What causes pain when pressing under the eye?

Under normal circumstances, pain upon pressing the under-eye area may be caused by eye strain, external pressure, hordeolum (stye), blepharitis, or orbital cellulitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Eye strain: Prolonged focus on electronic screens causes continuous contraction of the muscles around the eyes without relaxation, leading to pain when pressing the under-eye area due to tension. To relieve this, take a 5-minute break to look into the distance every 30 minutes of screen use. Perform eye exercises twice daily, focusing on acupressure points around the under-eye area. Apply a warm towel compress to the eyes for 10 minutes before bedtime to alleviate muscle tension.

2. External pressure: Rubbing the eyes or physical impact can damage subcutaneous tissues or capillaries in the under-eye area, causing significant pain upon touch. Within the first 48 hours after injury, apply cold compresses to reduce swelling; switch to warm compresses after 48 hours to promote healing. Avoid further pressing or rubbing the under-eye area to prevent secondary injury.

3. Hordeolum (Stye): Acute inflammation caused by bacterial infection (commonly Staphylococcus) of the eyelid glands, resulting in redness, swelling, and hard lumps in the under-eye region with tenderness upon pressure. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as levofloxacin eye drops, tobramycin eye drops, or erythromycin eye ointment. Apply warm compresses three times daily for 10 minutes each to help resolve the inflammation.

4. Blepharitis: Abnormal sebum secretion or bacterial infection at the eyelid margins may spread inflammation to the under-eye area, causing a stinging sensation when pressed. Treatment may include zinc sulfate eye drops, tetracycline eye ointment, or metronidazole gel as directed by a physician. Clean the eyelid margins daily using sterile cotton swabs dipped in saline solution to remove secretions.

5. Orbital Cellulitis: An acute suppurative infection of the soft tissues within the eye socket, causing obvious redness, swelling, and pain in the under-eye area, often accompanied by fever. Patients must follow medical instructions to use antibiotics such as ceftriaxone sodium injection, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets, or clindamycin capsules. If an abscess forms, surgical incision and drainage are required to evacuate pus and control the infection.

Maintain a regular daily routine, avoid staying up late, and ensure 7–8 hours of sleep per night. Eat a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins. Maintain good eye hygiene by avoiding rubbing the eyes with dirty hands to reduce the risk of eye infections.