Symptoms, causes and treatments for cramps in the eyes
Content:
- Cramps in the eyes
- Causes of pain in the eyes
- Methods for treating cramps in the eyes
A gash in the eyes is a symptom that certain changes have occurred with the visual apparatus. This feeling of discomfort is most often caused by an eye injury, although there are many other reasons that provoke pain. She, in itself, is not a separate disease, but only indicates vision problems.
Cramps in the eyes
Most often, pain in the eyes does not appear on its own, it is accompanied by a number of symptoms, which include the following:
- Redness of the mucous membrane of the eye.
- Expansion of blood vessels inside the eyeball and on the lower and upper eyelids.
- Lachrymation.
- Photophobia.
- A feeling of discomfort in the eye area.
- Itching.
- Sometimes there is a discharge of pus from the lacrimal canals.
- Peeling may sometimes occur.
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Swelling of the eyelids.
- Sometimes redness affects the iris of the eye.
- Painful sensations.
It is impossible to consider the symptoms of cramps in the eyes separately from the cause that caused it, since the pain itself is already a symptom and in this or that case can be supplemented with concomitant symptoms.
Cut in your eyes like sand
Ophthalmologists often encounter complaints from patients such as the pain in the eyes, similar to the feeling that sand has got into them. Conjunctivitis becomes the cause of such symptoms in 30% of cases. In this case, rinsing the eyes with water does not give a positive effect. Complaints of pain are accompanied by a fear of light, the release of tears and pus, sometimes an increase in body temperature, redness of the eyelids, etc.
It all depends on what caused the conjunctivitis and what is the nature of its origin - bacterial, viral, allergic and fungal:
- Dry eye syndrome - with this pathology, sand in the eye can also be felt. At the same time, changes occur in the properties of the tear film, and it does not fully fulfill its own functions. The syndrome is accompanied by a sensation of pain, irritation from bright light and the inability to strain the eyes, for example, when reading or working at a computer. There are many factors affecting the change in the properties of the tear film - this is the wearing of contact lenses, and excessive stress on vision, and being in a room with dry air, etc.
- The feeling of sand in the eyes can be triggered by some diseases of the anterior parts of the eye. This includes the mentioned conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, blepharitis.
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Sometimes the feeling of grit in the eyes is caused by taking certain medications from the group of antihistamines, drugs for lowering blood pressure, antidepressants.
- Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus at some point can cause a feeling of heaviness and gritty eyes, accompanied by severe pain.
In order to get rid of this feeling of discomfort, it is necessary first of all to find out the cause of its occurrence. It is impossible to do this on your own, so if there is a feeling of sand in the eyes, you need to seek help from an ophthalmologist.
Cutting eyes and tearing
If the pain in the eyes is accompanied by tearing, then this can be caused by a number of factors that are not related to each other.
If such a phenomenon occurs suddenly, then you should pay attention to:
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Environmental factors. Sometimes the discharge of tears, accompanied by pain in the eyes, can be caused by being in frost and strong winds, or by a sharp change in temperature, or when bright sunlight hits the retina. This is due to the fact that in an effort to protect the visual apparatus from damage, the brain sends signals to the lacrimal canals to narrow and secrete a tear to lubricate the eyes. Therefore, a slight ache in the eyes and the appearance of tears under unfavorable or dramatically changing weather conditions is a natural reaction of the body.
- A foreign body that gets inside the eye always causes a feeling of pain in the eyes, and the release of tears, regardless of its size. The tear fluid that appears in large volumes is the body's way of getting rid of a foreign object.
- An allergic reaction to any external stimuli, for example, to pollen of plants or pet hair, always leads to the fact that tears flow profusely from the eyes, they feel a burning sensation and a soreness.
- Acute respiratory illnesses cause pain in the eyes and tears. This is due to the fact that viruses when sneezing and coughing get into the mucous membrane of the eye and irritate it.
- Contact lens wear can cause tearing. This is due to the illiterate selection of the material used to make the lenses, due to the poor-quality solution used to store them.
- Any eye strain - as a result of long time spent at the computer, reading, poor lighting, etc.
- Age-related changes.
- Eye diseases: conjunctivitis, blepharitis, autoimmune diseases.
Causes of pain in the eyes
There are many reasons that can cause cramps in the eyes:
- An inflammatory process. These diseases include conjunctivitis and keratitis. In any case, they are accompanied by redness of the eyelids, the release of tears and a feeling of pain in the eyes. Purulent discharge may or may not be present. In some cases, there is a runny nose and an increase in body temperature. Bacteria, fungi, viruses, allergens can provoke the inflammatory process.
- Blepharitis and uevitis, like diseases affecting the eyelids. Fear of light and tears are often associated symptoms.
- Viral diseases. For example, herpes virus, influenza virus, measles virus, etc.
- Demodectic mange. In this disease, the ciliary sacs are affected. Its pathogens are microscopic mites.
- Poor quality or inappropriate contact lenses.
- Excessive eye strain.
- Trinity neuralgia. This pathology is accompanied by pains not only in the eye area, but also in the entire face, and even in the oral cavity.
- Astigmatism is another cause of eye pain.
- Low-quality cosmetics can provoke a feeling of pain and soreness in the eyes.
- Glaucoma.
- Cyclite.
- Injury to the eye, which includes falling, hitting, or being hit by any foreign object.
- Burns of various origins. This can include burns of thermal origin, such as from steam or hot water, as well as chemical origin, for example, from contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes with household chemicals or a reagent.
- Thyroid pathologies and diseases associated with it can cause cramps in the eyeballs.
- Ingress of tobacco smoke.
- Increase in intraocular pressure caused by problems in neuralgia or of an ophthalmic origin.
- Disorders of the sebaceous glands.
- Corneal ulcers, although rare, are still common.
Methods for treating cramps in the eyes
You should not ignore such a symptom as pain in the eyes, even if it causes minor discomfort. Improper use of eye drops can ultimately lead to serious vision problems. Therefore, if there is pain in the eyes, first of all, you should contact an ophthalmologist. Depending on the cause of the discomfort, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Most often, an examination with an ophthalmoscope is sufficient to determine the pathology. In some more complex cases, it is required to take a sample or smear from the surface of the eye, or scraping from the eyelids. After that, treatment is prescribed.
- Tetracycline ointment. A remedy such as tetracycline ointment has a wide spectrum of action and its use is indicated for corneal burns, conjunctivitis, minor household injuries, as well as diseases caused by bacterial microflora sensitive to the components of the ointment. The doctor decides how long the treatment will last. This remedy can be called universal, since it has no contraindications and side effects.
- Levomycetin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is capable of destroying pathogenic bacteria. It is used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
If the cause of the cramps in the eyes is a symptom of dry eye, then the patient is prescribed special drops that replace the natural tear. They are buried in the conjunctival sac several times a day. However, it is important to consume enough fluid.
These tools include:
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Cationorm is a unique cationic emulsion for moisturizing the eyes, suitable for people with complaints of severe dryness and pain in the eyes, usually manifested in the morning and throughout the day. The drug restores all three layers of the tear film, quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms and prevents the development of dry eye syndrome.
Drops do not contain preservatives and can be used in conjunction with lenses (perfect for those who wear lenses for a long time).
It also helps with other eye diseases: glaucoma, blepharitis, allergic conjunctivitis.
- Ocutiars - eye drops with ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid for quick elimination of cramps and dry eyes that appear in the late afternoon after intense visual work. Ocutiars is stored for 6 months after opening the bottle, does not contain preservatives, it is often used to eliminate discomfort after ophthalmic operations on the cornea. Drops can be used on contact lenses, including, can be used during the habituation period, to facilitate their removal / putting on.
- Oftagel is an eye gel with carbomer in maximum concentration, which moisturizes for a long time, eliminates pain and lacrimation and does not require frequent instillation, in addition, it can be used once at night if it is not possible to instill moisturizing drops during the day.
- Lacrisin
- Clarez
- Oxial
- Vidisik
- Other.
On the subject: 5 methods to relieve eye fatigue
Moisturizing gels such as Korneregel may also be prescribed. If it is required to restore processes at the cellular level, then it is advisable to use Actovegin eye jelly.
An effective remedy for viral damage to the eyeball, as well as for the treatment and prevention of dry eye syndrome, is the drug Oftalmoferon. It can be used in both adult patients and children; it has no side effects.
If it is determined that the pain in the eyes is caused by wearing lenses, then you should more carefully approach their choice. Sometimes, with the development of dry eye syndrome, a person has to completely abandon them and improve their own vision with glasses. Do not neglect this recommendation, as wearing inappropriate lenses will only aggravate eye problems, up to a sharp loss of vision. Alternatively, use lenses made of modern materials.
There are conditions that require a patient with pain in the eyes in an ophthalmological hospital, for example, with serious injuries and burns of the eyes, with a corneal ulcer. In such cases, an integrated approach and, sometimes, surgery are required. This is a complex procedure that requires prompt removal of the damaged area and replacing it with a new one taken from an eye donor. Most often, it is in this way that it is possible to preserve a person's vision.
In order to maximally protect the eyes from all sorts of problems, it is necessary to observe certain precautions and preventive measures, among the main ones are:
- Compliance with the basic rules of personal hygiene, timely hand washing.
- Visit to an ophthalmologist for a vision test. As a preventive measure, it will be enough to get an appointment with a doctor once a year.
- Removal of all cosmetics from face and eyes before resting at night.
- Rest your eyes. This is especially true with excessive eye strain. If possible, eye exercises should be done every hour.
- Protect your eyes from bright sunlight by wearing a hat and dark glasses. The same rule applies not only to sunlight, but artificial light. You should not look at incandescent lamps, headlights at night, at the operation of a welding machine, etc.
- It is necessary to blink as often as possible.
- From an early age, it is important to wean children from touching, let alone rub their eyes with their hands.
- Take vitamins, vitamins A and B2 are especially beneficial for eyesight.
- The night's rest should be complete and consist of at least seven hours.
- If after working at the computer you feel pain in the eyes, it will be advisable to use drops that replace a natural tear.
- If you experience an unexplained feeling of discomfort, decreased vision or pain in the eyes, it is important to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Video: pain and pain in the eyes in the morning.
The author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist
