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Eye Care (Expert Forum)
severe pain around/behind left eye
Answered by
John C Hagan III, MD, FACS - Ophthalmology
Discover Vision Centers
Kansas City - MO
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
severe pain around/behind left eye
by jellebeans, May 26, 2007 12:00AM
hi,for the past 5 years after banging my head ive suffered daily chronic headaches and many symptom including pain behind my eyes. ive been checked out and docs told me i just have chronic migraines/tension headaches.
however since last week ive had terribble strong pain behind my left eye,it hurts to blink and keeps me awake at nite its such a strong pain it has me in tears.ive been opticians and he said he can see nothing wrong with my eyes. im not convinced this is a migraine pain,its different and very intense pain.ive had it before but its not lasted this long before. any ideas on what can be causing this???? thank you
however since last week ive had terribble strong pain behind my left eye,it hurts to blink and keeps me awake at nite its such a strong pain it has me in tears.ive been opticians and he said he can see nothing wrong with my eyes. im not convinced this is a migraine pain,its different and very intense pain.ive had it before but its not lasted this long before. any ideas on what can be causing this???? thank you
Doctor's Answer
by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, May 26, 2007 12:00AM
, May 26, 2007 12:00AM
Hello jellebeans, Let me deal with your problems in the order you present them. Most ultra-serious causes of 'daily chronic headaches' would have been apparent within five years. 'Migraines' and 'tension headaches' are two entirely different types of headaches and both can usually be helped with appropriate medication. For these problems I would advise seeing a neurologist.
Strong pain in your left eye that hurts when you blink and that keeps you awake at night is not normally due to 'tension' headache or 'migraine' headaches. The most common cause would be the recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. This is where a small but very sensitive part of your cornea (the clear membrane over the iris and pupil) is either diseased (basement membrane disorder) or has been injured and healed poorly or your eyelids separate just a little when you sleep causing the cornea to dry and split.
Helping you would start with a proper examination and treatment. I would suggest you make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist (EyeMD). Request a complete medical eye examination and mention your pain at night and that you have been told you may have recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Ask to be checked for dry eyes (Schirmer Test) and exposure keratitis (fluoroscene staining).
I believe both of your problems can be helped and that you should see a neurologist and an ophthalmologist.
Good luck.
JCH MD
Strong pain in your left eye that hurts when you blink and that keeps you awake at night is not normally due to 'tension' headache or 'migraine' headaches. The most common cause would be the recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. This is where a small but very sensitive part of your cornea (the clear membrane over the iris and pupil) is either diseased (basement membrane disorder) or has been injured and healed poorly or your eyelids separate just a little when you sleep causing the cornea to dry and split.
Helping you would start with a proper examination and treatment. I would suggest you make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist (EyeMD). Request a complete medical eye examination and mention your pain at night and that you have been told you may have recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Ask to be checked for dry eyes (Schirmer Test) and exposure keratitis (fluoroscene staining).
I believe both of your problems can be helped and that you should see a neurologist and an ophthalmologist.
Good luck.
JCH MD
