Valuable Why Does The Inner Corner Of Eye Hurts? Causes

Pain in the inner corner of the eye can be quite unsettling. It’s a common issue. This pain can feel like a dull ache, sharp, or tender. It often gets worse when you blink or touch it. Focus on specific causes when the inner corner of eye hurts, often related to tear ducts or inflammation. Address inner corner of eye hurts.

There are many reasons for this pain. It could be something simple like a blocked tear duct or a stye. Or it could be something more serious like pinguecula or pterygium growth. At Liv Hospital, we focus on finding the cause of eye corner pain. We do this to give the right treatment to our patients.

Key Takeaways

• Pain in the inner corner of the eye can result from multiple factors.
• Common causes include blocked tear ducts and styes.
• More serious conditions like pinguecula or pterygium growth can also be responsible.
• Understanding the cause is key to finding the right treatment.
• Liv Hospital takes a patient-centered approach to treating eye corner pain.

Eye Corner Anatomy and Function

Understanding the eye corner’s structure and function is key to figuring out pain causes. The eye corner, mainly the inner corner, is a complex area. It plays a big role in our eye health.

The inner corner of the eye, or the medial canthal area, is where the eyelids meet. It’s not just a simple spot; it has important structures for eye health. These include the tear drainage system.

The Tear Drainage System

The tear drainage system drains tears from the eye into the nasal cavity. It has the lacrimal puncta, small openings on the eyelids, and the nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears into the nose.

A blockage in this system can cause dacryocystitis, an infection or inflammation of the lacrimal sac. This can lead to pain in the inner corner of the eye. Knowing how this system works is key for diagnosing and treating conditions.

The Lacrimal Caruncle and Puncta

The lacrimal caruncle is a small, pink spot at the inner corner of the eye. It has sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. The lacrimal puncta are tiny openings for tear drainage.

• The lacrimal caruncle can become inflamed or infected, causing discomfort.
• The puncta can be affected by punctal stenosis, where the opening narrows.

How Tears Protect Your Eyes

Tears are essential for eye health. They lubricate, clear away foreign particles, and have antimicrobial enzymes. Tears are made of water, mucins, lipids, and proteins.

1. Tears keep the eye surface smooth and clear, improving vision.
2. They protect the eyes from infection with lysozyme, an enzyme that breaks down bacteria.
3. Tears also nourish the cornea, the transparent layer on the eye’s front.

When the tear drainage system works right, and tears are produced correctly, the eyes stay healthy and comfortable. Problems with tear production or drainage can cause pain in the eye corner. This is seen when the “corner of eye feels bruised” or “side of the eye hurts.”

Why the Inner Corner of Eye Hurts: Common Causes

Several conditions can cause pain in the inner corner of the eye. These include blocked tear ducts, angular blepharitis, and styes. We will explore each in detail.

The inner corner of the eye, also known as the medial canthal area, is complex. It has many structures that can be affected by different conditions. Knowing the common causes of pain here can help you find the right medical care.

Blocked Tear Ducts (Dacryocystitis)

Blocked tear ducts, also known as dacryocystitis, happen when the tear drainage system is blocked. This can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation in the inner corner of the eye.

Symptoms of blocked tear ducts include:

• Excessive tearing
• Pain and swelling in the inner corner of the eye
• Redness and inflammation
• Pus or discharge

Condition	Symptoms	Treatment
Dacryocystitis	Pain, swelling, excessive tearing	Antibiotics, warm compresses, surgery
Angular Blepharitis	Redness, irritation, crusting	Antibiotic ointments, eyelid hygiene
Styes (Hordeolums)	Painful lump, redness, swelling	Warm compresses, antibiotic ointments

Angular Blepharitis

Angular blepharitis is an infection of the eyelid margins. It can cause pain and discomfort in the inner corner of the eye. It’s often caused by bacterial infections.

Key features of angular blepharitis include:

• Redness and irritation of the eyelid margins
• Crusting or scaling at the inner corner of the eye
• Discomfort or pain

Styes (Hordeolums) and Chalazia

Styes, or hordeolums, are painful bumps on the eyelid due to an infection of the oil glands. They can occur anywhere on the eyelid but often cause pain in the inner corner of the eye.

Treatment options for styes include:

• Applying warm compresses to reduce pain and promote drainage
• Using antibiotic ointments to treat the infection
• In some cases, surgical drainage may be necessary

By understanding these common causes of inner corner eye pain, you can better identify why you’re uncomfortable. This knowledge helps you seek the right medical care.

Infection-Related Causes of Eye Corner Pain

Eye corner pain can come from many infections, like bacterial, viral, and fungal ones. These infections can make this area very uncomfortable. Knowing what causes them and their symptoms is key to treating them well.

Bacterial Infections (Staphylococcus and Streptococcus)

Bacterial infections often cause pain in the eye corner. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are two main bacteria that do this. They can cause dacryocystitis, which is inflammation of the tear duct. This leads to pain, redness, and swelling in the eye’s inner corner.

Symptoms of bacterial infections in the eye corner include:

• Pain or tenderness in the corner of the eye
• Redness and swelling
• Discharge or crusting around the eye
• Increased tearing or watering of the eye

Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a contagious infection. It’s caused by viruses like adenovirus. It affects the conjunctiva, causing discomfort in the eye corner.

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis are:

• Redness and irritation
• Watery discharge
• Sensitivity to light
• Swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear

Fungal Eye Infections

Fungal eye infections are less common but can also cause pain in the eye corner. Fungi like Candida and Aspergillus can infect the eye. This is more likely in people with weak immune systems or after eye trauma.

Symptoms of fungal eye infections include:

• Blurred vision
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Sensitivity to light
• Discharge or crusting around the eye

The table below shows the main differences between bacterial, viral, and fungal eye infections:

Infection Type	Common Causes	Symptoms
Bacterial	Staphylococcus, Streptococcus	Pain, redness, discharge, swelling
Viral	Adenovirus	Redness, watery discharge, sensitivity to light
Fungal	Candida, Aspergillus	Blurred vision, pain, sensitivity to light

Knowing the different infections that cause eye corner pain is key to getting the right treatment. If your symptoms don’t go away or are very bad, see a doctor for help.

Environmental and Allergic Triggers

It’s important to know about environmental and allergic triggers for eye corner pain. These factors can really impact our eye health, mainly the area around the inner corner.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome happens when our eyes don’t make enough tears or when the tears aren’t good. This can cause dryness, irritation, and pain in the eye corner. Using artificial tears or humidifiers can help ease symptoms. It’s wise to talk to an eye care expert for advice on managing dry eye.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says, “Dry eye syndrome affects millions globally.”

“Dry eye is a multifactorial disease caused by many factors, including environment, certain meds, and health issues.”

Seasonal and Contact Allergies

Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, can make your eyes itchy, red, and sore. Contact allergies from makeup or lens solution can cause the same issues. Staying away from allergens is the best way to handle these problems.

• Choose allergy-friendly products
• Don’t rub your eyes
• Try cold compresses to lessen swelling

Foreign Body Sensation

A foreign body sensation in the eye can come from dust, wind, or chemicals. It can cause discomfort and pain in the eye corner. Wearing protective eyewear and staying away from irritants can stop this.

Understanding and tackling these environmental and allergic triggers can help manage eye corner pain. If symptoms last or are bad, seeing an eye care expert is key for the right diagnosis and treatment.

Structural Issues Affecting the Eye Corner

Many structural problems can cause pain in the eye corner. These issues affect the eye’s normal function and its surroundings. They can impact daily life and eye health.

Pinguecula and Pterygium Growth

Pinguecula and pterygium are growths on the conjunctiva, the eye’s clear membrane. They are linked to UV light, dust, and wind exposure.

Pinguecula shows up as a yellowish patch on the conjunctiva, near the nose. It doesn’t touch the cornea. Pterygium, though, can grow onto the cornea, affecting vision.

Both can cause eye irritation, redness, and a feeling of something in the eye. They’re usually not serious but can be uncomfortable. Pterygium might affect vision if it grows too big.

Entropion and Ectropion of the Eyelid

Entropion and ectropion are eyelid issues. They make the eyelid turn inward or outward. Both can cause pain in the eye corner.

Entropion makes the eyelid turn inward, rubbing against the cornea. This can irritate the eye, causing pain and potentially harming the cornea if not treated.

Ectropion makes the eyelid turn outward. This can expose the conjunctiva, leading to dryness and irritation. Both need medical care to avoid serious problems.

Condition	Description	Symptoms
Pinguecula	Benign growth on the conjunctiva	Irritation, redness, foreign body sensation
Pterygium	Growth that can invade the cornea	Irritation, redness, vision impact
Entropion	Eyelid turns inward	Pain, irritation, corneal damage
Ectropion	Eyelid turns outward	Dryness, irritation, exposure

Canaliculitis and Lacrimal Gland Disorders

Canaliculitis is an infection or inflammation of the tear ducts. It can cause pain, redness, and swelling in the eye corner.

Lacrimal gland disorders affect the tear-producing gland. They can lead to dry eye or excessive tearing, causing discomfort in the eye corner.

Both canaliculitis and lacrimal gland disorders need proper diagnosis and treatment. This helps alleviate symptoms and prevents further issues.

Distinguishing Inner vs. Outer Corner Eye Pain

It’s important to know the difference between pain in the inner and outer corners of the eye. This helps doctors find the right treatment. The eye’s inner and outer corners work differently, and different problems affect them in unique ways.

Anatomical Differences

The inner corner of the eye, or medial canthal area, has special parts like the lacrimal caruncle and puncta. These help with tear drainage. The outer corner, or lateral canthal area, doesn’t have these parts. This difference helps explain why some problems are more common in one area than the other.

For example, dacryocystitis, a tear drainage issue, usually hurts the inner corner. But, pinguecula or pterygium often affect the outer corner.

Condition-Specific Symptoms

Each condition shows its own symptoms, depending on whether it’s in the inner or outer corner. For example:

• Inner Corner: Pain, redness, and swelling here might mean a blocked tear duct or dacryocystitis.
• Outer Corner: Discomfort, redness, or growths could point to pinguecula or pterygium.

Spotting these symptoms is key to figuring out what’s causing the pain.

Diagnostic Importance of Pain Location

Where the pain is located is a big clue for doctors. They use this info to find the cause and plan treatment.

If someone has pain in the inner corner, they might get checked for tear duct problems. But, if the pain is in the outer corner, they might look for pinguecula.

Knowing the difference between inner and outer corner pain helps doctors give better care. This leads to better results for patients.

Systemic Conditions Causing Eye Corner Discomfort

Systemic conditions can show up in unexpected ways, like causing pain in the inner eye corner. These can include autoimmune disorders, thyroid-related eye disease, and sinus infections. All these can lead to pain and discomfort in this sensitive area.

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders happen when the body attacks its own tissues. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the eyes. This inflammation can cause pain and discomfort in the inner eye corner. It’s essential to recognize that eye symptoms can be an early indicator of an underlying autoimmune condition.

We’ve seen patients with autoimmune disorders experience eye symptoms. These include dryness, redness, and pain in the inner eye corner. Managing these symptoms often requires a holistic approach that addresses both the autoimmune condition and its effects on the eyes.

Thyroid-Related Eye Disease

Thyroid-related eye disease, often linked to Graves’ disease, can cause discomfort and changes in the eyes. Symptoms include bulging eyes, double vision, and pain or discomfort in and around the eyes, including the inner corner. The connection between thyroid function and eye health is complex, and understanding this link is key for effective treatment.

Thyroid-related eye disease can cause inflammation and swelling around the eye, leading to pain in the inner corner. Treatment usually involves managing the thyroid condition and addressing the eye symptoms directly.

Sinus Infections and Pressure

Sinus infections and pressure can also cause pain and discomfort in the inner eye corner. The sinuses are near the eyes, and infections or inflammation can radiate pain to the eyes. Understanding the anatomical connection between the sinuses and the eyes is key to diagnosing and treating this type of discomfort.

We often see patients with eye pain due to sinusitis. Treating the underlying sinus infection can help alleviate eye discomfort. This may involve antibiotics, decongestants, or other treatments aimed at reducing sinus pressure and inflammation.

In conclusion, systemic conditions like autoimmune disorders, thyroid-related eye disease, and sinus infections can cause discomfort in the inner eye corner. Recognizing these causes is essential for providing the right care and relief.

Diagnosing the Source of Eye Corner Pain

To find out why the eye corner hurts, doctors need to look closely. They use a detailed check-up to figure out what’s causing the pain. This could be anything from infections to problems with the structure of the eye.

What Your Doctor Will Look For

Your doctor will start by checking the eye and eyelid for signs of trouble. They’ll look for redness, swelling, discharge, or any odd shapes. They’ll also ask about your medical history to see if anything else might be causing the pain.

Specialized Tests and Procedures

If the first check doesn’t show enough, more tests might be needed. These could include X-rays or CT scans to look at the tear ducts. They might also do tests to see how well tears are made and drained.

Creating a Treatment Plan

After finding out what’s wrong, a plan will be made just for you. This could include medicine, changes in your daily life, or sometimes surgery. The goal is to stop the pain and fix the problem so it doesn’t come back.

Diagnostic Approach	Description	Potential Findings
Visual Examination	Inspecting the eye and eyelid for abnormalities	Signs of infection, inflammation, or structural issues
Imaging Studies	Using X-rays or CT scans to examine tear ducts and surrounding structures	Blockages, abnormalities in tear ducts
Tear Function Tests	Assessing tear production and drainage	Dry eye syndrome, tear duct obstruction

By using a careful plan, doctors can find out why the eye corner hurts. Then, they can make a treatment plan that works. This way, they make sure they check everything and give the best treatment.

Treatment Options for Eye Corner Pain

When dealing with pain in the corner of my eye, finding the cause is the first step. Treatments range from medicines to home remedies and sometimes surgery.

Prescription Medications and Antibiotics

For inflamed outer corner of eye due to infections, doctors often prescribe antibiotics. These can be eye drops or pills, based on the infection’s type and severity. For example, dacryocystitis might need oral antibiotics.

It’s important to stick to the treatment plan to get rid of the infection. We also suggest ways to manage symptoms and aid in recovery.

Effective Home Remedies and Self-Care

For mild tenderness in corner of eye, home remedies can help. A warm compress can reduce swelling and pain. Keeping the eyelids clean is also key to remove dirt or bacteria.

Artificial tears can help with dry eye issues. If allergies are the cause, avoiding allergens and using antihistamine drops can help.

Surgical Interventions for Chronic Conditions

For chronic issues like blocked tear ducts, surgery might be needed. Procedures like dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) can open up tear drainage paths, easing pain.

Surgery can also remove growths like pinguecula or pterygium that cause irritation. Surgery is considered after other treatments fail to help.

Knowing the cause of eye corner pain is essential for the right treatment. This approach helps in providing lasting relief and preventing future problems.

Conclusion: Managing and Preventing Eye Corner Pain

Knowing why the inner eye corner hurts is key to fixing the problem. It could mean there’s an issue that needs to be looked at. By understanding the causes, like blocked tear ducts or dry eyes, we can start to feel better.

Keeping your eyes clean and avoiding things that might irritate them is important. Regular eye exams and healthy habits can also help. These steps can help prevent eye corner pain and keep your eyes healthy.

Managing eye corner pain requires both taking care of yourself and getting professional help. If the pain doesn’t go away, it’s time to see a doctor. With the right care, you can get rid of the soreness and keep your eyes in good shape.

FAQ

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-in-corner-of-eye