Why do my eyes hurt when I have a fever?

Fever usually refers to an elevated body temperature. If a patient experiences eye pain when moving the eyeballs after developing a fever, it may be caused by illnesses such as the common cold, viral conjunctivitis, or meningitis. It is recommended that patients promptly visit a hospital for further evaluation and receive targeted treatment.

1. Common Cold

When the body is invaded by bacteria, immunity may decrease, leading to symptoms such as fever and headaches. It may also cause eye congestion, which can further irritate ocular nerves and result in pain when moving the eyes. Patients are advised to take medications such as cefuroxime axetil tablets, cefixime dispersible tablets, or amoxicillin capsules under medical guidance.

2. Viral Conjunctivitis

After developing a fever, patients may become infected with adenovirus in the eyes, causing viral conjunctivitis—an infectious condition that typically affects both eyes. Symptoms include eye redness and swelling, conjunctival congestion, edema, increased watery or mucous-like discharge, and possibly pain when moving the eyeballs. Under medical supervision, patients may use antiviral eye drops such as acyclovir ophthalmic solution or ganciclovir eye drops to relieve ocular discomfort.

3. Meningitis

When pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses invade the brain, they can trigger brain inflammation, resulting in fever. Changes in intracranial pressure may disrupt retinal blood circulation, causing eye movement pain following fever. Patients may follow medical advice to take antibacterial agents like cefuroxime axetil tablets or cefixime dispersible tablets, or antiviral drugs such as acyclovir tablets or ganciclovir tablets. In some cases, cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery may be necessary.

Patients should promptly go to the hospital for diagnostic tests such as corneal fluorescein staining or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Additionally, patients should maintain a light diet and consume fresh fruits and vegetables such as blueberries and carrots in moderation. Adequate rest is important, and overuse of the eyes should be avoided.