scratced eye

[clhodgins]

Why do i have  sharp, sudden pains in my eye at night? it takes hours to regain a comfortable state.  My daughter scratched my eye about 4 months ago but it only bothers me at night...how do i make the night time pains stop?

[clhodgins]

Thank you so much for your replies!!  God Bless you!!  i have an appointment for tomorrow....

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Probably a good idea to have it checked out.  When it is bothering you would be the best time.  Doctor might be able to see the corneal erosion if that's what you have.

MJK MD

[clhodgins]

well last night it didnt bother me...well i had dry eyes but no pain....i rested  my eyes for a couple days and that seemed to help ...do you think i should still go see my doc?  or just wait till the next episode?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

A corneal problem can cause not only pain and light sensitivity but also blurred vision.  A recurrent erosion fits your symptoms.  The old abrasion never heals exactly right and the corneal epithelial cells don't always stick down to the basement membrane and can be easily brushed off again with lots of pain, tearing, light sensitivity.  The classic situation is where patient goes to bed and in the night eye gets dry and inside of eyelid almost sticks to cornea.  Then when you away and open eyelid it seems to actually pull the epithelial cells off again and back you go to square one.  Heals in a few days and whole episode can happen again in a few months.  Some people have success with Muro 128 ointment 5% at bedtime instead of lacrilube type ointments.  I'm not sure but this could be your situation.

MJK MD

[clhodgins]

one more thing....when i have an "episode"..my eyes are very sensitive to light and i cant open my eyes or focus to see.....is that a red flag ?

[clhodgins]

thank you for your reply..i do however sleep with the fan on and i use lacrilube.  What is causing my eye to do this?  It feels like the cut hasnt healed...almost like it catches the cut when my eyes move and pulls it.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Lubricate  eyes at bedtime with refresh pm ointment (also lacrilube, moistureyes pm, duralube) and this should help.  Use lots of lubricant drops in the day (like refresh tears, or optive, or systane.)  No ceiling fan in your room at night - they can aggrevate eyes.  Also, you might sleep with eyes open a little - very common.  Have ophthalmologist see you to evaluate cornea.  

MJK MD