Why Does One Eye Hurt? Understand the 7 Causes Here!

One eye often hurts for various reasons, ranging from dry eye to cluster headaches. This condition can affect either the right or left eye, causing discomfort or pain that interferes with daily activities.

Understanding the causes of one eye hurting is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment. This article will explore several common causes along with how to treat them. Read the full information below.

Why Does One Eye Hurt?

Several conditions that cause right or left eye pain are usually related to issues within the eye itself or the surrounding area. Here are some of the causes.

1. Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can cause pain in one eye because tear production or quality is suboptimal, so the eye’s surface is not lubricated properly. 

This condition makes the eye more prone to irritation, which can cause a stinging, burning, or painful sensation. If the issue affects only one eye, for example, due to a blocked gland or specific factors, the pain may also be felt only on that side.

Treatment must be tailored to the underlying cause. Generally, treatment begins with artificial tears to maintain moisture and relieve irritation.

If caused by excessive tear evaporation, warm compresses and maintaining eyelid hygiene can help improve the function of the glands around the eyes.

Under certain conditions, a doctor may prescribe special eye drops to help reduce inflammation and stabilize the tear film.

2. Migraine

Migraines can be a cause of left eye pain because they involve the nervous system directly connected to the eye area. This condition is often accompanied by characteristic symptoms, such as a throbbing headache on one side, nausea, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and sometimes visual disturbances (aura). 

When a migraine attack occurs, the trigeminal system, the nerve network connecting the face, head, and the area around the eyes, becomes activated and sends pain signals to the brain.

As a result, pain can appear inside, around, or behind just one eye, depending on which side of the nerve is affected. This is why the pain is often felt on only one side, like the left or right eye.

Treatment for one eye that hurts caused by a migraine can be approached in several ways, depending on the severity. In short, management includes:

• Pain relievers or specific migraine medications.
• Preventive therapy, including certain medications (such as beta-blockers or antidepressants) to reduce the frequency of migraines.
• Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.

3. Sinusitis

Sinusitis (a sinus infection) can cause pain in one eye because the sinuses are located very close to the eye area. When sinusitis occurs, the sinus cavities, which are normally filled with air, become inflamed and blocked by fluid. 

This condition creates pressure inside the sinuses, particularly in those located below, between, or behind the eyes. This pressure then causes pain around or behind one eye, depending on which sinus is infected.

If you have previously been diagnosed with or suspect you have a sinus issue affecting your eyes, consult a doctor immediately, especially if accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision or changes in visual quality.
• Swelling and pressure on the eye.
• Severe pain inside or around the eye.
• Swelling around one or both eyes.

Sinusitis not only causes pain around the eye but can also lead to serious complications, such as infection of the tissues around the eye (orbital cellulitis) or the formation of a pus-filled collection (abscess). This condition is considered a medical emergency because it can lead to vision impairment or even blindness if not treated immediately.

4. Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches can cause right-eye pain due to their distinctive pain pattern, which is intense on one side of the head, particularly around or behind one eye.

When an attack occurs, the pain is usually very sharp or stabbing and localized to one side only. This happens because a disturbance in the nervous system in the head causes pain signals to be focused on the area around the eye. 

As a result, the patient may experience severe pain in one eye (right or left), which is often accompanied by redness, watery eyes, and swelling on the same side.

Cluster headaches are a chronic condition that can recur periodically, but they can be managed with treatment. Here are some treatment options typically prescribed by doctors:

• Administering pure oxygen via a mask to quickly relieve pain.
• Triptans (injections or nasal sprays) to stop an attack.
• Local anesthesia is given through the nose.
• Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, to prevent cluster headaches from recurring.

5. Thyroid Eye Disease

Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition. In this condition, inflammation occurs in the tissues around the eyes, including the muscles and fatty tissue within the eye socket. 

This condition causes swelling, pressure, and irritation that can trigger pain in one eye, although in some cases it can affect both eyes.

Treatment is tailored based on the severity and stage of the disease, including:

• Eye drops to address dryness, irritation, or pain.
• Selenium supplements (under certain conditions) can help relieve symptoms.
• Scleral lenses or special lenses to protect the eye surface.
• Prism glasses or an eye patch if double vision occurs.
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in more severe cases.
• Radiation therapy or surgery for more serious or persistent cases.

6. Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis can cause pain in one eye due to inflammation of the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transmission of visual signals and causes pain behind or around the eye, which is usually more pronounced with eye movement.

This condition usually affects only one eye in adults and often occurs in both eyes in children. In this case, the doctor periodically monitors the eye and nerve to determine the appropriate treatment.

7. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma occurs due to a sudden blockage in the eye’s fluid drainage system. When the angle between the iris and the cornea closes, fluid inside the eye cannot drain normally. As a result, intraocular pressure rises rapidly and drastically in one eye.

This increased pressure compresses the eye structures and surrounding nerves, causing severe pain in one eye (right or left), often accompanied by redness, blurred vision, headaches, and even nausea.

This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to lower intraocular pressure and prevent permanent damage to the eye. The doctor will prescribe medication to lower intraocular pressure or even perform surgery if necessary.

8. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the outer layer of the eye (the conjunctiva) and is very common. This condition typically causes redness, watery eyes, a sensation of something being in the eye, and mild to moderate pain. A virus, bacteria, or an allergy can cause it.

9. Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) that can cause significant pain in one eye. Symptoms include redness, sensitivity to light (glare), and decreased vision. This condition requires immediate treatment as it carries a risk of causing permanent vision loss.

10. Anterior Uveitis

Anterior uveitis is inflammation of the inner part of the eye that often causes pain, redness, and sensitivity to light. In some cases, vision may also become blurry. This condition is often difficult to recognize because its symptoms resemble those of common eye irritation, so it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve.

Read also: Glaucoma: Detection, Treatment, and Therapy

That concludes the explanation of the causes of one eye hurting that you should be aware of. By understanding the possible causes, you can recognize the symptoms of each condition and promptly determine the appropriate action.

To help ensure a more comprehensive examination of your eye health, you can undergo an Eye Check at JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics. This examination helps provide a clearer picture of the underlying causes of your symptoms, such as pain in one eye, which may be accompanied by other symptoms. This helps our doctors tailor the treatment to each patient’s specific condition.