Pain under the eye when blinking can be unsettling. This discomfort often signals an underlying issue. Understanding the reasons helps identify causes and determine appropriate steps.
Local Eye and Eyelid Conditions
Pain under the eye when blinking frequently stems from conditions affecting the eye’s surface, eyelids, or surrounding structures. These issues cause friction or irritation with each blink.
Dry Eye Syndrome is a common cause, where eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears are of poor quality. This lack of lubrication leads to friction between the eyelid and the eye’s surface during blinking, causing a gritty, burning, or stinging sensation. Environmental factors, screen time, and medications can worsen dry eye.
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the eye’s surface and inner eyelids. This inflammation, caused by infections or allergies, makes blood vessels swell, causing redness and soreness. Blinking intensifies discomfort.
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. When oil glands become clogged or infected, the eyelids can become red, swollen, itchy, and sore. Blinking can aggravate irritation, leading to a burning sensation or grittiness.
A stye or chalazion can cause pain with blinking. A stye is a painful, red bump on the eyelid when an oil gland or eyelash follicle becomes infected. A chalazion is usually a painless lump caused by a blocked oil gland. Both create pressure and swelling, making blinking uncomfortable.
A foreign body in the eye, such as an eyelash or debris, can cause acute pain with blinking. The foreign material rubs against the sensitive cornea or inner eyelid, causing irritation, tearing, and redness. A corneal abrasion, a scratch on the eye’s surface, produces similar symptoms. Blinking worsens pain as the eyelid moves over the damaged area.
Allergies can contribute to discomfort when blinking. Allergic reactions to pollen or pet dander can cause the eyes to become inflamed, itchy, and watery. This inflammation irritates sensitive eye tissues, leading to pain exacerbated by blinking.
Underlying or Referred Causes
Pain under the eye when blinking can originate from systemic issues or pain referred from other areas of the head. These causes can still manifest as discomfort with eye movement.
Eye strain or fatigue, often from prolonged visual tasks, can lead to muscle fatigue around the eyes. This can cause a dull ache that may feel worse when blinking. Reduced blink rates during screen time can also contribute to dry eye.
Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses, can cause pressure and pain that radiates to the eye area. When sinuses become inflamed and congested, swelling can press on surrounding tissues, leading to discomfort that intensifies with eye movement or blinking.
Migraines or headaches can involve eye pain or sensitivity to light, which might be exacerbated by blinking. The intense pain can be felt around or behind the eye, and blinking can heighten discomfort.
Contact lens complications are another potential source of blinking pain. Issues like ill-fitting lenses, overwearing, or poor hygiene can lead to irritation, dryness, or infection. This irritation can make blinking uncomfortable, signaling a need to adjust lens use or hygiene practices.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
While some causes of eye pain when blinking are minor, certain symptoms warrant immediate professional medical attention. Recognizing these red flags is important for eye health.
Seek medical advice if the pain is persistent or worsening, or if it is accompanied by severe redness, swelling, or discharge. Sudden changes in vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or loss of vision, require prompt evaluation.
Other signs include fever, chills, or systemic illness symptoms alongside eye pain. An inability to open the eye due to pain or swelling, or extreme sensitivity to light, indicates a need for medical attention. If there is a suspected foreign body that cannot be easily flushed out, or if the pain is accompanied by a severe headache, nausea, or vomiting, prompt care is necessary. Consultation is advised if symptoms do not improve with self-care within 24 to 48 hours.