What causes sudden eye pain and inability to open the eyes?

Sudden eye pain and inability to open the eyes may be caused by prolonged eye use, peeling skin, conjunctivitis, photokeratitis, or glaucoma. Appropriate management should be chosen based on the specific cause.

1. Prolonged Eye Use

If the eyes are used for close-up tasks over a long period, the ciliary muscle remains contracted, which can easily lead to eye pain and difficulty opening the eyes. It is recommended to rest the eyes promptly by closing them, ensure adequate sleep, or look into the distance periodically to relieve symptoms.

2. Skin Peeling

If local skin peeling occurs due to trauma or sunburn, patients commonly experience eye pain and difficulty opening the eyes. Treatment may include oral vitamin E soft capsules or vitamin A soft capsules, or topical application of compound ketoconazole cream or vitamin B6 ointment, as directed by a physician.

3. Conjunctivitis

In cases of conjunctivitis, patients often feel a foreign body sensation, gritty discomfort, stabbing pain, or mild sensitivity to light, which may also result in difficulty opening the eyes. Under medical guidance, patients may use levofloxacin eye drops or tobramycin eye drops for treatment.

4. Photokeratitis

In photokeratitis, patients may experience blurred vision, a sensation of foreign bodies in the eyes, severe eye pain, and photophobia, which could lead to sudden inability to open the eyes. As prescribed by a doctor, medications such as proparacaine hydrochloride eye drops or recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor eye drops may be used.

5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure, which may cause eye pain, blurred vision, and a feeling of pressure in the eye. Patients should seek care at a reputable hospital and, under the guidance of a specialist, may undergo procedures such as peripheral iridectomy or trabeculectomy.

If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.