Experiencing discomfort when an eyelash hurts upon blinking is a common sensation that many people encounter. This seemingly minor irritation can range from a subtle annoyance to a sharp, persistent pain, significantly impacting daily comfort. The feeling of pain when blinking often indicates an underlying issue, ranging from simple irritants to more involved conditions that affect the eye’s surface or surrounding structures.
Why Your Eyelash Hurts
A frequent cause is a foreign particle, such as dust, debris, or even a loose eyelash itself, rubbing against the sensitive surface of the eye or becoming lodged under the eyelid. This foreign material can cause irritation and a sharp or burning pain with each blink.
Another common reason for discomfort is a stye, which occurs when an eyelash follicle or an oil gland on the eyelid becomes infected. A stye typically presents as a painful, red, swollen lump near the edge of the eyelid. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid margins, can also lead to pain and discomfort around the eyelashes. This condition often involves clogged oil glands near the eyelashes, resulting in red, swollen, and sometimes crusty eyelids that feel gritty or itchy.
Dry eye syndrome is a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to insufficient lubrication. When the eye lacks proper moisture, blinking can cause a gritty, burning, or stinging sensation due to increased friction between the eyelids and the eye’s surface. An ingrown eyelash, or trichiasis, where an eyelash grows inward and rubs against the eye, can cause significant irritation, redness, and pain with blinking. A corneal abrasion, which is a scratch on the clear front surface of the eye, can also cause intense pain when blinking due to the cornea’s high concentration of nerve endings.
What You Can Do at Home
If a foreign object is suspected, gently rinsing the eye with clean, warm water or sterile saline solution can help flush out the irritant. This can be done by using an eyecup, a small clean glass, or by allowing a gentle stream of water to flow over the eye while in the shower. Repeated blinking while rinsing can also assist the eye’s natural tears in dislodging the particle.
For conditions like a stye or blepharitis, applying a warm compress to the affected eyelid can be beneficial. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, ensuring it is not too hot, and wring out any excess liquid. Gently place the warm compress over the closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes, repeating this process three to five times a day to help reduce swelling and promote drainage.
Avoid rubbing the eye, as this can worsen irritation or embed foreign objects. If contact lenses are worn, remove them immediately, as they can sometimes trap foreign particles or exacerbate irritation. Always ensure hands are clean before touching your eyes to prevent introducing bacteria and further infection.
When to Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention if the pain is severe or persistent and does not improve after a few hours or days of self-treatment. A worsening of pain, especially if it becomes unbearable, is a clear sign to consult a healthcare provider. Any sudden changes in vision, such as blurriness or difficulty seeing clearly, also warrant immediate professional assessment.
Additional symptoms that necessitate medical attention include significant redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid that continues or increases. The presence of pus or discharge from the eye is another indicator of a potential infection requiring treatment. Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) or the feeling that something is deeply embedded in the eye and cannot be easily removed by rinsing should also prompt a visit to an eye care specialist. Furthermore, if eye pain is accompanied by other bodily symptoms like a headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting, seeking emergency medical care is advisable.
Tips to Avoid Future Pain
Regularly cleaning the eyelids, particularly along the lash line, can help remove debris, excess oils, and bacteria that contribute to inflammation like blepharitis. This can be done gently with a mild, diluted baby shampoo or specialized eyelid cleansers as recommended by an eye care professional. Proper care of contact lenses is also important; this includes washing hands thoroughly before handling lenses, using fresh solution daily, and replacing contact lens cases regularly.
It is also beneficial to avoid sharing eye makeup, as this can transfer bacteria and lead to infections. Replacing eye makeup, especially mascara and eyeliner, every three to six months can reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. Removing all eye makeup thoroughly before sleep helps prevent clogged glands and irritation. Staying adequately hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day can also support overall eye health, contributing to better tear production and lubrication.