Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on June 30, 2020
Do your eyes hurt more often than not? Are you trying to figure out how to treat them?
No one likes experiencing pain, especially eye pain. Your eyes can be sensitive, so it can be difficult to know how to treat pain when it occurs.
Eye pain is a pretty common feeling to experience. There are many different causes and treatments.
Treatments can range from lifestyle changes to medical treatments. Here are 7 things to try if you’re experiencing eye pain.
1. Change the Light
Depending on the activity, sometimes increasing or reducing the amount of light will help. For example, if you are watching TV, decreasing the amount of light might help you feel better.
If you are reading or doing a detail-oriented task, adjusting or increasing the light can help. If you focus the light on the page, you should be able to see clearly and not feel pain or strain.
2. Take Breaks
If you notice that your eyes hurt while reading or looking at a screen for long periods of time, try taking a break. This way you can periodically rest your eyes. Sometimes eye pain can merely be due to eye strain.
3. Reduce Screen Time
Sometimes our eyes can hurt from looking at screens. The pain can be from dry eyes and not blinking enough. If you don’t blink, your eyes will start to dry out.
This can lead to annoying symptoms of dry eye syndrome. When you are using digital devices, practice the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. Make sure what you’re looking at is not a screen, as that will defeat the purpose!
4. Try Artificial Tears
If your eyes hurt, you may want to try using artificial tears or eye drops. Over the counter artificial tears are a great option. Ask your doctor which brand or type they recommend.
Depending on what the cause of your eye pain is, your eye doctor may have recommendations for a brand that treats pain.
5. Make Sure You Have the Right Eyewear
You may experience eye pain if you aren’t wearing the right eyewear. You need to make sure you have the right prescription for your contacts and eyeglasses. Having the wrong prescription can cause eye pain.
6. Apply a Warm Compress
For certain causes of eye pain, a warm compress can help. For example, if you have a stye, a warm compress a few times a day can reduce any pain and help the stye drain. Do not try to pop it yourself, as that can make the infection worse.
7. Apply a Cold Compress
If you have eye pain from conjunctivitis, try applying a cold compress. It should help you feel less pain or discomfort.
If these home remedies do not work, you need to talk with your doctor about other options. Some other options could be prescription eye drops, medication, or surgery.
For some of the causes of eye pain, surgery is an option for treating it. Figuring out the best course of treatment with your doctor is important for maintaining good eye health.
Do you need help treating your eye pain? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Happy Valley, OR now!
