Why does my eyeball hurt when I move it or press on it, and what should I do?

Under normal circumstances, eye pain upon moving or pressing the eyeball may be caused by eye strain, lack of sleep, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, or other conditions. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Eye strain

Prolonged screen time, reading, or engaging in other near-vision tasks can cause the eye muscles to remain tense for extended periods, potentially leading to pain when moving or pressing the eyeball. It is advisable to take regular breaks and reduce eye strain. Use eye-protecting software to adjust screen brightness and color temperature, and consider wearing blue-light-blocking glasses.

2. Sleep deprivation

Chronic lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can impair ocular blood circulation and nerve regulation, possibly resulting in pain during eye movement or pressure. Maintain adequate sleep, regulate daily routines, and ensure sufficient rest each night. Engaging in moderate physical exercise can also help improve sleep quality and overall health.

3. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation caused by viral or bacterial infection or allergic reactions. Inflammation may lead to redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, causing pain due to friction between the conjunctiva and the eyeball during eye movement. Symptoms may also include eye redness, swelling, and increased discharge. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, cefuroxime axetil capsules, or levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules.

4. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by elevated intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve and causes visual field loss. Increased eye pressure can compress ocular tissues, causing pain during eye movement or pressure, along with symptoms such as decreased vision, narrowed visual fields, and headaches. Treatment under medical guidance may include eye drops such as carteolol hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, latanoprost ophthalmic solution, or oral acetazolamide tablets.

5. Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome results from insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation, leading to a dry and poorly lubricated ocular surface. This may cause friction and pain during eye movement, accompanied by symptoms such as dryness and a burning sensation. Patients may use medications such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, hypersaccharide eye drops, or diquafosol sodium eye drops under medical supervision.

To prevent these conditions, it is important to rest the eyes appropriately, avoid prolonged visual tasks, maintain good eye hygiene, and apply warm compresses or gentle massage regularly.