Re: chronic eye pain

Posted By CCF Neurology - AY on September 03, 1998 at 06:52:23:

In Reply to: chronic eye pain posted by nancy on August 31, 1998 at 15:34:36:






i do not know if i am in the right category, but i'm willing to try anything. over the last few years, i have been experiencing 'knife-like' pains in either and sometimes both eyes. the episodes are increasing and are lasting for two and three days. when this happens, i cannot go near the outdoors, i keep all blinds shut, cannot go near the tv or computer monitor. it usually starts in the morning, waking up to sharp pains in either eye. it is very painful, making it very hard to see my way to the bathroom. i have become very proficient at feeling my way around the bedroom. stress, alot of computer work or alot of sunlight seem to invite an episode within 24 hours.
i have gone to emergency a few times over the years, they get frustrated with me because they insist i open my eyes so they can look in - but by the time i go to emergency, i can't open my eyes no matter how hard i try. also, i have been to three optomertists, they cannot find any thing wrong. one thinks i have migraines, but i do not get headaches until a few days of no sleep due to the pain.
everyone seems to have an opinion - from allergies to stress.
i also seem to be fighting fatigue alot lately and my fingers get swollen.
i am a female, 47 years old, no surgies, no medicatations.
any guidance on what could be going on would be greatly appreciated.
thank you






Thanks for the question.  Some of the symptoms described in your messages
are associated with cluster headaches - namely, sharp pain in/behind eye(s),
always occurring at a certain time of the day.  However other significant
elements in your profile are not typical of a cluster headache:  usually
cluster headaches are seen in young man; each pain episode usually lasts
hours (but not day) - they will repeat several times within a span of
several days, hence the name "cluster"; usually pain is unilateral, and
on that particular side, patients can also describe "red eye", congested
or "runny" nose; in contrast to migraine patients, "cluster" patients do
not seek a dark/quiet room - they are usually highly irritable, "pacing
the room".
Despite the investigation that you already had, I would still strongly
recommend that you be seen by a neuro-ophtalmologist and a neurologist
or a physician specialized in headaches.
If you live near the Cleveland area, the Cleveland Clinic's Headache Center
has a group of neurologists specialized in headaches (Drs. Gretter, Kunkel,
and Yuska-Mays).  If you wish an appointment at the Department of Neurology at the Cleveland
Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE, or 1-216-444-5559.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.