Aa
eye and head pain
Here is my question, about a week ago I was on the computer and all of a sudden zap! This sharp fast shooting pain shoots through my right eye. Then about 15 minutes later zap! Again, the shooting pain through the eye so sharp that it makes me close my eye for a minute, now I am usualy only on my computer for less then a hour a day so I dont think its that. I am not working so I dont have health insurance, I called a eye doctor to see how much one visit would be and it was 225 dollars! There is no way I can afford that.
Now prior to this episode I used to wake up at night with a scratching burning pain in my eyes it felt like they were
stuck..thats the only way I can describe it and when I moved my eye it felt like I was tearing it. That kind of went away(it happens once in a while) but still when I wake up either in the night or morning my eyes are sore and its hard to open them they are burning and hurt for a while and it goes away.
Im not sure if that has anything to do with the stabbing thing. The stabbing pains happend about a week ago and about 4 days ago it happend once more very sharp fast pain that makes me close my eyes. Now over a week later, my right eye (same eye) is sore and hurts when I rub my eye or press on my eye, there are intermitant shooting/electrical pains in my eye but they are in no way the same severity of the the first few episodes I call them mini shocks because they are shorter in duration and less severe then the original ones.(sometimes they even come when my eyes are closed) and the whites of my eye is slightly red although this could be from me rubbing it.
Another thing is the right side of my head is sore and my right temple hurts badly when I move my eye, raise my eybrow,roll my eyes, blink or squint. My temple and head hurt on that side, Im really scared its something like optical neuralgia (too many google searches) Nothing seems to be blurry and my actual eyeball does not hurt when i move it. I dont know if this matters but I have also been nauseated.
Now prior to this episode I used to wake up at night with a scratching burning pain in my eyes it felt like they were
stuck..thats the only way I can describe it and when I moved my eye it felt like I was tearing it. That kind of went away(it happens once in a while) but still when I wake up either in the night or morning my eyes are sore and its hard to open them they are burning and hurt for a while and it goes away.
Im not sure if that has anything to do with the stabbing thing. The stabbing pains happend about a week ago and about 4 days ago it happend once more very sharp fast pain that makes me close my eyes. Now over a week later, my right eye (same eye) is sore and hurts when I rub my eye or press on my eye, there are intermitant shooting/electrical pains in my eye but they are in no way the same severity of the the first few episodes I call them mini shocks because they are shorter in duration and less severe then the original ones.(sometimes they even come when my eyes are closed) and the whites of my eye is slightly red although this could be from me rubbing it.
Another thing is the right side of my head is sore and my right temple hurts badly when I move my eye, raise my eybrow,roll my eyes, blink or squint. My temple and head hurt on that side, Im really scared its something like optical neuralgia (too many google searches) Nothing seems to be blurry and my actual eyeball does not hurt when i move it. I dont know if this matters but I have also been nauseated.
I just want to take the time to say thank you for that very long, very helpful answer.
I never mentioned the injury because it was 5 years ago and I just didnt think it could be related. I bought very good ,very expensive eye drops and a gel for night and am going to use them, if that works great! If not then I will go to the doctor, I will eat bologna for a month but hey, it IS my eyes! :) Again, thanks for the very time consuming thoughtful answer.
It did help.
I never mentioned the injury because it was 5 years ago and I just didnt think it could be related. I bought very good ,very expensive eye drops and a gel for night and am going to use them, if that works great! If not then I will go to the doctor, I will eat bologna for a month but hey, it IS my eyes! :) Again, thanks for the very time consuming thoughtful answer.
It did help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most sharp stabbing suddenly there suddenly gone pain in the eye is from the cornea. With this extra bit of information you supply about the injury its extremely likely you have recurrent cornea erosion snydrome. This is some information on how you can treat yourself:
You have "recurrent corneal erosion syndrome". The condition is common and will not destroy your sight or cause serious loss of vision. It has been discussed in the past in the eye care forums. It usually starts after a scratched cornea that does not heal properly. In some instances it occurs due to a common disease of the outer layer of the cornea (basement membrane disorder). Use the search feature and type in "corneal erosions".
Here is part of a recent post on the problem:
Recurrent corneal erosions are the bane of the practice of ophthalmology for both the ophthalmologist (Eye MD) and the poor patient. I saw 2 of them in the office today. They can be very difficult and recalcitrant to treat. Not infrequently they are controlled with drops and ointments but reoccur if these medications are stopped. I'm sure you're well versed on the medical and preventive treatment of corneal erosions.
Treatment is to avoid anything that dries the eye. So keep it moist with artificial tears. At bedtime a lubricating drop with normal saline (Muro 128 ointment---available over the counter) is put in the eye. Extreme care must be used in the morning on awakening as this is when the tissue usually tears. Avoid rubbing the eye. If the eye wants to stay shut from the ointment leave it shut, splash with warm water till it opens then put in an artificial tear or Muro 128 DROPS (available as 2% or 5% [which often stings] also available over the counter. If Muro 128 products are irritation try Refresh-PM ointment at bedtime and a good artificial tear on awakening and several times during the day (Systane, Opteve, Soothe, Refresh, Tears Naturale, etc).
Long plane and car trips are very stressing for corneal erosions. In the car, run the air conditioner or heater on the feet vents not into the face. Put artificial tears in the eye every couple of hours on a car trip and every hour on a plane trip.
You should go a minimum of 4 months without any pain from the erosion (usually during sleep or upon wakening) before trying to stop the ointment. Be aware that some people are never able to stop the medications and must use drops, ointments and precautions indefinitely (years and years).
The next step is often corneal stromal micro-punctures. This is an office procedure done with just eye drop anesthesia; a bandage contact lens is put in the eye for several days. You may return to normal physical activities immediately.
If the problem persists then you may need to discuss these treatments with your ophthalmologist. He/she should be able to do the first method. The second he/she may or may not be able to do, sometimes referral to a cornea specialist is indicated.
1. There is a new method of treatment when all else fails. It involves taking oral tetracycline for a couple of weeks coupled with steroid eye drops. If your ophthalmologist is not familiar with the method he/she can do a literature search of the medical ophthalmology journals. The first time I read of it was in the journal "Ophthalmology". I have used this method on two patients that were "at their wits end and had tried everything else. In both cases it worked. I still have them use an ointment at bedtime such as Muro 128 or Genteal Gel but the severe pain has stopped.
2. The last technique would be to use the eximer laser to "resurface" the corneal epithelium and soft contact lens wear during the healing. This technique is most often used when the cornea has disease that keeps causing the erosions, the most common of these is corneal epithelial basement membrane disorder.
Keep trying and good luck.
JCH MD
You have "recurrent corneal erosion syndrome". The condition is common and will not destroy your sight or cause serious loss of vision. It has been discussed in the past in the eye care forums. It usually starts after a scratched cornea that does not heal properly. In some instances it occurs due to a common disease of the outer layer of the cornea (basement membrane disorder). Use the search feature and type in "corneal erosions".
Here is part of a recent post on the problem:
Recurrent corneal erosions are the bane of the practice of ophthalmology for both the ophthalmologist (Eye MD) and the poor patient. I saw 2 of them in the office today. They can be very difficult and recalcitrant to treat. Not infrequently they are controlled with drops and ointments but reoccur if these medications are stopped. I'm sure you're well versed on the medical and preventive treatment of corneal erosions.
Treatment is to avoid anything that dries the eye. So keep it moist with artificial tears. At bedtime a lubricating drop with normal saline (Muro 128 ointment---available over the counter) is put in the eye. Extreme care must be used in the morning on awakening as this is when the tissue usually tears. Avoid rubbing the eye. If the eye wants to stay shut from the ointment leave it shut, splash with warm water till it opens then put in an artificial tear or Muro 128 DROPS (available as 2% or 5% [which often stings] also available over the counter. If Muro 128 products are irritation try Refresh-PM ointment at bedtime and a good artificial tear on awakening and several times during the day (Systane, Opteve, Soothe, Refresh, Tears Naturale, etc).
Long plane and car trips are very stressing for corneal erosions. In the car, run the air conditioner or heater on the feet vents not into the face. Put artificial tears in the eye every couple of hours on a car trip and every hour on a plane trip.
You should go a minimum of 4 months without any pain from the erosion (usually during sleep or upon wakening) before trying to stop the ointment. Be aware that some people are never able to stop the medications and must use drops, ointments and precautions indefinitely (years and years).
The next step is often corneal stromal micro-punctures. This is an office procedure done with just eye drop anesthesia; a bandage contact lens is put in the eye for several days. You may return to normal physical activities immediately.
If the problem persists then you may need to discuss these treatments with your ophthalmologist. He/she should be able to do the first method. The second he/she may or may not be able to do, sometimes referral to a cornea specialist is indicated.
1. There is a new method of treatment when all else fails. It involves taking oral tetracycline for a couple of weeks coupled with steroid eye drops. If your ophthalmologist is not familiar with the method he/she can do a literature search of the medical ophthalmology journals. The first time I read of it was in the journal "Ophthalmology". I have used this method on two patients that were "at their wits end and had tried everything else. In both cases it worked. I still have them use an ointment at bedtime such as Muro 128 or Genteal Gel but the severe pain has stopped.
2. The last technique would be to use the eximer laser to "resurface" the corneal epithelium and soft contact lens wear during the healing. This technique is most often used when the cornea has disease that keeps causing the erosions, the most common of these is corneal epithelial basement membrane disorder.
Keep trying and good luck.
JCH MD
I do have one more question.. could all this be from dry eye?
because I injured my right eye a few years back and have had problems with it ever since. I usualy use drops for dry eye but I stoped. I understand you cant diagnose me witout actualy seeing me but is this a posibility??
because I injured my right eye a few years back and have had problems with it ever since. I usualy use drops for dry eye but I stoped. I understand you cant diagnose me witout actualy seeing me but is this a posibility??
I live in Chicago and the lowest I can find is 190.
I even asked if I can make payments. Answer? Payment in full required.
I called 7 different eye doctors, I even called a low income eye clinic and told them it was a emergency and they said the next appointment was in the middle of June! (even that was a 100 dollar fee) Thats why I was hoping for suggestions on here. I give up.
Thanks anyway.
I even asked if I can make payments. Answer? Payment in full required.
I called 7 different eye doctors, I even called a low income eye clinic and told them it was a emergency and they said the next appointment was in the middle of June! (even that was a 100 dollar fee) Thats why I was hoping for suggestions on here. I give up.
Thanks anyway.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There's nothing I can do for you, you require an in person eye exam by an ophthalmologist.
I suggest you call around $225 for a complete medical eye exam is extremely high (USA dollars) even for an expensive metro area like New York.
You can find Eye MDs near you at www.aao.org
JCH MD
I suggest you call around $225 for a complete medical eye exam is extremely high (USA dollars) even for an expensive metro area like New York.
You can find Eye MDs near you at www.aao.org
JCH MD
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