Typical and Not So Typical Reasons for Eyelid Pain

Eyelid pain can range from being mildly annoying to debilitating. There are many reasons for it, some of which are common and others that are far rarer. The eyelids aren’t meant to hurt. So, if you experience any discomfort, then seeking help sooner rather than later is essential. 

Any pain that goes on for longer than 48 hours—or any sudden onset of significant pain—should be assessed. Your eye doctor should be your first port of call, who will take an in-depth history and carry out an examination. Once a definitive diagnosis is reached, then appropriate treatment can be put in place.

Eyelid Pain 101

• Typical and not so typical reasons for eyelid pain (and some may well surprise you)
• How eyelid pain is treated

Typical and not so typical reasons for eyelid pain (and some may well surprise you)

Some of the most common causes of eyelid pain include:

• A stye: This is a painful bump that forms on the edge of the eyelid, right at the base of the eyelid. It can be anywhere along the eyelid, including right in the corner. It’s caused by a bacterial infection within a gland. Symptoms include scratchy irritation, pain, reddening, tearing, and light sensitivity.
• Conjunctivitis: Also known as pink eye, this is caused by inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the front of the eye (the conjunctiva). It can be bacterial or viral—or can also happen with wind exposure, irritants, allergens, toxins, etc. The eye (or eyes) become red, itchy, swollen, and sore. Excessive tearing is also common.
• Wearing contact lenses: Some people just don’t get on with contact lenses, but others experience pain through improper use. Wearing them for too long, poor hygiene practices when changing them, and swimming with them are just some reasons that using them can cause eyelid pain. Symptoms include irritation, excessive tearing, and redness.
• Allergies: Hay Fever, a pollen allergy, is something many people suffer from—and the symptoms can be miserable. As well as sore eyelids and watering eyes, other symptoms include a streaming nose and sneezing. However, pollen isn’t the only culprit. Smoke, chemicals, pet dander, and mold are some other common triggers.

Some not-so-common causes of eyelid pain are:

• Chalazion: This is similar to a stye, yet it doesn’t normally cause pain. However, they can grow quite large and cause pain as they do. Left untreated, they can potentially cause problems with vision and cause the whole eyelid to swell.
• Shingles: Ocular shingles (meaning it affects the eye, as opposed to anywhere else on the body), is a potentially sight-threatening condition if not treated. Early symptoms include tingling, burning, or itching. After 1-3 days, a rash usually appears that evolves into small blisters. It can be extremely painful and can cause a range of other inflammatory and/or infectious eye-related conditions. It can also raise the pressure within the eye.
• Cellulitis: This is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin. When on the face or around the eyes, it’s known as preorbital cellulitis if it only involves the eyelid, or orbital cellulitis if it migrates into the eye itself. It’s a serious condition that requires prompt medical treatment. Symptoms include eyelid pain, swelling, reddening, and vision problems. It can also cause a fever and other health issues.
• Ocular herpes: An infection caused by the same virus that causes cold sores, this is another potentially serious condition. Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and a rash.

How eyelid pain is treated

The above list is by no means exhaustive, which is why any eyelid pain needs further investigation. Treatment will be determined by the diagnosis, but could include:

• Warm and cold compresses.
• Eyedrops. These could be purely to keep the eye lubricated or could contain medication, such as antibiotics, pain relief, and steroids.
• Antiviral medication, perhaps in eye gel or oral form.
• Antibiotic tablets. Or very serious cases of infection might require IV antibiotics.
• Physical treatment, such as scraping away damaged cells in the case of ocular herpes.

Got Eyelid Pain? Contact the West Boca Eye Center Today

Getting to the root cause of eyelid pain is the first step to relieving it. At the WBEC, our eye doctors offer the ultimate care for anything that’s eye or vision-related, including diagnosing typical and not so typical reasons for eyelid pain.

Whether it’s down to an allergy, infection, exposure, trauma, or anything else, our experience and academic-grade clinical facilities mean we can treat anything on-site.

Find out more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/ and call today to book an appointment.

Eyelid pain can range from being mildly annoying to debilitating. There are many reasons for it, some of which are common and others that are far rarer.

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