you experience:

  Constant pain
 Numbness
 Weakness
 Other problems that interfere with daily tasks

Resources:

For UHS services, see Schedule an Appointment.

Nurse Advice by Phone is available day and night, which may save a trip to UHS or the ER.

MHealthy
Guides for workplace ergonomics and ergonomic consultations for UM employees

Occupational Safety and Environmental Health

Resource for UM employees

For ergonomic products, search e.g. "ergonomic computer aids".

AliMed is one source of such products.

https://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/ergonomics.htm
Computer Ergonomics For Healthy Vision
By Gary Heiting, OD

Like This Page? Please Share!

It seems nearly everyone in this digital world is spending a lot of time in front of a computer,
which can strain the eyes as well as other parts of the body.

And anyone who uses a computer for prolonged periods — whether on the job, at school or at
home for enjoyment — is at risk for headaches, burning eyes, red eyes, a stiff neck and other
symptoms that comprise computer vision syndrome (CVS). Prolonged computer work also can
cause physical stress that eventually could lead to a disability.

Here's the good news: You can reduce computer-related discomfort by becoming more aware of
your body during computer work and adjusting your workstation and viewing habits to avoid
these problems. The key is something called computer ergonomics.

What Is "Computer Ergonomics"?

Ergonomics is the science of designing a job, equipment and/or workplace to fit the worker. The
goal is to optimize the "fit" between each worker and his or her work environment to optimize
performance and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

Computer ergonomics addresses ways to optimize your computer workstation to reduce the
specific risks of computer vision syndrome (CVS), neck and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome
and other disorders affecting the muscles, spine and joints.

Some experts in this field also use the term "visual ergonomics" when talking about designing a
computer workstation with the goal of preventing CVS.

Computer And Visual Ergonomics: OSHA Tips

You don't need an expensive consultant to create a computer workstation that reduces your risk
of stress, discomfort and potential injury.

Here are some of the top computer ergonomics tips recommended by the U.S. Department of
Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). These tips are designed to
reduce the risk of stress, physical injury and computer eye strain from prolonged computer use.
With better posture, this computer worker might avoid neck and back strain.

1. Sit so your head and neck are upright and in-line with your torso, not bent down or tilted back.
2. Face your computer screen directly. Avoid viewing your screen with your head turned or your
back twisted.
3. Keep your elbows comfortably close to your body.
4. Use a chair that provides support for your lower back and has a cushioned seat with a contoured
front edge.
5. Keep your mouse close to your keyboard so you don't have to reach for it.
6. Position your computer display so the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This will
allow you to view the screen without bending your neck.
7. Adjust the position of your display to prevent reflections of overhead and outdoor lighting
appearing on your screen.
8. Put your monitor close enough to your eyes so you can comfortably read text on the screen
without leaning forward.
9. When working with print documents, use a document holder that positions them at the same
height and distance as your computer screen.
10. Use a hands-free headset when talking on the phone while working at your computer.

Also, adjust the height of your chair and desk so that:

 Your upper arms are perpendicular to the floor, not stretched forward or angled backward
 Your forearms, wrists and hands form a 90-degree angle with your upper arms
 Your thighs are parallel to the floor and your lower legs are perpendicular to the floor
 Your wrists and palms are not resting on sharp edges

If you wear bifocals or trifocals, you should be able to comfortably view your computer screen
without tilting your head back. If this is not the case, consider purchasing computer glasses.

Following these tips will help you avoid stressful postures that lead to headaches, neck and back
pain and computer vision syndrome.

But remember, prolonged computer work — even at an ideal workstation — is stressful to your
body and your eyes.
https://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/ergonomics.htm