How to relieve eye pain and eye pressure

Nov 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Common ways to relieve eye pain and eye pressure include adjusting eye-use habits, applying warm compresses to the eyes, using artificial tears, massaging acupoints around the eyes, and improving environmental humidity. Prolonged close-up work can easily cause eye pain and discomfort; it is advisable to take regular breaks—after every 30 minutes of near work, look into the distance for 5–10 minutes to relax the eye muscles.

Common ways to relieve eye pain and eye pressure generally include adjusting eye usage habits, applying warm compresses to the eyes, using artificial tears, massaging acupoints around the eyes, and improving environmental humidity. Specific details are as follows:

1. Adjust eye usage habits: Prolonged close-up work can easily cause eye pain and pressure. It is important to take regular breaks—every 30 minutes of eye use, look into the distance for 5–10 minutes to relax the eye muscles. Also avoid using your eyes in dim or overly bright lighting to reduce eye irritation and relieve discomfort caused by eye fatigue.

2. Warm compress for the eyes: Use a warm towel at about 40°C and place it over closed eyelids for 10–15 minutes per session, 2–3 times daily. The warmth helps improve blood circulation in the eyes, relieves tension in the eye muscles, and reduces eye pain and pressure caused by fatigue or dryness. Be careful not to use excessive heat that could burn the skin.

3. Use artificial tears: If eye pain or pressure is accompanied by dryness, preservative-free artificial tears may be used, 1–2 drops per application, 3–4 times daily. Artificial tears help replenish moisture on the eye surface, lubricate the eyeball, and alleviate discomfort due to dryness. Always wash hands before use to prevent contamination of the bottle tip.

4. Massage eye-area acupoints: Gently massage acupoints around the eyes—including Taiyang (temple), Jingming, and Zanzhu—with the fingertips for 1–2 minutes each, using mild pressure until a slight soreness or fullness is felt. This stimulates eye-related meridians, promotes blood and qi circulation, relieves eye muscle fatigue, and reduces symptoms of eye pain and pressure.

5. Improve environmental humidity: In dry environments, ocular moisture evaporates more quickly, potentially causing eye pain and pressure. Using a humidifier indoors to maintain relative humidity between 40% and 60% is recommended. Also avoid prolonged exposure to direct airflow from air conditioners to minimize tear evaporation and maintain a moist ocular surface.

If eye pain or pressure persists for more than three days without improvement, or if accompanied by vision loss, eye redness, or increased discharge, prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is necessary. Avoid rubbing the eyes during symptom relief to prevent infection. Maintain a regular sleep schedule, avoid staying up late, and reduce overall strain on the eyes in daily life.

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