Should I Be Worried If My Eye Hurts When I Blink?
A common concern that people present with during their routine eye exams or eye health exams is that their eyes hurt when they blink. Experiencing pain when blinking can be more than just a nuisance; it can be a sign of underlying eye health issues. As such, it's always important to contact your optometrist if you feel a sudden change in your eyes.
But why does my eye hurt when I blink?
First off, people blink a lot.
On average, a person blinks about 15-20 times per minute or about 14,400-19,200 times daily.
This rate can vary depending on factors like activity level, environmental conditions, and individual differences. As such, even a minor irritation can quickly become irritating.
Blinking is a natural reflex primarily controlled by a part of the brain called the brainstem, specifically within two areas: the pons and the midbrain.
The Pons: This area of the brainstem plays a key role in initiating the blink reflex. The pons contain the nuclei (clusters of neurons) responsible for the motor control necessary for blinking.
The Midbrain: The midbrain is involved in the automatic response to stimuli that trigger blinking, such as sudden bright lights or objects coming close to the eye.
Additionally, the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher-order functions, can influence blinking. The cerebral cortex influences voluntary blinking, which is under conscious control, and the modulation of the blink reflex based on psychological factors (like stress or concentration).
Thus, the control of the blink reflex is a coordinated effort involving both involuntary (reflexive) and voluntary control, managed by different parts of the brain.
So, what could be causing my eyes to hurt?
The 10 Most Common Causes of Eye Pain When Blinking
Dry Eyes: This is the number one cause of eye pain when blinking. Dry eye occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or the quality of tears is poor, leading to irritation and discomfort when blinking. Dry eyes can cause the nerves on the eyes to be exposed to the wind and air and may trigger a stabbing-like feeling in the eye. Dry eye pain is often the most severe in the morning when working online or when you go outside. Your eyes may even start to water reflexively in response. They may also feel tender when you close your eyes and rub them.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): An inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and eyelid, causing redness, itching, and pain, especially noticeable when blinking. Virus' can damage the outer layer of your eyes and make the eye feel sore.
Blepharitis: An inflammation of the eyelid margins, often causing crustiness, redness, and a burning sensation that can be painful during blinking.
Corneal Abrasion: A scratch on the cornea, the clear surface of the eye, which can be very painful, especially when blinking, as the eyelid rubs against the abrasion and pulls on the skin of the eye. People may feel like they have something stuck in their eye.
Stye or Chalazion: These are infections or inflammations of the eyelid glands, resulting in a painful lump on the eyelid that is sensitive when touched or during blinking. If it's under the eyelid, the whitehead that forms may scratch along the eye. You can check our blog post on How To Get Rid of a Stye Fast if you think this is the problem.
Foreign Body in the Eye: Small particles like dust, sand, metal, or eyelashes can get into the eye, causing pain and discomfort with each blink as the foreign object irritates the eye.
Contact Lens Irritation: Improper use of contact lenses can cause irritation and dryness, making blinking uncomfortable. This is especially true for old, dirty or torn contact lenses. A condition commonly seen in some monthly and 2-week disposable contact lens wears is called GPC or Giant Papillary Conjunctivities, which is basically an allergic reaction to the protein buildup on the contact lenses. Your optometrist may suggest refitting you into a 1-day disposable product or switching your cleaning protocol.
Uveitis: An inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea), causing pain, redness, and blurred vision, often worsening with blinking. Uveitis is often misdiagnosed as a viral or bacterial eye infection. It can only be diagnosed by an eye doctor with the appropriate equipment to examine the eye.
Sinus Infection: Pressure from sinus congestion can lead to discomfort around the eyes, which may be more noticeable when blinking.
Glaucoma: This condition involves increased pressure inside the eye and can cause deep, aching pain, sometimes felt more acutely when blinking. Patients already taking glaucoma medications may develop sore eyes because of corneal toxicity secondary to the eye drops.
When Should You See An Optometrist?
If you're experiencing soreness when blinking and the symptoms persist or worsen over time, it's crucial to schedule an appointment with an optometrist.
Immediate attention is always recommended if you notice changes in your vision, such as cloudiness, the appearance of halos, or foggy vision. These changes could be indicative of underlying eye conditions that need prompt treatment.
Additionally, if the eye discomfort is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like migraines, nausea, vomiting, transient or sudden vision loss, double vision, or if your eyes appear to be bulging or are painful when looking around, these are signs that you should not ignore. Such symptoms could signal more serious health issues, and an optometrist can help determine the cause and provide appropriate care or referrals.
Eye pain is not something you should ignore. Timely intervention is crucial in preventing potential complications and maintaining eye health.
Five At-Home Remedies For Dealing with Eye Pain When You Blink
So you can't wait to see the eye doctor for your eye pain when blinking. There are several remedies you can try at home for fast relief:
Apply a warm compress to your closed eyelids; this can soothe irritation and help with conditions like blepharitis or a stye. See our blog post on How to Use a Bruder Mask.
Ensure you stay hydrated and use over-the-counter artificial tears to combat dry eyes. Stick with major brands like Systane Ultra and Refresh Tears. Refrain from red eye drops like Visine, Clear Eyes, Moisture Eyes and Lumify.
Give your eyes regular breaks from screen time, adopting the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) to reduce strain.
If you wear contact lenses, consider reducing the time you wear them or switching to glasses temporarily, as lenses can sometimes irritate the eyes, especially if they are dry or dirty. If you wear a 2-week or monthly disposable contact lens, we recommend swapping them out for a new pair.
Reduce exposure to irritants like smoke, dust, and strong winds. If necessary, wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes from environmental factors that can exacerbate pain.
Remember, these are temporary measures, and if pain persists, consult an eye care professional like an optometrist for a thorough evaluation. They'll be able to narrow down the cause of the eye pain and may be able to prescribe topical or oral medications to help control the pain. You should never ignore chronic eye pain.
Local Eye Care for Painful Eyes
If your eyes hurt when you blink, please don't hesitate to book an appointment with one of our optometrists; we know it can be frustrating. Most of the time, the cause of the pain is minor and can easily be treated.
As a local eye care clinic in Edmonton servicing the communities of Crestwood, Parkview, Laurier Heights, Glenora, West Jasper Gates, Jasper Park, Lynnwood, Sherwood, Quesnel Heights, and Rio Terrace. The eye doctors at Helio Optometry are always happy to see you for urgent concerns like this. We always keep spots open for same-day urgent eye care. Contact us if you have any questions about eye pain, and our friendly team can assist you with professional advice and treatment. You can also book online after hours.
