In the 'Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about eye pain:
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Are you experiencing eye pain that is not caused by an injury? Include any burning, throbbing, aching or stabbing sensation.
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
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"Don't know" |
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| 2. |
"No" |
Absence of eye pain |
A symptom |
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"In the past only" |
History of eye pain |
A risk factor |
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"Yes, in one eye only" |
Pain in one eye |
A symptom |
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"Yes, in both eyes" |
Pain in both eyes |
A symptom |
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Your answer to the question above will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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5 |
A Potentially Urgent Medical Need |
Severe eye pain should be investigated aggressively to prevent the possible consequence of blindness. |
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5 |
Glaucoma |
Acute glaucoma causes episodes of severe eye pain. |
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5 |
Iritis |
Although it is more common for just one eye to be affected during an attack of iritis, both eyes may be affected at the same time. There are several symptoms of iritis that are fairly specific to it, one being 'contralateral photosensitivity'. This means that the eye with iritis will feel pain even if light is shined into the OTHER eye only. |
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GLOSSARY
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Glaucoma
A disease of the eye characterized by vision loss due to an increase in the pressure of fluid within the eye. This rise in pressure results from a build-up of aqueous fluid and leads to progressive damage to the optic nerve that transmits visual signals to the brain. Over time, glaucoma can lead to a gradual loss in peripheral vision. There are usually no signs that you're developing glaucoma until vision loss occurs.
Iritis (Rheumatoid Iritis, Viral Iritis)
Inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye. Rheumatoid Iritis: An autoimmune (rheumatoid factor) inflammation of the iris. This is a face of rheumatoid arthritis seldom diagnosed, along with rheumatoid otitis. Viral Iritis: A viral infection of the iris. It appears red and swollen, and pupil contraction and relaxation is erratic and pulled. The usual cause is a herpes infection, often resident in the trigeminal nerve, and reoccurring during times of stress or sympathetic to a larger viral condition.
Last updated: Jul 23, 2010
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