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

The eye is a very vulnerable and delicate organ. Its natural defenses are the eyelids, tears and eyelashes. If you notice that your eyelid hurts, in no case do not leave this symptom unattended.

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

It hurts the upper or lower eyelid of the eye: possible causes

Doctors identify the following reasons why the upper eyelid of the eye 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. Also, pain may appear due to inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and lacrimal canal.

Soreness of the upper or lower eyelid of the eyes is a symptom of such diseases:

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

Erysipelatous inflammation is caused by the ingress of staphylococcus aureus through injured skin. The appearance of barley provokes Staphylococcus aureus. Shingles is caused by the herpes virus. The most common cause of an abscess of the eyelid is the entry of bacteria into the wound surface of the eyelid. Also, tissue infection can appear during purulent processes in the sinuses.

The development of phlegmon can provoke the development of barley, ulcerative blepharitis, boils and inflammation of the sinuses. The most common cause of conjunctivitis doctors call plant pollen and ordinary dust. Demodicosis causes the presence of a tick 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 soreness can be hidden in diseases such as chalazion, corneal ulcer, endophthalmitis and others. To determine why the eyelid hurts, if discomfort appears in the eye area, you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist.

The eyelid hurts: a drug solution to the problem

The most common disease in ophthalmology is barley.

Inflammation in the eye is suppressed with the help of such antibacterial drops:

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

This drug relieves inflammation from 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 hands, as you can spread the infection. Sometimes when instilled with Albucid, there is a burning sensation or tingling 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's age up to eighteen years;
• period of pregnancy and lactation.

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

Inflammation of the eyelid can be removed by such 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 barley.

If the eyelid hurts inside, pour half a glass of dried cucumber peel with one hundred milliliters of boiled water. When the composition is 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.

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

With conjunctivitis, barley and redness of the 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 over it. Infused decoction is used for lotions and eyewashes.

Prevention of eye diseases

To prevent eye diseases, ophthalmologists recommend the following rules:

Any eye disease, the symptoms of which are soreness and redness of the eyelids, pose a danger to vision and require immediate competent treatment. A disease detected in the initial stages is faster and better treated. 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 ophthalmic pathologies. Among the most common are conjunctivitis, myositis, iridocyclitis, blepharitis. Pain in the eye, when a person blinks, may appear in the presence of foreign bodies in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe 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 can't get rid of pain with just one medicine.

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 is more common 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 the disease develops:

1. Infectious. It develops against the background of bacteria (chlamydia, streptococci, staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae), viruses, fungal microorganisms.
2. Non-infectious. 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;
• sensation 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, fever, joint and headaches, swollen lymph nodes.

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

Treatment can be done at home. But at the same time, do not forget that conjunctivitis is a contagious disease. It can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one.

Therefore, if the treatment is carried out at home, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene.

Complications:

• blepharitis;
• keratitis;
• canaliculitis;
• chronic form of conjunctivitis.

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

1. bacterial inflammation. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial eye drops, rubbing solutions and ointments are prescribed. The most common drugs: Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Brulamycin, Tobrex, Betamethasone, Oftadek, Albucid. Chlamydia, gonococcal and other complex types of inflammation are treated in each individual case.
2. Viral conjunctivitis. Eye treatment with furacilin solution and preparations: Gludantan, Poludan, Oftadek, Dexamethasone, Sofradex, Floresan, Vigamox, Floksal, Ciprofloxacin.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis. Treatment is carried out with antihistamine drops: Ketotifen, Azelastine, Allergodil, Olopatadine.

A pathology characterized by emerging edema, pain during blinking, which are chaotic.

Causes:

Symptoms:

• sore eyeball;
• pain in the upper and lower eyelids;
• headache;
• limited mobility of the pupil or its absence at all;
• the muscles of the eye become dense, pain is observed not only when blinking, but also on palpation;
• the mucous membrane becomes gray, loses its natural luster.

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

Treatment:

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

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

Blepharitis, iridocyclitis

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

Blepharitis

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

Causes:

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

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

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

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

Diagnosis is made by biomicroscopy. Treatment of pathology is quite long. Locally prescribed anti-allergic drops, corticosteroid ointments. With ulcerative blepharitis, which develops against the background of bacteria, antibiotic therapy is required. Treatment of blepharitis caused by ticks is carried out with anti-tick drugs. For some types of pathology, a special massage of the eyelids 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, nasopharyngeal 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 signs:

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

• smoothness of the iris pattern;
• constricted pupil;
• pupil shape is wrong.

Pathology is diagnosed on the basis of a conversation with the patient, biomicroscopy techniques. Treatment is carried out only in stationary conditions. The main goal of therapy is to reduce the inflammatory process. Depending on the causes of the pathology, antibacterial, 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 improperly fitted glasses or contact lenses. With a large diopter difference between the eyes, as a rule, very strong discomfort develops. After a while, it develops into pain, which is localized in the eyeball, aggravated by blinking. And in most cases, a headache develops. To get rid of such sensations, you should visit an optometrist who will help correct the situation.
• Eye fatigue. Pain during blinking is a sign of visual fatigue. Especially often this symptom appears in people who are at the computer for a long time or work with papers. Visual stress is very harmful to the eyes. Dry eye syndrome is a pathology that is characterized by rapid drying of the mucous membranes of the eyeball. Occurs due to fatigue 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, drops.

• Foreign bodies in the eye. When grains of sand, small debris, dust, or an insect get in, a person feels not only pain, but also severe pain when blinking. It is not recommended to remove foreign bodies on your own, as the mucous membrane can be damaged. It is better to immediately contact an optometrist. It is imperative to visit a doctor if metal chips or other hard objects get into the eye. The doctor will remove the item and prescribe treatment with Levomycetin, Albucid.
• Barley. This pathology is a purulent inflammation, which is localized in the sebaceous gland on the lower or upper eyelid. The reason is a harmful bacterial infection. There is swelling, redness, fever, and pain when blinking. Treatment involves the use of ointments and drops with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
• Halazion. Benign tumor on the lower and upper eyelids. It develops as a result of chronic inflammation of the cartilage gland of the eyelid. In most cases, it can only be treated with surgery. 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, frontal sinusitis) is also accompanied by pain when blinking. This is explained by the too close location of the sinuses to the eyes. But in this case, you should not contact the ophthalmologist, but the ENT.
• Neuritis. Inflammation of the optic nerve. There are no changes in the eyeball area, but there is severe pain when a person blinks. It is fraught with a significant decrease in visual acuity. Requires immediate treatment.
• Canaliculitis. Inflammatory process in the lacrimal ducts. Pain in the corner of the eye. Therapy involves the use of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drops.
• Furuncle. The eyelid hurts, redness is observed. The eyelid is sealed, the furuncle looks like a cone with a purulent top. Treatment is with antibiotics and ointments.

• Abscess of the century. The eyelid is sealed, it hurts. Painful sensations can radiate to the corner of the eye, lower and upper eyelids. There is swelling, redness and drooping of the upper eyelid. An abscess often develops in the upper eyelid. At the same time, it hurts to blink.
• Partial, complete obstruction of the lacrimal ducts. It is not only painful to blink. There is active lacrimation, discomfort in the corner of the eye. It is treated surgically.
• Dacryocystitis. Inflammation of the lacrimal sac. It hurts to blink, and the pain gives 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-treatment is not necessary.

Many begin to wash their eyes with herbal tinctures, 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 "frame" to which very thin and elastic skin is attached. Due to the ability to significant extensibility, the eyelid easily gathers into folds, and just as easily straightens, gently covering the eyeball. The high mobility of the skin fold contributes to the movement of the traumatic object between the eyelid and the eye.

The eyelid has almost no fat layer, and the fiber is loose, edema is easily formed here during infectious processes or due to disorders of the cardiovascular, 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 secret of these glands is to prevent the transfusion of tear fluid over the edge of the eyelid, to keep it in the tear lake. In this way, the skin around the eye is protected from constant irritation and maceration and the cornea of ​​the eye is moisturized.

The movement of the eyelids is provided by the circular 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 with the help of the facial, oculomotor and cervical sympathetic nerves.

The eyelids have a good blood supply, the highest density of the vascular network is at a distance of 2 mm from the edge of the eyelid. Arterial supply occurs due to 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 eyelid, in particular.

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

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

Pain as a symptom of systemic diseases

The eye hurts against the background of an injury, when there is an obvious or hidden damage to the eyeball. The wound can be both from the outside, with penetration through the tissue of the eyelid, and 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. Pain may be aggravated by blinking as the traumatic particle moves.

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

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

Pain in the formation of edema is due to the pressure formed by the volume of fluid on the numerous nerve endings in the eyelids.

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

Sobbing makes tear fluid profusely stand out, and with it salts that irritate the skin of the eyelids. Also, due to the injection of intracranial pressure during crying, blood flows abundantly to the eyes, vascular permeability increases, and a large amount of fluid enters the intercellular space. Therefore, after crying, a person usually has swollen eyelids, which can be irritated and hurt.

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

The eyelids also hurt with inflammation of the nerves that innervate them (neuritis), or the muscles that set them in motion (myositis). Among the causes of this category, it is worth noting the defeat of the trigeminal nerve by herpes viruses. Since the nerve is affected, the soreness of the eyelids will have a piercing, cutting character. Gradually, along the course of the nerve, including on the skin of the eyelid, redness, swelling and characteristic small rashes will appear.

Eyelid involvement in systemic herpes

Common blood vessels with the sinuses contribute to the rapid inflammation of the eyelid with colds and runny nose. Tonsillitis is especially dangerous, since they are 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. Edema, 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 smallest violation of the smoothness and integrity of the cornea is perceived as a painful sensation of a mote in the eye. Therefore, it is painful to press on the eye through the eyelid with keratitis, ulceration on the cornea, with its 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 body and anterior chambers of the eye (endophthalmitis) eventually affects the integumentary layers, conjunctiva and eyelids. The eyeball becomes soft from the pus filling it, the eyelids swell, redden and hurt a lot.

The infection is most often introduced with a penetrating wound of the eye, it can be bacterial, viral or fungal in nature. Less commonly, the pathogen enters the eye from the blood in the presence of an infectious source in the body.

Inflammatory processes

From practice, you can see 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 in the lower one. Secondly, by reflexively closing, the eyelid is the first to take on any hostile effect - be it a chemical, an insect bite, dirt or strong gusts of wind. Thirdly, if a person has a sore or itchy eye, 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 group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Infection occurs upon 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 an eyelid injury. After 12 hours, burning and arching pain begins. The eyelid is redder and swollen, its skin is hot to the touch, and is separated from the rest of the cover by a painful skin roller. Small pinpoint hemorrhages may appear.

Sty

The eyelid can also hurt due to inflammation formed along its ciliary edge (in the common people - barley). Clinically, it is inflammation of a clogged sebaceous gland or cilia hair follicle. The most common culprit is Staphylococcus aureus. A weakened state of immunity, general malaise contribute to the development of infection. The abscess can be one or several at once. At the same time, the eyelid hurts, itches, reddens and swells. With the external form of barley, against the background of redness, a purulent head of a whitish or yellowish color is clearly visible. The soreness of the eyelid stops abruptly with spontaneous opening of the abscess. But there is barley and internal form, 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 disease of the eyelid - 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 are formed in the area of ​​​​the eyebrows 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. At the same time, large edema is formed around the focus of inflammation, which can cover the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe orbits and nose.

The presence of a purulent rod 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 aggravation of barley, boils, blepharitis, purulent processes in the sinuses or eye socket. Differs in an extensive area of ​​purulent inflammation. The eyelid in this case is sharply hyperemic, edematous. Pain is present even at rest, and even more so during palpation of the eyelid. Infectious intoxication causes general weakness, headache, and possibly an increase in 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 its diffuse purulent inflammation - phlegmon, which differs from an abscess in the absence of clear boundaries. The pain at the same time increases many times with blinking, moving the eyelid. Pathogens enter the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelid through damage or from foci of infection in the body.

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

halazion

Another structure of the eyelid, which can give a feeling of pain when diseased, is its cartilage. Its inflammation - chalazion - is palpable as a dense elastic "pea". The disease is similar to "barley", but differs in the chronic nature of the course. Blockage of the excretory ducts of the glands with sluggish inflammation and forms a seal on the cartilage. The skin is not soldered to it and easily shifts to the side. Usually, a chalazion is a mildly painful formation, but if a bacterial infection joins and purulent inflammation develops, then 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, SARS, dirty hands, or congenital increased secretion of the glands, which leads to their blockage.

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

With simple blepharitis, the skin of the eyelids is thickened along their edge, and the epithelium is desquamated along the eyelash growth 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 on the body is called rosacea. Its symptoms are small reddish nodules with pustules, which pour out profusely on the eyelids.

Various infections that chronically occur in the body, decreased immunity, beriberi, allergies, difficult living and working conditions, and polluted air can lead to blepharitis.

demodicosis

Pain in the eyelids can also be of a different origin - non-infectious. For example, a microscopic demodex mite settles and conducts its vital activity in their thickness. It lives in the hair follicle and sebaceous glands, feeding on their secret. The eyelids hurt from skin irritation with the waste products of the tick. At the same time, their redness and unbearable itching are noted, red or pink pimples periodically appear.

Non-infectious causes

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

Eyelids hurt with eye strain

Insufficient lighting, prolonged eye work cause the eye muscles to be in tension and thereby reduce blood flow in the structures of the eye. The accumulated metabolic products and intercellular fluid create a feeling of "heaviness" and soreness in the eyelids. Similar sensations arise if a person has a lack of night sleep and a general fatigue of the nervous system.

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

Note!

• In case of infectious diseases of the eyelids, in no case should the pustules be warmed up.
• Barley, pimples, boils, any formations on the eyelid should not be squeezed out and pierced.
• With soreness of the eyelids, it is worthwhile to postpone 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 can “lubricate” the picture of the disease and make it difficult to establish a diagnosis.

In most cases, if the eyelids hurt, the best solution is to see a doctor. Since infectious diseases in the face 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 reasons why eyelids hurt. The doctor will be able to identify the factors of the occurrence of diseases, determine the correct treatment strategy. The eyelid can get sick in people regardless of the age category to which the person belongs. Soreness of the eyelids is a sign of various eye diseases. The role of the eyelids is mostly protective. When blinking, the mucous membrane of the eyes (conjunctiva) is moistened with a tear secretion. Eyelashes growing on the eyelids protect the eyes from dust, small foreign particles. Pathologies of the eyelids limit their functionality, the eye may suffer. An ophthalmologist should deal with the treatment of diseases.

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

Diseases of one or more of these structures of the eye at the same time are often manifested by such a symptom as pain. Other signs of eyelid pathologies are tearing, “grains of sand” in the eyes, heaviness, twitching, swelling of the eyes (edema).

So, why does the aforementioned structure of the auxiliary apparatus of the eyes cause soreness?

Common causes of eyelid pain (upper, lower, or both):

1. Blepharitis.
2. Erysipelatous inflammation of the eyes.
3. Conjunctivitis of various etiologies.
4. Dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis - inflammation of the lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac, respectively.
5. Episcleritis is an inflammatory process affecting the area between the conjunctiva and the sclera.
6. Endophthalmitis.
7. "Barley" on the eye.
8. Purulent diseases of different parts of the eye (furuncle, abscess, phlegmon).

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

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

How do diseases of the eyelids manifest themselves?

For blepharitis:

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

The pathological process can affect the upper or lower eyelids.

Treatment begins with the elimination of the cause of the disease. It is most often a staphylococcal infection. Additional causes of blepharitis: beriberi, poor hygiene, visual pathology, conjunctivitis, various local irritants. Therapy includes the appointment of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs.

"Style" is an acute, purulent inflammation of the hair follicle or sebaceous gland located on the eyelids. The reason is the penetration of the provocateur bacteria into the tissue.

Predisposing factors for the development of the disease:

• low immunity;
• chronic focus 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 tissues around it, and swelling. In severe cases, if the barley is multiple, there are signs of intoxication, an increase in regional lymph nodes. After about two days, an abscess appears at the site of inflammation. When it opens, pus and dead cells will come out of it. Barley is dangerous with complications (phlegmon of the orbit, abscess, meningitis).

Treatment in uncomplicated cases is local. Apply antibacterial eye drops, ointments. "Dry" heat, physiotherapy are used. It is forbidden to make compresses, lotions, squeeze barley.

The cause of the chalazion is the blockage of the canaliculus of the eyelid gland, the accumulation of secretion by it. Accompanied by tissue growth. The process proceeds 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 in the affected eyelid, pain appears, a sensation of a foreign object, visual acuity may decrease. Due to the mechanical impact of the granule, the conjunctiva, the cornea become inflamed, the eyelid is deformed.

Conservative treatment is appropriate in the early stages of the disease. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory therapy, massage, 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 aureus. The disease begins acutely, after minor damage to the skin of the eyelid and the introduction of a microscopic provocateur. There is severe soreness of the affected eyelid, redness, swelling. The eyelid tissues affected by the infection are sharply defined, their edges are raised.

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

It happens as a result:

• eye injuries;
• corneal ulcers;
• complication of ophthalmic operations.

It is manifested by severe pain, decreased vision, swelling of the cornea. This disease is treated only in a hospital.

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

• furuncle of the eyelid - begins with redness, painful cone-shaped seal with a purulent core;
• eyelid abscess - also begins with a dense formation, swelling, pain, hyperemia. There is a drooping of the eyelid (the upper movable eyelid is more often affected), severe headache;
• century phlegmon - there is diffuse hyperemia, induration, soreness, hyperthermia. Possible causes of phlegmon: barley, infected eye injury, blepharitis.

Pathological conditions require the immediate prescription of antibiotics, symptomatic therapy. Sometimes surgery cannot be avoided.

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

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

Eye damage seriously affects the 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 - the structures that protect the eyes, consist of several layers of cells:

• epithelial;
• fatty;
• muscular.

There are also "islands" of glandular tissue that secrete a special secret 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 eyelid - up to 30, their excretory openings are located behind the base of the eyelashes. The oily lubrication of the eyelids is secreted from the openings of the meibomian glands.

Eyelids perform the following functions:

Take part in the outflow of lacrimal fluid;

Protect the eye from foreign particles and dust;

Protect the eyeball from injury.

Eyelids hurt - causes

Eyelids hurt often due to disorders in one or more structures, so the main causes are:

Furuncle;

Abscess;

Halazion;

Dacryocystitis;

Shingles;

Demodicosis;

Bacterial, fungal and viral infections;

Allergy;

Traumatic damage to the eye (in this case, the eyelid above the eye is swollen, sore 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 medicines, dust, smoke, cosmetics, cold, wind.

Often the occurrence of an inflammatory process, as a result of which the eyelids hurt, is combined with a violation of refraction (astigmatism, myopia, hypermetropia).

Infectious eye diseases cause not only damage to health, but are also fraught with complications. Untreated infections lead to clouding of the cornea and loss of vision. The pathogen enters the eyes through hands, a handkerchief, 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 experienced these unpleasant sensations at least once in their life. Pathology develops regardless of age. Most often people from 40 to 70 years old are affected.

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

Depending on the localization, 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 with 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, appear:

hyperemia of the eyelid;

Puffiness of it;

Sharp soreness in the region of the eyelid.

At the same time, the eyelids of the eyes hurt a lot: depending on the localization of the process, the lower eyelid hurts (the most common option), but there are other cases when the upper eyelid is affected and hurts. From healthy skin, the affected part of the eyelid is separated 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 - sore eyelids

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

Barley causes sharp pain in the upper and lower eyelids, which are equally often affected. It is caused by staphylococcus, appears in people with reduced immunity as a result of hypothermia, beriberi, endocrine pathology.

The first sign of barley is eyelid edema. At the same time, unpleasant sensations arise in the eye, and with a slight pressure, the eyelids of the eyes hurt. Later, hyperemia appears, purulent discharge occurs. Accompanied by barley:

A sharp increase in temperature;

Intense headaches;

Enlarged lymph nodes.

Barley can recur and give 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, barley opens on its own or disappears before reaching this stage.

Abscess - sore 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.

In the future, hyperemia and drooping of the affected eyelid develops.

The entire period while the abscess develops, rather the eyelid hurts, and excruciating headaches bother.

Phlegmon - possible meningitis

Phlegmon of the orbit and lacrimal sac is accompanied by:

intoxication;

Hyperemia of the skin of the eyelid;

conjunctivitis;

Consolidation in the inner corner of the eye or exophthalmos with restriction of the 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 fever, diplopia (double vision) may occur.

With the rapid progression of the disease, urgent medical care is needed due to a 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

Halazion (hailstone)- proliferative (with tissue proliferation) inflammation of the cartilage 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, easily displaced. Often a secondary infection joins, and then suppuration occurs, followed by an opening and the release of pus. Chalazion is a long sluggish process, which is complicated by granulomas or cysts.

Within a few weeks, the process goes unnoticed, does not cause any subjective sensations. In the future, 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 develop (inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea). This is due to the development of a chalazion towards the eyeball, as a result of which the mucous membrane is irritated.

Also, in many patients, fistulas form, through which the contents of the granuloma enter the surface. Edema occurs, further the lower eyelid is deformed, 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 can be loss of vision.

What to do if your eyelids hurt

When eyelids hurt, the reasons may 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. With eyelid edema, water-alcohol compresses can be used. Topical antibiotics are applied in the form of eye drops.

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

antibiotics;

Anti-inflammatory;

general strengthening;

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment.

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

3. Endophthalmitis due to the severity of the disease is treated in the hospital. Treatment is conservative, long-term. When ineffective, surgical methods are used.

Eyes are the most important organ without which it is hard to live. Any changes associated with the eyes require immediate referral to an ophthalmologist to avoid complications.