The upper eyelid hurts – can pain lead to vision loss? How to get rid of pain in the upper eyelid using conservative methods. What to do if the eye under the upper eyelid hurts

The eye is a very vulnerable and delicate organ. Its natural defenses are the eyelids, tear fluid and eyelashes. If you notice that your eyelid hurts, do not ignore this symptom under any circumstances.

Discomfort in the lower or upper eyelid area may be a manifestation of a serious illness. Therefore, you need to contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, who will determine why the pain appeared and prescribe proper treatment.

Pain in the upper or lower eyelid: possible causes

Doctors identify the following reasons why the upper eyelid may hurt:

There are other reasons why the eyelid hurts. Among them are sanitary and hygienic living conditions, lack of vitamins, burns, bruises, wound complications, chemical, mechanical or thermal effects. Pain may also appear due to inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and lacrimal duct.

Pain in the upper or lower eyelid is a symptom of the following diseases:

erysipelas;
barley;
shingles;
abscess;
phlegmon;
conjunctivitis;
demodicosis

Erysipelas is caused by the entry of staphylococcus through injured skin. The appearance of barley is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Shingles is caused by the herpes virus. The most common cause of an eyelid abscess is bacteria entering the wound surface of the eyelid. Also, tissue infection can occur due to purulent processes in the nasal sinuses.

The development of phlegmon can provoke the development of barley, ulcerative blepharitis, boils and inflammation of the sinuses. Doctors say the most common cause of conjunctivitis is plant pollen and ordinary dust. Demodectic mange is caused by the presence of a mite in the body, which settles in the hair follicles of the eyebrows, hair and eyelashes.

In addition to the listed diseases, the causes of eyelid pain may be hidden in diseases such as chalazion, corneal ulcer, endophthalmitis and others. To determine why the eyelid hurts, if discomfort occurs in the eye area, you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist.

The eyelid hurts: a medicinal solution to the problem

The most common disease in ophthalmology is stye.

Inflammation in the eye is suppressed with the following antibacterial drops:

Albucid drops are an effective treatment for the prevention of eye infections, the main active ingredient of which is sulfacetamide.

This drug relieves inflammation of the eyes and relieves pain. To eliminate barley with Albucid, you must strictly follow the treatment regimen.

In order for the medicine to be distributed over the inflamed area and begin to act, you need to blink well. But you can’t rub your eyes with a handkerchief or your hands, as you can spread the infection. Sometimes, when instilled with Albucid, a burning or tingling sensation occurs in the eyes. Contraindication to the use of the drug is hypersensitivity to its components.

Tobradex drops consist of the antibiotic Tobramycin and Dexamethasone. These two components provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Indications for the use of Tobradex are the following diseases:

barley;
conjunctivitis;
blepharitis;
dacryocystitis.

Before instillation, the lower eyelid is gently pulled down, after which one or two drops of the drug are injected into the conjunctival sac. After the introduction of eye drops, you need to close and gently press your finger on the inner corner of the eye. Tobradex is instilled four to six times a day.

The drug should not be used in the following cases:

eye tuberculosis;
viral diseases of the cornea;
hypersensitivity to one of the components of the drug;
children under eighteen years of age;
period of pregnancy and lactation.

Eyelid hurts: how to get rid of pain at home?

Inflammation of the eyelid can be relieved with the following folk remedies:

An excellent remedy for tearing eyes and inflammation of the eyelids is an infusion of aloe. To prepare it, grind one clean leaf of aloe, pour a glass of boiled water and leave overnight. In the morning, rinse your eyes with the resulting infusion. This recipe is effective in treating stye.

If the eyelid hurts inside, pour half a glass of dried cucumber peel with one hundred milliliters of boiled water. When the composition has infused and cooled, add a third of a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix everything and use for eye baths, as a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent.

You can relieve inflammation in the eyes with celery drops. To prepare them, pour a tablespoon of crushed plant seeds with half a glass of cold boiling water. The remedy should be infused for four hours. Then strain the infusion and put a few drops in each eye. The procedure can be carried out up to four times a day.

Compresses made from a decoction of parsley, dill, calendula and mint will help eliminate sore eyelids. Apply a cotton swab soaked in a warm extract of these herbs to your eye sockets. Repeat the procedure three to four times a day.

For conjunctivitis, barley and red eyes, an infusion of white bird cherry flowers helps well. Place a tablespoon of raw materials in a thermos and pour two hundred milliliters of hot boiling water. Use the infused decoction for lotions and eye washes.

Prevention of eye diseases

To prevent eye diseases, ophthalmologists recommend following the following rules:

Any eye diseases, the symptoms of which are pain and redness of the eyelids, pose a danger to vision and require immediate, competent treatment. A disease detected in its early stages responds faster and better to treatment. Take care of your eyes and be healthy!

Eye pain when blinking is a fairly serious symptom. Pain in the eye can be a sign of multiple ophthalmological pathologies. Among the most common are conjunctivitis, myositis, iridocyclitis, and blepharitis. Pain in the eye when a person blinks can appear due to the presence of foreign bodies in the area of the visual apparatus. Regardless of the cause of pain when blinking, you should immediately visit an ophthalmologist. Only a doctor can determine why the eyelid hurts and what needs to be done. You cannot get rid of pain with medication alone.

If the eyeball hurts, this may be a sign of an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the eyes, muscles of the organ of vision and eyelids. A characteristic feature of these three pathologies is painful sensations at the time when a person blinks.

Conjunctivitis

It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane of the eyes). Conjunctivitis occurs more often in children. But in some cases it also develops in adults. It can affect one eye or two at once. Conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic.

Why does the disease develop:

Infectious. It develops against the background of bacteria (chlamydia, streptococci, staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae), viruses, fungal microorganisms.
Non-infectious. It occurs against the background of an allergic reaction of the body to various irritants.

Symptoms:

pain in the eyes, especially when blinking;
sore eyeball;
swelling of the eyelids;
redness of the conjunctiva;
burning;
lacrimation;
feeling of the presence of foreign bodies in the eye;
with various types of inflammation, discharge of a different nature may be present - mucus, pus (with bloody impurities);
sticking of eyelashes in the morning after sleep;
decreased visual acuity;
signs of general intoxication, as the body’s response to inflammation - weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, increased body temperature, joint and headaches, enlarged lymph nodes.

To determine conjunctivitis and prescribe treatment for an experienced ophthalmologist, a visual examination is sometimes sufficient. But to determine the pathogen, you may need to undergo tests.

Treatment can be carried out at home. But do not forget that conjunctivitis is a contagious disease. Can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person.

Therefore, if treatment is carried out at home, personal hygiene rules should be observed.

Complications:

blepharitis;
keratitis;
canaliculitis;
chronic form of conjunctivitis.

Treatment is carried out depending on the etiology of the disease:

Bacterial inflammation. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial eye drops, wiping solutions and ointments are prescribed. The most common drugs: Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Brulamycin, Tobrex, Betamethasone, Oftadek, Albucid. Chlamydial, gonococcal and other complex types of inflammation are treated in each individual case.
Viral conjunctivitis. Eye treatment with furatsilin solution and medications: Gludantan, Poludan, Oftadek, Dexamethasone, Sofradex, Floresan, Vigamox, Floxal, Ciprofloxacin.
Allergic conjunctivitis. Treatment is carried out with antihistamine drops: Ketotifen, Azelastine, Allergodil, Olopatadine.

A pathology characterized by swelling and pain during blinking, which are chaotic in nature.

Causes:

Symptoms:

sore eyeball;
pain in the upper and lower eyelids;
headache;
limited pupil mobility or no mobility at all;
the muscles of the eye become dense, pain is observed not only when blinking, but also during palpation;
the mucous membrane becomes gray and loses its natural shine.

The diagnosis is made based on visual examination, the results of magnetic resonance imaging, electroretinography, ophthalmotonometry, and diaphanoscopy.

Treatment:

Medicines. A course of corticosteroid drugs is prescribed.
Operation. The fiber of the orbit is separated from the muscle tissue.

The consequences of untimely cured myositis are the replacement of healthy tissue with fibrous tissue.

Blepharitis, iridocyclitis

If pain occurs when blinking, this may be the cause of eye pathologies such as blepharitis and iridocyclitis. Each of the diseases has complications and requires specific treatment.

Blepharitis

Inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. The pathology in most cases is chronic and difficult to treat.

Causes:

fungal, bacterial infection;
mites;
allergy;
hypovitaminosis (lack of vitamins);

anemia;
tuberculosis;
diabetes;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract);
farsightedness, astigmatism, dry eye syndrome.

The most common symptom of blepharitis is pain when blinking. Moreover, the eyelid or corner hurts quite strongly due to the inflammatory process.

Redness and swelling of the eyelids develop, accompanied by burning and itching. The lower and upper eyelids may swell. Some forms of blepharitis are characterized by the appearance of scales and crusts on the skin of the eyelids. At the same time, eyelashes stick together, they can grow incorrectly and fall out rapidly. There is lacrimation and photophobia.

Diagnosis is carried out by biomicroscopy. Treatment of the pathology is quite long. Antiallergic drops and corticosteroid ointments are prescribed locally. For ulcerative blepharitis, which develops against the background of bacteria, antibacterial therapy is required. Treatment of blepharitis caused by ticks is carried out with anti-tick medications. For some types of pathology, a special eyelid massage is necessary. Regardless of the variety of blepharitis, a nutritional correction is required, an increase in the immune system. The consequences of blepharitis are a chronic form that is difficult to treat.

Iridocyclitis

Inflammatory process in the region of the iris and middle choroid of the eyeball.

Causes:

chronic infection in the nasal and pharyngeal sinuses;
tuberculosis bacillus;
herpes virus;
flu;
measles;
toxoplasmosis;
fungi;
joint diseases;
sarcoidosis;
inflammatory diseases of the cornea and sclera;
damage to the eyeball;
surgical interventions.

Characteristic features:

pain in the eyeball when blinking;
change in iris color;

smoothness of the iris pattern;
constricted pupil;
the shape of the pupil is incorrect.

Pathology is diagnosed based on a conversation with the patient and biomicroscopy techniques. Treatment is carried out only in inpatient settings. The main goal of therapy is to reduce the inflammatory process. Depending on the causes of the pathology, antibacterial and antiviral specific treatment is prescribed.

Other reasons

List of possible causes of pain when blinking:

Incorrect vision correction. Pain in the eyeball when blinking can be caused by incorrectly selected glasses or contact lenses. With a large diopter difference between the eyes, as a rule, very severe discomfort develops. After some time, it develops into pain, which is localized in the eyeball and intensifies when blinking. And in most cases, a headache develops. To get rid of such sensations, you should visit an ophthalmologist who will help correct the situation.
Eye fatigue. Painful sensations when blinking are a sign of visual fatigue. This symptom especially often appears in people who spend a long time at the computer or work with papers. Visual stress is very harmful to the eyes. Dry eye syndrome is a pathology characterized by rapid drying of the mucous membranes of the eyeball. Occurs due to overwork of the visual apparatus. Complications: keratoconjunctivitis; ulcer, perforation, corneal keratinization, cataract, inflammation, blindness. To prevent the development of various eye pathologies, you should definitely take breaks and use special glasses and drops.

Foreign bodies in the eye. When grains of sand, small debris, dust, or insects get in, a person feels not only pain when blinking, but also severe pain. It is not recommended to remove foreign bodies yourself, as you can damage the mucous membrane. It is better to immediately contact an ophthalmologist. It is imperative to visit a doctor if metal shavings or other hard objects get into your eye. The doctor will remove the object and prescribe treatment with Levomycetin, Albucid.
Barley. This pathology is a purulent inflammation that is localized in the sebaceous gland in the lower or upper eyelid. The reason is a harmful bacterial infection. Swelling, redness, increased body temperature, and pain when blinking appear. Treatment involves the use of ointments and drops that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Chalazion. Benign tumor on the lower and upper eyelids. Develops as a consequence of chronic inflammation of the eyelid cartilage gland. In most cases, it can only be treated surgically. The main symptom is pain when blinking, redness of the eyelid, swelling.
Inflammation of the tissues that surround the eye. The inflammatory process that develops in the paranasal sinuses (with sinusitis, sinusitis) is also accompanied by pain when blinking. This is explained by the location of the sinuses of the nose too close to the eyes. But in this case, you should contact not an ophthalmologist, but an ENT specialist.
Neuritis. Inflammation of the optic nerve. There are no changes in the area of the eyeball, but there is severe pain when the person blinks. It is fraught with a significant decrease in visual acuity. Requires immediate treatment.
Canaliculitis. Inflammatory process in the area of the tear ducts. The corner of the eye hurts. Therapy involves the use of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drops.
Furuncle. The eyelid hurts and there is redness. The eyelid is compacted, the boil looks like a cone with a purulent tip. Treatment is carried out with antibacterial drugs and ointments.

Abscess of the century. The eyelid becomes thicker and hurts. Painful sensations can radiate to the corner of the eye, lower and upper eyelids. Swelling, redness and drooping of the upper eyelid appear. An abscess most often develops on the upper eyelid. It hurts to blink.
Partial, complete obstruction of the lacrimal ducts. At the same time, it’s not only painful to blink. Active lacrimation and discomfort appear in the corner of the eye. It is treated surgically.
Dacryocystitis. Inflammation of the lacrimal sac. It hurts to blink, and the pain radiates to the corner of the eye. It is treated with conservative and surgical methods.

As you can see, such a symptom as pain during blinking can be a sign of many pathologies. It is for this reason that self-medication is not necessary.

Many people begin to wash their eyes with herbal tinctures and tea. It is not prohibited. But it is better to consult a specialist in order to prevent the development of complications and blindness.

The eyelids constitute the auxiliary apparatus of the eye. They are in very close contact, so it is not surprising that it is difficult to distinguish whether the eye hurts under the upper eyelid or the eyelid itself.

Structure and features

The eyelid above the eye is a protective cover, including the musculocutaneous and conjunctival-cartilaginous layers. The cartilaginous component acts as a “framework” to which very thin and elastic skin is attached. Thanks to its ability to have significant stretchability, the eyelid easily folds and straightens out just as easily, softly covering the eyeball. Greater mobility of the skin fold promotes the movement of a traumatic object between the eyelid and eye.

The eyelid has almost no fat layer, and the fiber is loose; edema easily forms here due to infectious processes or due to disorders of the cardiovascular and excretory systems.

Cartilage is located along the edge of the eyelids. In its thickness are special sebaceous (meibovian) glands. Their mouths open on the posterior surface of the eyelid rib. The main task of the secretion of these glands is to prevent the transfusion of tear fluid over the edge of the eyelid and to preserve it in the tear lake. In this way, the skin around the eye is protected from constant irritation and maceration and the corneal layer of the eye is moisturized.

The movement of the eyelids is provided by the orbicularis muscles, the muscles that lift the eyelid, the lacrimal sac is contracted by the Horner muscle, and the Riolan muscle passes at the root of the eyelashes.

Nervous regulation is carried out using the facial, oculomotor and cervical sympathetic nerves.

The eyelids have a good blood supply, the highest density of the vascular network is located at a distance of 2 mm from the edge of the eyelid. Arterial supply occurs through branches of the ophthalmic artery, and venous outflow occurs through the superior ophthalmic vein. These vessels are connected by anastomoses with the vessels of the skin of the face and nasal sinuses. Therefore, infectious processes from these areas can very quickly spread to the orbit of the eye and the eyelid, in particular.

The lymphatic vessels of the eyelids are concentrated in the preauricular and mandibular lymph nodes. This creates another route for the spread of infection or metastasis of tumors.

Why do my eyelids hurt? Based on information about the structure of the eyelid and its connections with surrounding structures, it can be assumed that there are different reasons for how the eyelids hurt.

Pain as a symptom of systemic diseases

The eye hurts due to injury, when there is obvious or hidden damage to the eyeball. The wound can be either from the outside, with penetration through the tissue of the eyelid, or from the inside. At the same time, edema or hemorrhage quickly increases at the site of injury. The eyelid is edematous and painful when pressed on the area of damage. The pain may intensify when blinking, as the traumatic particle moves.

Eyelids swell and for many extra-ocular reasons. Edema is formed from intercellular fluid in conditions of metabolic disorders, diseases of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and kidney pathology. In such cases, the lower eyelid of the eye hurts and swelling occurs in the morning.

In the evening, pain and swelling of the eyelids occurs more due to pathology of the cardiovascular system and impaired lymph outflow. Their distinctive feature is the symmetry of manifestation.

Pain during the formation of edema is explained by the pressure generated by the volume of fluid on numerous nerve endings in the eyelids.

In addition to the conditions already mentioned, swelling and soreness of the eyelids can be caused by excess salt in the body, which retains water, and prolonged crying.

Sobbing causes tear fluid to be released abundantly, and with it salts that irritate the skin of the eyelids. Also, due to the build-up of intracranial pressure during crying, blood flows abundantly to the eyes, vascular permeability increases, and large quantities of fluid leak into the intercellular space. Therefore, after crying, a person usually has swollen eyelids, which can be irritated and painful.

If the eye under the upper eyelid hurts, it is painful to press against the background of a headache and general poor health, then this may indirectly indicate an increase in intracranial or intraocular pressure. In this case, the sensations are characterized by patients as a feeling of fullness in the eyeball, many complain of deteriorating vision.

The eyelids also hurt when the nerves that innervate them (neuritis) or the muscles that move them (myositis) are inflamed. Among the causes of this category, it is worth especially noting the damage to the trigeminal nerve by herpes viruses. Since the nerve is affected, the pain in the eyelids will have a piercing, cutting character. Gradually, along the nerve, including on the skin of the eyelid, redness, swelling and characteristic small rashes will appear.

Damage to the eyelid with systemic herpes

Common blood vessels with the sinuses contribute to rapid inflammation of the eyelid during colds and runny nose. Tonsillitis is especially dangerous because it is a source of streptococcal infection, which can cause erysipelas of the eyelids.

Eye infection

The eyelid and the eyeball itself in its anterior section are covered by one common membrane - the conjunctiva. Therefore, diseases that affect this membrane or the cornea of the eye can be felt as pain in the eyelid, especially when pressed.

The most common diseases are conjunctivitis: bacterial, allergic, viral. Swelling, hyperemia, inflammation, local sensation of heat are symptoms that can also affect the eyelid area.

Also, due to the sensitivity of the inner layer of the eyelid, even the slightest violation of the smoothness and integrity of the cornea is perceived as a painful sensation of a speck in the eye. Therefore, it is painful to press on the eye through the eyelid with keratitis, ulcerations on the cornea, or with excessive dryness (dry eye syndrome).

Also, in addition to inflammation of the outer membranes of the eye, the infectious process can occur in its internal structures. Suppuration in the vitreous and anterior chambers of the eye (endophthalmitis) ultimately affects the integumentary layers, conjunctiva and eyelids. The eyeball becomes soft from the pus filling it, the eyelids become swollen, red and very painful.

The infection most often occurs through a penetrating injury to the eye and can be of a bacterial, viral or fungal nature. Less commonly, the pathogen enters the eye from the blood if there is an infectious source in the body.

Inflammatory processes

From practice, you can notice that the upper eyelid hurts more often. Firstly, almost its entire area is in contact with the eyeball, so the likelihood of inflammation spreading is higher than on the lower one. Secondly, by reflexively closing, the eyelid is the first to take on any hostile influence - be it a chemical, an insect bite, dirt or strong gusts of wind. Thirdly, if a person’s eye hurts or itches, then he will touch it through the eyelids, contributing to their bacterial contamination.

Erysipelas

The most striking symptomatology is erysipelas of the eyelid - an infectious disease caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group A. Infection occurs through contact with the carrier of the pathogen and the presence of a special selective susceptibility and predisposition to erysipelas. Most often, the disease develops after injury to the eyelid. After 12 hours, burning and bursting pain begins. The eyelid is redder and swollen, its skin is hot to the touch, and is separated from the rest of the eyelid by a painful skin ridge. Tiny pinpoint hemorrhages may appear.

Sty

The eyelid can also hurt due to inflammation that has formed along its ciliary edge (in common parlance - stye). Clinically, it is inflammation of a clogged sebaceous gland or hair follicle of the eyelash. The culprit of the disease is most often Staphylococcus aureus. A weakened state of immunity and general malaise contribute to the development of infection. There may be one abscess or several at once. In this case, the eyelid hurts, itches, turns red and swells. In the external form of barley, against the background of redness, the purulent head of a whitish or yellowish color is clearly visible. The soreness of the eyelid stops abruptly when the abscess spontaneously opens. But there is also an internal form of barley, without the formation of a purulent head. Inflammation occurs in a limited space of the meibomian gland and is called meibomitis.

Diseases with the formation of pus

Staphylococcus aureus is the cause of another dangerous eyelid disease - furunculosis. This is an acute inflammation that occurs in the hair follicle with the formation of a purulent-necrotic rod. As a rule, boils on the eyelid form in the eyebrow area and much less often near the free edge.

In the initial phase of development, the boil is similar to a regular pimple, but is characterized by sharp pain when pressed. In this case, large swelling forms around the source of inflammation, which can cover the area of the orbits and nose.

The presence of a purulent core may require surgical removal, and boils are also treated with antibiotics, since such a serious source of infection on the face poses a threat of rapid spread of infection to the membranes of the brain.

Also, an abscess can occur anywhere in the upper or lower eyelid - a purulent inflammation of the tissue, provoked by the same streptococci and staphylococci. An abscess can develop with the worsening of barley, boils, blepharitis, purulent processes in the sinuses or orbit. It is characterized by a large area of purulent inflammation. In this case, the eyelid is sharply hyperemic and swollen. Pain is present even at rest, and even more so when palpating the eyelid. Infectious intoxication causes general weakness, headache, and possibly increased body temperature.

Any disease of the eyelids with the formation of pus requires medical attention

The extreme degree of an infectious disease of the eyelid can be called diffuse purulent inflammation - phlegmon, which differs from an abscess in the absence of clear boundaries. The pain intensifies many times over when blinking or moving the eyelid. Pathogens enter the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelid through damage or from foci of infection in the body.

According to localization, they distinguish, in addition to phlegmon of the eyelid, phlegmon of the lacrimal sac and orbit. The disease is very dangerous, since the common venous bed opens the path of infection to the brain.

Chalazion

Another structure of the eyelid that can give a sensation of pain during disease is its cartilage. Its inflammation - chalazion - is palpated like a dense elastic “pea”. The disease is similar to “barley”, but differs in its chronic nature. Blockage of the excretory ducts of the glands with sluggish inflammation and forms a seal on the cartilage. The skin is not fused to it and easily moves to the side. Typically, a chalazion is a painless formation, but if a bacterial infection occurs and purulent inflammation develops, the pain increases, swelling and redness develop, and over time, an independent breakthrough of the abscess from the conjunctiva may occur. The usual causes of inflammation of the sebaceous glands are hypothermia, acute respiratory viral infections, dirty hands, or congenital increased production of gland secretions, which leads to their blockage.

Other infectious inflammations of the eyelids are collectively called blepharitis and differ in etiology and characteristic features.

In simple blepharitis, the skin of the eyelids is thickened along their edges, and the epithelium desquamates along the eyelash line. Therefore, the second name of the disease is scaly blepharitis.

If purulent inflammation occurs in the hair follicles of the eyelashes followed by ulceration, then blepharitis is called ulcerative.

Inflammation of the eyelids in combination with existing acne throughout the body is called rosacea. Its symptoms are small reddish nodules with pustules that appear profusely on the eyelids.

Blepharitis can be caused by various infections that occur chronically in the body, decreased immunity, vitamin deficiency, allergies, difficult living and working conditions, and polluted air.

Demodicosis

Pain in the eyelids can also have another origin - non-infectious. For example, the microscopic demodex mite settles in their thickness and conducts its life activities. It lives in the hair follicle and sebaceous glands, feeding on their secretions. The eyelids hurt from skin irritation from mite waste products. At the same time, their redness and unbearable itching are noted, and red or pink pimples periodically appear.

Non-infectious causes

Unpleasant sensations in the eyelids at rest can occur in the absence of an inflammatory disease. In this case, visual fatigue or general nervous exhaustion comes first.

Eyelids hurt with eyestrain

Insufficient lighting and prolonged eye work cause the eye muscles to be tense and thereby reduce blood flow in the structures of the eye. Accumulated metabolic products and intercellular fluid create a feeling of “heaviness” and pain in the eyelids. Similar sensations arise if a person has a lack of night sleep and general fatigue of the nervous system.

Such pain can go away on its own, you just need to get a good rest or change some of your habits.

Note!

In case of infectious diseases of the eyelids, under no circumstances should the pustules be heated.
Styes, pimples, boils, and any formations on the eyelid should not be squeezed out or pierced.
If your eyelids are painful, you should put off any cosmetic products for a while so as not to provoke additional irritation.
Painkillers and drops should be taken only after consulting a doctor, otherwise you may blur the picture of the disease and make it difficult to make a diagnosis.

In most cases, if your eyelids hurt, the best solution is to see a doctor. Since infectious diseases in the facial area are always very dangerous, they must be dealt with immediately and effectively. The doctor will be able to determine the source of pain in the eyelids, select an antibacterial drug for systemic or local use, prescribe additional drugs (antihistamines, decongestants) or physiotherapy.

There are several possible reasons why your eyelids hurt. The doctor will be able to identify the factors causing the disease and determine the correct treatment strategy. The eyelid can hurt in people regardless of the age category to which the person belongs. Sore eyelids can be a sign of various eye diseases. The role of the eyelids is largely protective. When blinking, the mucous membrane of the eyes (conjunctiva) is moistened with tear secretion. Eyelashes growing on the eyelids protect the eyes from dust and small foreign particles. Pathologies of the eyelids limit their functionality, and the eye may suffer. An ophthalmologist should treat diseases.

Each eye has a lower and upper movable eyelid. At the inner corner of the eye you can observe a rudimentary formation - the so-called third eyelid. On the outside, the eyelids are covered with very thin, delicate skin, and on the inside, their surface is lined with the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane of the eyes). Loose fiber fills the organ inside; in its thickness there is the orbicularis ocular muscle (it helps the eyelids close). Along the free edge, where the eyelashes grow, there are glandular cells on the eyelids.

Diseases of one or more of these eye structures at the same time often manifest as pain. Other signs of eyelid pathologies include lacrimation, “grains of sand” in the eyes, heaviness, twitching, and swelling of the eyes (edema).

So, why does the aforementioned accessory structure of the eye cause soreness?

Common reasons why your eyelids may hurt (upper, lower, or both):

Blepharitis.
Erysipelas of the eyes.
Conjunctivitis of various etiologies.
Dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis - inflammation of the lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac, respectively.
Episcleritis is an inflammatory process affecting the area between the conjunctiva and sclera.
Endophthalmitis.
“Barley” on the eye.
Purulent diseases of different parts of the eye (furuncle, abscess, phlegmon).

There are other reasons that cause pain in the eyelids. For example, chalazion (cyst located inside the glands), eye tumors, demodicosis, herpes zoster (herpetic infection). The eyelids will hurt after eye socket injuries or insect bites. Poor-quality cosmetics, allergic reactions to household chemicals, severe fatigue, lack of sleep are quite common causes of eyelid pain.

It is always important to identify the true causes of the pathological condition of the eyes. The strategy of therapeutic action depends on this. The doctor's recommendations should be strictly followed.

How do eyelid diseases manifest themselves?

For blepharitis:

inflammation is localized along the ciliary line;
eyes hurt, itch, itch very much, get tired quickly;
eyelashes partially fall out;
photophobia is observed;
the eyelids are swollen, reddened, scales and crusts form on them;
the cilia growth zone thickens and yellowish dots form on it.

The pathological process can affect the upper or lower eyelids.

Treatment begins with eliminating the cause of the disease. It is most often a staphylococcal infection. Additional causes of blepharitis: vitamin deficiency, poor hygiene, vision pathologies, conjunctivitis, various local irritants. Therapy includes the prescription of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

“Barley” is an acute, purulent inflammation of the hair follicle or sebaceous gland located on the eyelids. The reason is the penetration of provoking bacteria into the tissue.

Predisposing factors for the development of the disease:

low immunity;
chronic source of infection in the body (caries, tonsillitis, sinusitis);
diabetes;
blepharitis;
draft in the room, freezing.

Barley begins with the appearance of an inflamed point along the edge of the eyelid, hyperemia of the eye tissue around it, and swelling. In severe cases, if the barley is multiple, signs of intoxication and enlargement of regional lymph nodes are observed. After about two days, an abscess appears at the site of inflammation. When it opens, pus and dead cells will come out. Barley is dangerous due to complications (phlegmon of the orbit, abscess, meningitis).

Treatment in uncomplicated cases is local. Antibacterial eye drops and ointments are used. “Dry” heat and physiotherapy are used. It is forbidden to make compresses, lotions, or squeeze out stye.

The cause of chalazion is blockage of the eyelid gland tubule, accumulation of secretions. Accompanied by tissue proliferation. The process occurs in a chronic form. The disease begins with the appearance of a small grain on the inner surface of the eyelid; at first it does not cause any discomfort. As it increases, pain and a sensation of a foreign object appear in the affected eyelid, and visual acuity may decrease. Due to the mechanical impact of the granule, the conjunctiva and cornea become inflamed, and the eyelid is deformed.

Conservative treatment is appropriate in the early stages of the disease. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory therapy, massage, and physiotherapy are prescribed so that the chalazion resolves. A large formation is eliminated promptly by excision. Next, antibiotics are prescribed.

The causative agent of erysipelas is hemolytic staphylococcus. The disease begins acutely, after minor damage to the skin of the eyelid and the introduction of a microscopic provocateur. Severe pain in the affected eyelid, redness, and swelling appears. The tissues of the eyelid affected by the infection are sharply outlined, their edges are raised.

The eyelid may hurt due to a purulent process in the cavity of the visual organs - endophthalmitis. The disease often leads to vision loss.

It happens as a consequence:

eye injuries;
corneal ulcers;
complication of ophthalmological operations.

It manifests itself as severe pain, decreased vision, and swelling of the cornea. This disease can only be treated in a hospital.

Purulent processes, such as phlegmon, abscess, boil, always provoke soreness of the eyelids:

boil of the eyelid - begins with redness, a painful cone-shaped compaction with a purulent core;
abscess of the eyelid - also begins with a dense formation, swelling, pain, hyperemia. There is drooping of the eyelid (the upper mobile eyelid is most often affected), severe headache;
phlegmon of the eyelid - diffuse hyperemia, induration, pain, hyperthermia are observed. Possible causes of phlegmon: barley, infected eye injury, blepharitis.

Pathological conditions require immediate antibiotics and symptomatic therapy. Sometimes surgery cannot be avoided.

Diseases of the visual organs can cause vision loss. An infection from the eye can enter the brain, the general bloodstream, cause sepsis, and lead to a fatal outcome. This is why it is dangerous to put off going to the doctor. You should not self-medicate.

Human eyes perform an important function - they collect a lot of information from the environment.

Eye damage has a serious impact on quality of life. If you do not contact a specialist in time, this can lead to irreversible changes and serious complications.

Anatomical details

The lower and upper eyelids - structures that protect the eyes, consist of several layers of cells:

epithelial;
fat;
muscular.

There are also “islands” of glandular tissue that secrete a special secretion that protects the eyeball.

In the thickness of each eyelid there are acinar meibomian glands: on the upper eyelid - up to 40, on the lower - up to 30, their outlet openings are located behind the base of the eyelashes. The eyelids secrete oily lubricant from the openings of the meibomian glands.

The eyelids perform the following functions:

Take part in the outflow of tear fluid;

Protect the eye from foreign particles and dust;

Protects the eyeball from injury.

Eyelids hurt - causes

The eyelids hurt often due to disturbances in one or more structures, so the main reasons are:

Furuncle;

Abscess;

Chalazion;

Dacryocystitis;

Shingles;

Demodectic mange;

Bacterial, fungal and viral infections;

Allergy;

Traumatic damage to the eye (in this case, the eyelid above the eye is swollen, painful and has a bluish tint);

Certain factors contribute to the development of eyelid pathology:

Low immunity;

Chronic diseases (caries, sinusitis, tonsillitis);

Addiction to alcohol;

Hypovitaminosis;

Intoxication;

Allergies to medications, dust, smoke, cosmetics, cold, wind.

Often the occurrence of an inflammatory process, resulting in pain in the eyelids, is combined with refractive error (astigmatism, myopia, hypermetropia).

Infectious eye diseases not only cause damage to health, but are also fraught with complications. Untreated infections lead to corneal clouding and vision loss. The pathogen enters the eyes through hands, a handkerchief, and various objects, even if they seem perfectly clean, since the air, surrounding objects and all surfaces are teeming with bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Blepharitis - a consequence of infections

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, the causes of which are varied:

Bacteria;

Chemical agents;

Allergens;

Autoimmune processes.

Blepharitis mainly affects the eyelids of both eyes. The disease is common: according to statistics, every third person has been exposed to these unpleasant sensations at least once in their life. Pathology develops regardless of age. People between 40 and 70 years of age are more often affected.

The inflammatory process in blepharitis affects the skin of the edge of the eyelids, to which the eyelashes are attached.

Depending on the location, the following types of blepharitis are distinguished:

Front;

Angular

In the first case, the inflammatory process affects only the edge of the eyelid.

Posterior blepharitis involves the meibomian glands.

With angular, the corners of the eyes suffer.

Eyelids hurt due to erysipelas

The causative agent of erysipelas, group A hemolytic streptococcus, penetrates through any violation of the integrity of the skin as a result of microtrauma. The disease begins acutely and appears:

Hyperemia of the eyelid;

Its swelling;

Sharp pain in the eyelid area.

In this case, the eyelids of the eyes hurt greatly: depending on the location of the process, the lower eyelid hurts (the most common option), but there are other cases when the upper eyelid is affected and hurts. The affected part of the eyelid is separated from healthy skin by edema.

Shingles - a source of pain

For herpes zoster, caused by the herpes virus, an acute onset is characteristic: the temperature rises, general weakness and weakness are disturbing.

Depending on the localization of the infectious process, the upper or lower eyelid hurts.

In addition to pain, there is hyperemia and swelling of the skin, bubble rashes that can spread to the forehead and temples.

Furuncle - eyelids hurt

Furuncle is an acute purulent-necrotic inflammation caused by staphylococcus aureus.

It can involve both the upper and lower eyelids. Inflammation begins with the appearance of a node. When it appears, the lower eyelid hurts a lot, because it is there that the furuncle most often occurs.

Edema develops around the node, which can spread to half of the face.

In the future, a necrotic core is formed, pain in the eyelid intensifies and often spreads to the entire head.

Barley - life-threatening complications

Styes cause sharp pain in the upper and lower eyelids, which are affected equally often. Caused by staphylococcus, it appears in people with reduced immunity as a result of hypothermia, vitamin deficiency, and endocrine pathology.

The first sign of stye is swelling of the eyelid. At the same time, unpleasant sensations arise in the eye, and when pressed lightly, the eyelids hurt. Later, hyperemia appears and purulent discharge occurs. Accompanied by barley:

A sharp increase in temperature;

Intense headaches;

Enlarged lymph nodes.

Barley can recur and cause serious complications in the form of generalization of infection:

Phlegmon;

Abscess;

Meningitis;

Thrombosis of cerebral vessels.

These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

After a certain time, the barley opens on its own or disappears before reaching this stage.

Abscess - pain in the upper eyelid

The upper eyelid often hurts due to the development of an abscess, for which this localization is typical. The disease begins with compaction and swelling - these are the first signs of the disease.

Subsequently, hyperemia and drooping of the affected eyelid develop.

During the entire period while the abscess develops, the eyelid hurts and there are excruciating headaches.

Cellulitis - possible meningitis

Phlegmon of the orbit and lacrimal sac is accompanied by:

Intoxication;

Hyperemia of the skin of the eyelid;

Conjunctivitis;

Induration in the inner corner of the eye or exophthalmos with limited movement of the eyeball;

Sharp pain when pressing on the eyelid;

Sensation of an oval compaction at the site of inflammation.

In addition to high temperature, diplopia (double vision) may occur.

With the rapid progression of the disease, urgent medical attention is necessary due to the serious prognosis not only for vision, but also for life, especially in children.

Due to the peculiarities of the venous blood supply to the eyeball, the infection can penetrate the skull with the development of meningitis.

Chalazion - pain in the lower eyelid

Chalazion (hailstone)- proliferative (with tissue growth) inflammation of the cartilage tissue around the meibomian gland. Typical localization is the lower eyelid.

The upper eyelid may also be affected, but much less frequently. The skin over the formation is hyperemic and easily dislodged. Often a secondary infection occurs, and then suppuration occurs, followed by opening and release of pus. Chalazion is a long-term, sluggish process that is complicated by granulomas or cysts.

Over the course of several weeks, the process proceeds unnoticed and does not cause any subjective sensations. Later, as the chalazion develops, the patient notes that the lower eyelid hurts. The pain is accompanied by a feeling of a foreign body in the eye.

Visual acuity may drop sharply. Over time, conjunctivitis and keratitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye) develop. This is due to the development of a chalazion towards the eyeball, resulting in irritation of the mucous membrane.

Also, many patients develop fistulas through which the contents of the granuloma reach the surface. Swelling occurs, subsequently the lower eyelid becomes deformed, and a persistent cosmetic defect develops.

Endophthalmos - loss of vision

Endophthalmos causes pain in the lower eyelid.

It is a severe and dangerous pathology in which inflammation develops in the vitreous body.

This happens after injuries and injuries, as well as operations on the eye or against the background of a corneal ulcer. The lower eyelid hurts due to irritation of multiple nerve endings.

The result may be loss of vision.

What to do if your eyelids hurt

When the eyelids hurt, the reasons can be different. Therefore, the treatment in each individual case depends on the etiology and course of the disease that caused pain in the eyelids.

What to do if the eyelids hurt, only an ophthalmologist can decide, which must be contacted without fail.

1. Furuncle, before it opens, it can be treated with dry heat in the form of UV and UHF (up to 5 sessions) and treated around with camphor alcohol. For swelling of the eyelid, you can use water-alcohol compresses. Antibiotics are applied locally in the form of drops into the eyes.

Compresses are contraindicated, because they can contribute to the spread of the infectious process.

In severe cases, systemic antibiotics and vitamin therapy are used.

2. Chalazion treated conservatively in the early stages. The following groups of drugs are used:

Antibiotics;

Anti-inflammatory;

General strengthening;

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment.

A long-term large chalazion after a course of antibiotics is subject to surgical treatment.

3. Endophthalmitis Due to the severity of the disease, he is being treated in a hospital. Treatment is conservative, long-term. If ineffective, surgical methods are used.

The eyes are the most important organ, without which it is difficult to live. Any changes associated with the eyes require immediate contact with an ophthalmologist to avoid complications.