Sharp pain in your eye can be not only uncomfortable but also concerning. In most cases, this type of pain isn’t a cause for concern and can be addressed with at-home treatments. In other cases, you may need to visit your eye doctor for professional care.
The top causes of sharp pain in the eye include:
Foreign Object
One of the most common causes of sharp pain in the eye is simply having debris in the eye. Whether it be dust, dirt, or even an eyelash, debris in the eye can cause pain that worsens when you blink. In most cases, you can remove the debris by flushing your eye with water or saline solution.
If you continue to have sharp pain after removing the debris from your eye, you may have a corneal abrasion, which would require professional care from your eye doctor.
Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses and are experiencing sharp pain in the eye, your contact lenses may have moved or folded in your eye. After washing your hands, try to remove the contact. If you can’t, flush your eye using saline solution and roll your eye until the contact lens is easy to remove.
Dry Eye
A dry eye occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears. It can be caused by various conditions, medications, and even wearing contact lenses.
In some cases, dry eye can cause a sharp stinging or burning sensation. Over-the-counter and prescription eye drops are available for dry eyes.
Uveitis
Uveitis is a type of eye inflammation that affects the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall, known as the uvea. It can cause sharp pain in the eye and typically requires prescription medication from your eye doctor. You may be prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops, corticosteroids, antibiotics, or antiviral medication.
If you’re experiencing sharp pain in the eye that persists despite flushing the eye and removing contact lenses, schedule an appointment at The Eye Clinic of Florida.