Eye pain or orbital pain is a common experience for many. What causes orbital pain? What causes eye pain? How should one address orbital and eye pain? Today, we'll address these questions one by one. If you're curious, read on.
What Causes Orbital Pain?
In daily life, many people experience orbital pain due to various reasons. So what causes this discomfort? Let's explore below.
1. Corneal and Conjunctival Disorders
The cornea is commonly known as the black part of the eye, while the bulbar conjunctiva covers the surface of the white part.
Inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, often caused by microbial infections or physical/chemical irritants, frequently results in stinging or grinding pain in the eyes. During acute phases, symptoms may include redness, increased discharge, photophobia, and excessive tearing. Chronic inflammation may present only with mild stinging or grinding pain, and conjunctival stones may form on the eyelids. In such cases, treatment typically focuses on addressing the inflammation or any associated blepharoliths.
2. Visual Fatigue
Visual fatigue is prevalent among office workers due to prolonged close-up tasks. It also affects students, editors, writers, and similar professions. Symptoms include aching eyes, difficulty opening them fully, and increased tearing, which typically improve with rest.
If patients have refractive errors, significant differences in visual acuity between eyes, or age-related decreased accommodation, wearing ill-fitting glasses can easily cause eye soreness and fatigue.
In such cases, accurate refraction testing is necessary to prescribe suitable eyewear (especially for near reading). Adequate rest is also crucial; after resting, eye soreness and fatigue will gradually subside.3. Supraorbital Neuralgia This is a neuropathic pain of unknown cause. Since the supraorbital nerve innervates the upper orbital rim and surrounding skin, eye pain often manifests as stabbing sensations in the orbital area and surrounding tissues. Some may experience pain within the eyeball itself.
How to Relieve Orbital Pain
I. Gentle Eye Pressure
After staring at a computer screen for over an hour, immediately close your eyes and relax for 5 seconds. Then, place the pads of your index, middle, and ring fingers on your eyelids and gently press the eyeballs. After 20 presses, begin massaging the eyeballs in a circular motion, alternating clockwise and counterclockwise. Stop after about 20 seconds.
2. Forehead Relief Technique
Eye pain often radiates to the forehead. Use the three fingers of each hand to glide from the center of your forehead toward the temples on both sides. Then firmly massage the temples with your fingertips. This will help relax and soothe the eye area. Repeat 3-5 times.
III. Brow-Between Massage
Close your eyes. Place the pad of one thumb on the indented area between your eyebrows. Press firmly 10 times, then gently rotate 10 times. Repeat this sequence 3 times. Open your eyes and rotate your eyeballs in four directions: up, down, left, and right. Keep your head steady throughout and blink continuously.