Eye pain when moving the eye is a common symptom with a variety of possible causes, ranging from mild to serious conditions.
Common Causes
- Eye Strain and Fatigue: Prolonged exposure to screens or reading in poor light can fatigue the eye muscles and lead to pain when moving the eyes.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation or infection of the sinuses can cause pain around and behind the eyes, especially noticeable when moving them.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Insufficient lubrication of the eyes can result in discomfort and pain during movement.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions often cause inflammation, resulting in eye pain on movement.
- Foreign Body or Injury: A foreign object or injury to the eye’s surface can cause sharp pain, worsened on movement.
- Eye Diseases: Conditions like conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outer eye), keratitis (corneal inflammation), and more serious tissue infections can all cause discomfort.
Serious Causes
- Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve often leads to deep, aching pain aggravated by eye movement and may include vision changes; this requires urgent medical attention.
- Migraines and Headaches: These can cause eye pain or pressure, especially during attacks.
- Glaucoma: Although less common as a cause of pain on movement, acute glaucoma can cause severe eye pain and should be ruled out.
When to Seek Help
See a medical professional immediately if your eye pain:
- Is severe or sudden
- Occurs with vision changes, significant redness, swelling, or discharge
- Follows trauma or a chemical exposure
- Is accompanied by fever or neurological symptoms (weakness, numbness, confusion)
Summary Table
Cause| Typical Symptoms
---|---
Eye strain/fatigue| Mild pain, often after screen use or reading15
Sinusitis| Pain with head movements, nasal symptoms39
Dry eye| Grittiness, burning, worse with movement3
Optic neuritis| Deep pain, vision changes, color issues47
Allergies| Redness, itching, watery discharge14
Injury/Foreign body| Sharp pain, tearing, inability to open eye110
If the pain is persistent, severe, or associated with vision issues, consult an eye doctor or healthcare provider promptly.
