Why Do You Feel Pain in the Outer Corner of Your Eye When Blinking?

Pain can occur in any part of the eyes but when it pains in outer corner of eye when blinking most people conclude it as an eye flu which is quite common during the rainy season. But the pain could be due to other reasons too starting from tear duct infections, blepharitis, and styes.

In the initial stages when these conditions are manageable at home with warm compresses, gentle massage, or artificial tears it’s good but when the pain persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like redness, swelling, or vision changes, it’s important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Enlisting The Reasons Causing Pain In Outer Corner Of Eye When Blinking

Pain localized in the corner of your eye when blinking could be due to a foreign object lodged there, a scratch, or other injuries. Other possible causes include a tear duct infection or a specific type of eyelid inflammation known as angular blepharitis.

The cornea is the most sensitive part of the human eye as it has the largest network of nerve fibers. As a result, it’s common to feel even the slightest changes in your eyes, whether it’s a tiny particle or an allergen too small to see.

Every time we blink, the eyelid moves across the corner, and any foreign object, dryness, irritation, or inflammation can cause discomfort.Here are some common reasons for experiencing eye pain while blinking.

Allergies: Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eye’s mast cells release histamine in response to allergens. This histamine causes your eyes to become red, itchy, and inflamed, which can be particularly noticeable when blinking.

Blepharitis: This condition occurs when there’s an excess of bacteria on your eyelids, leading to redness, swelling, irritation, and itching. Blepharitis can also develop from clogged oil glands. Besides irritation, it can cause flaky scales on the eyelids, similar to dandruff.

Conjunctivitis: Often called “pink eye,” viral or bacterial conjunctivitis inflames the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering part of the eye and inside of the eyelid. This inflammation can cause discomfort, especially when blinking.

Corneal Abrasion: A corneal bruise is a scratch on the eye’s surface caused by various sources, such as tree branches, fingernails, or makeup brushes. Blinking aggravates this scratch, leading to pain.

Corneal Ulcer: A corneal ulcer, or keratitis, is an open sore on the cornea caused by an infection, severe dry eye, or other conditions. The inflammation from the ulcer leads to itchy, watery eyes that may also produce discharge and blurred vision, making blinking uncomfortable.

Dry Eye Syndrome: The meibomian and lacrimal glands produce tears. For those with dry eye syndrome, these glands either don’t make enough tears or produce poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly, leaving the eyes without proper lubrication. This can create a gritty sensation in the eye when blinking.

Foreign Body: Any substance or object that doesn’t naturally belong in your eye can cause irritation, and blinking is your body’s way of removing it. While most foreign bodies, like eyelashes or dirt, resolve easily, more serious materials, such as wood, metal, or chemicals, require immediate medical attention.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC): GPC is a condition where the inside of the eyelid becomes swollen, red, and rough, sometimes forming bumps known as papillae. This makes blinking painful, particularly for contact lens wearers.

Styes: Also known as hordeolum, styes are red bumps on the eyelids caused by a blocked oil gland. This blockage prevents proper oil drainage, leading to an infection, often from the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, causing irritation when blinking.

Keratitis:
Keratitis is an infection of the cornea, typically caused by bacteria or viruses. It can cause pain, a gritty sensation in the eye, and light sensitivity.

Optic Neuritis:
Optic neuritis involves inflammation of the optic nerve, disrupting visual information transmission between the eye and brain. This can cause pain with eye or eyelid movement, temporary vision loss, and difficulty perceiving colors.

When to Seek Medical Care

If you experience persistent or worsening pain in the corner of your eye, even after a few days of home care, consider scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor. Specific symptoms may signal a more severe condition that requires prompt medical attention. Seek emergency care if the pain is in the corner of your eye:

It’s intense
occurs after an injury, such as exposure to a foreign object or chemical
If pain is accompanied by light sensitivity
It is associated with eye discharge, like pus or blood
is paired with significant swelling in or around the eye
Vision changes occur due to blurred vision
When it becomes difficult to open or move your eye

Ayurvedic Treatment for Pain In Outer Corner Of Eye When Blinking

When blinking, ayurvedic treatment for pain in the outer corner of the eye focuses on balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and promoting overall eye health. Here are some common Ayurvedic approaches in event of Ayurvedic treatment for pain In outer corner of eye when blinking

Triphala Eye Wash:Triphala is a powerful herbal formulation with cleansing and rejuvenating properties. It reduces inflammation and soothes the eyes.

Warm Compress: A warm compress, like a gentle massage for your eyes. It helps in relieving pain, eye discomfort and thereby improves blood circulation and relaxing the muscles around the eyes, leaving you feeling at ease.

Ghee Application: Pure cow ghee is known for its cooling and lubricating properties, which can help reduce dryness and discomfort. A small amount of ghee can be applied to the outer corner of the eye before bedtime.

Nasya Therapy: You can consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to select the appropriate Nasya oil and dosage for your eye pain while blinking. Administering medicated oils through nasal passages can help balance Vata dosha and relieve eye pain.

However, for persistent or severe pain, it’s crucial to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.