eye pain when eye is pushed in or rubbed

[bkuzminski1037]

Whenever I rub my right eye and it pushes my eyeball in, even if it is a slight rub, the pain is unimaginable. It feel like there is a needle in there. I thought maybe a sty under my lid, but last night, i rubbed the eyeball itself and it hurt so bad and it took a while for it to go away. I went to the opthomologist who didn't see anything. I had a complete check up. he gave me a lubricant and said to try not to rub it. the problem is with allergies this eye constantly tears and sometimes in my sleep i'll rub and the pain wakes me up. i feel like it may be under the eyelid but am not sure since, i held my eyelid open and pressed slightly on the eyeball and I almost hit the ceiling. do you think an ct scan or mri will show anything. he said if it keeps hurting he'll send me to an eye specialist. my eyeball doesnt hurt when i dont touch it only when it it is rubbed.

[Kimbrown224]

I’m having this same problem! A few weeks ago my nephew accidentally elbowed me in the eye when I was going in for a hug. Everything went white and it watered profusely for a while. It hurts if I try to rub it or touch it, so I’m always in pain when I take my makeup off everyday. Sometimes I touch it in just the right spot and it’s so painful I jerk and can’t open it for a bit, it just waters like crazy. :/

[JohnHaganMD]

The problem is called "Recurrent corneal erosions"  It has been discussed many times here and is extremely common. Here is a previous post on the subject:
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.

[webslinger81]

i have the same problem but its in my left eye and its only sometimes, its ok at the min but i can guarentee it'll be back by next month also with me sometimes when i wake up and open my eyes it is unbareable so have to shut them again then keep blinking until my eye is used to it
let me know if any1 finds out what it is and how to cure it plz

[Jenna1313]

I get this same thing but it happens to me a lot. I'm now aware of what triggers the pain so I try hard to avoid it (which is pressing down on my eye). Like you, it's my right eye too. The pain is so intense, I just want to hit a wall. It even makes me cry. I have no idea what's causing it and I'm scared to go see a doctor about it. I know I need to cause I don't want to lose my vision.

[Lindzamac]

I have this exact same problem! Once or twice a year I will rub my right eye and all of a sudden ill get a sharp pain in the eyelid and it will continue to hurt and water for upwards of an hour. I've since learned that if I take ibuprofen right away and close my eyes and relax for 10-15 min the pain will go away more quickly. My eyelid is more sensitive to touch for several days afterwards and I can't wear contacts or really touch my eyelid at all. But a few days later everything is back to normal and the problem doesnt happen again for months or even a year or more...then one day (usually in the morning) I forget to be careful, rub my eye a little too hard and BOOM!--major eye pain again.  What is this and how can I prevent it?  Anyone??

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

This is a corneal or lid problem and you do not need a MRI.

Some corneal problems like a recurrent erosion needs three to six months to heal without recurrence.  

Use a shield a night to prevent rubbing.  F/u with you ophthalmologist.