pain when i move my eye

[jupiter317]

hi there.

about a week ago, i noticed that my left eye hurt when i looked up and to the right or when i rolled my eyes. but the pain was only bad when looked round really quickly. it got orse over the next few days until yesterday. yesterday there was pain no matter what direction i looked in and no matter how slowly i moved my gaze. the pain was not excrutiating, but enough to make me flinch almost every time. this morning i woke up and the pain is mostly gone, but i do have a headache that seems to be centered behind that eye.

i didn't have any loss of color vision and only notice a really slight blurriness (like not able to read small print on the tv screen from the place i normally sit and street signs seem to need to be a little closer to read). this has happened a few times before. it's generally followed the same course and resolves itself within a week or two.  

the only thing i was able to find online was optic neuritis and i don't think i've got anything close to that. i'm scheduled to go to the eye doctor on saturday, but thought i should try to find out if this is something that might need more immediate attention.  

i apologize if someone else has asked a question like this, but i did see anything in the archives. thanks for any info! :-)

[jupiter317]

i forgot to mention, i'm also waaay sensitive to light during these little "espisode".

thanks again!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You are correct that optic neuritis can cause pain on ocular movement associated with vision loss.  I would pay most attention to your vision. If it is still totally normal, then that is a very good sign.  If vision is worsening, that is a very troublesome sign.  I would make sure you are seen right away by an ophthalmologist.  If the vision is totally normal - that should give you at least a little peace of mind.

MJK MD