What should I do if my eyes hurt?
Jan 08, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
1. Allow yourself to “cry”: To prevent dry eyes, use artificial tears, which closely mimic natural tears.
2. Blink gently: To alleviate dry eyes, apply a bag of crushed ice or ice cubes to your eyes for 5 minutes every two hours.
3. Gently remove foreign particles: Use a moist cotton swab to carefully wipe away debris.
Protecting your eyes daily is extremely important. Many people spend prolonged periods using smartphones, which easily leads to eye pain. Short-term eye pain generally has minimal impact; however, persistent or prolonged discomfort can significantly affect vision and overall eye health. Besides causing considerable discomfort, eye pain may also impair normal ocular function—making effective relief methods a top concern for affected individuals. So, what should you do when experiencing eye pain? Below, we address this question.
What to Do When Experiencing Eye Pain
1. Induce “Tearing” (Artificial Tear Supplementation)
To prevent dry eyes, artificial tear drops—formulated to closely mimic natural tears—can be used. These are readily available over the counter at pharmacies.
2. Gently Blink and Manipulate the Upper Eyelid
Another method to remove foreign particles (e.g., sand) involves gently pulling the upper eyelid downward over the lower eyelid. This maneuver helps adhere the foreign body to the inner surface of the lower eyelid, facilitating its removal.
For dry eyes: Apply crushed ice or an ice pack to closed eyes for five minutes every two hours. Alternatively, use a chilled, uncracked whole egg straight from the refrigerator—gently press it against the affected eye.
3. Gently Remove Foreign Material
If dust or debris is lodged on the bulbar conjunctiva, carefully wipe it away using a moistened cotton swab.
4. Apply Cold Compresses
If the eye sustains blunt trauma (e.g., a blow), experts recommend immediately applying an ice pack to both the upper and lower eyelids for 15 minutes. Cold therapy helps reduce pain and swelling.
5. Irrigate the Eyes
To flush out dust or sand particles, rinse the eyes with preservative-free sterile saline solution. Avoid using tap water, distilled water, or regular eye drops—except in emergencies involving caustic chemical splashes, when sterile saline is unavailable.
The above outlines practical measures for managing eye pain. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
