16 Year old - Eye strain for 3 months.

Hello folks.

I'm a 16 year old male and for the past 3 months I've had a dull ache at the back of my eyes which will some times give me very bad head aches.

At the moment I'm putting this down to eye strain as I like to play video games alot and I spend alot of time at the computer. (I don't wear glasses and I've never been told that I should wear glasses, however I haven't been to the opticians for about 5 years.)

In a bit more detail.... When I wake up in the morning I usually always wake up with a dull ache behind me eye balls and it'll be there all day and night, taking paracetomol doesn't usually take the pain away and some times they will produce into very bad headaches and the pain will some times go to different parts of my head but the majority of times the pain stays in the back of my eyes and it's usually dull but very annoying as I find it difficult to concentrate on anything.

I do spend alot of time at the computer but I'm not sure if concentrating on a screen on a screen can give you eye pain, I suppose I could have eye strain, but isn't pain in the eyes for 3 months a bit too long for eye strain to last?

Any tips/advice/information would be superb.

Thanks very much.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your pain is NOT suggestive of eye problems. The eyes are most rested when you wake up in the morning and pain on awakening is not at all likely to be the eye (unless its the shape eye pain of recurrent corneal erosion).

You should see your personal physician for a comprehensive physicial examination and to begin a headache work-up.

To aid your personal physician you should see an Eye MD ophthalmologist physician for a complete eye exam with a formal visual field.

JCH III MD

[Cined]

Hello and thanks for your reply.

I was thinking it was eye strain all along but I guess I'm wrong, I just really really hope this is nothing serious, I'm getting extremley worried now.

I also get some pressure in the bridge of my nose, maybe my eye pain could be linked to Sinusitis?

Thanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Could be sinus especially if you "stop up" at night and find yourself awakening breathing through your mouth. The eyes are surrounded by sinus cavities.

JCH III MD

[Cined]

Thanks for your reply again.

I don't usually awake at night with what you said. I looked on the internet and found some brain tumor symptoms although my symptoms don't really match what I read.

So I'm all out of idea on what this problem could be... I still think it's eye strain as I spend 14+ hours a day infront of a computer screen.

I will book an appointment with my GP soon however there's a 1 month wait so it looks like I need to sit through this annoying pain.

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Cined]

Hello, all's I can see in your above comment is '-----------', maybe it's a forum error or something.

I'm wondering if you could please suggest me some eye drops that may ease the pain if the problem is eye strain?

Thanks very much.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The only drops that are available that might stop some discomfort are artificial tears and those will only help dry eyes.

JCH III MD

[Cined]

Hello and thanks for your reply again.

I took a paracetomol today and thankfully it took the pain away for a little bit which is a good sign... Going to have to wait 1 month before I can see my GP so it's going to be very worrying for me.

Thanks for all of your help.