To wake up with fresh eyes and a fresh mind is a great feeling. That is why when you the first thing you experience in the morning is itchiness, pressure, or pain in the eyes, your whole day can take a turn for the negative.
Wondering why do my eyes hurt when I wake up? A one-time pain may not be a pressing issue. However, if the pain in your eyes is worse in the morning and continues during the day, quick action is crucial. Let’s start with finding out the problem.
Eyes Hurt After Waking Up: Signs and Possible Causes:
Eye feeling sticky, a little weary, or even slightly swollen—all these signs are common, especially if you suffer from hormone imbalance problems. A slight wonky feeling may not be a concern, but pain is a serious matter.
You know that your eye needs care if the pain feels serious, includes immense pressure, is paired by swelling or redness, or both. Your eye may water, and your corneas or outer side may feel quite itchy.
Is that how your eyes feel? Then the question ‘why do my eyes hurt when I wake up’ may be a medical answer. It is best to visit a doctor ASAP. But if you want to be sure, or want to know what you have to take some OTC topical or oral relief meds, are the most common causes of eye pain in the morning:
- Dry Eye
- Pink Eye
- Blepharitis
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Recurrent Epithelial Erosion
- Eye Allergies
- Contact Lens Issues
In this guide, we will go over each of these common eye issues. Your eyes hurting when you wake up can be quite tiring—more so when you have a busy day. Knowing the root cause can enable you to get proper help without delays.
- Dry Eye Syndrome
One of the main reasons for eye pain when waking up is dry eye. This illness occurs when your eyes either do not produce enough tears or the tears fade too quickly. While you sleep, your eyes may not get the chance to fully refresh, which results in a buildup of debris and dryness on the eye’s surface.
As a result, you may wake up with dry eyes. It is a fairly common issue—but one that can lead to a lot of pain. You should note that in case this problem only occurs in the morning, then it could be since your eyelids do not close properly during sleep.
If you have dry eye, then there will be other signs along with the lack of lubrication on the eye’s surface. The low moisture is paired with constant dryness, a gritty feeling, burning, and redness. Moreover, you may even have a hard time fully opening your eyes after waking up.
It may help to apply moisturizing eye drops before you go to sleep. If this remedy does not work, consult your optometrist directly for a more proper course of care. If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen, try and take more breaks. The discomfort from dry eye increases due to less blinking when you use digital devices.
2. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye—also known as conjunctivitis is discomfort in the eye due to an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. When you are uncertain why do my eyes hurt when I wake up, try and figure out if it feels like there’s something stuck in your eye. When the conjunctiva—the thin membrane that lines the inside of your eyelid—is inflamed, your eye may also be watery, itching, and irritated.
There are several types of pink eye, the most common ones including:
- Allergic
- Bacterial (non-gonococcal)
- Gonococcal
- Viral
You may notice the signs of the pink eye upon waking. Aside from the signs above, your tear production may also decrease during sleep. As a result, your discomfort may worsen.
It is important to know that pink eye can be a result of either a viral or bacterial infection. It can even be a result of allergies. Typically, your pink eye may resolve on its own. However, if it’s caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be needed.
Note: It’s vital to note that pink eye is very contagious. Wash your hands any time you touch your eye to help protect your family and friends from this issue.
3. Blepharitis (Eyelid Inflammation)
It can be common to wonder why do my eyes hurt in the morning when the problem is not obvious. However, know that pain in the eyes upon waking may not be an issue with your ‘eyes’. Rather, the problem may be with your eyelids.
Blepharitis is inflammation in the eyelids, and it can lead to pain in the eyes due to swelling. This issue usually stems from a bacterial or yeast infection. The first sign of an eyelid infection is usually the feeling of having something gritty in your eye. Moreover, you may feel irritation and swelling in the eyelids.
There are two types of blepharitis: anterior and posterior.
- Anterior blepharitis can result from bacteria or dandruff from your scalp and eyebrows.
- Posterior blepharitis is usually due to abnormal oil production that fosters bacterial growth.
Symptoms of eyelid infection also include burning itching, tearing, crusty discharge, and redness. Blepharitis takes fairly long to heal, but the good news is that it’s not catching. It also does not typically impair your vision, though it may hinder vision due to the symptoms.
4. Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Why do my eyes hurt when I wake up when I have not have not had eye pain before? The answer may be angle-closure glaucoma. This eye issue is in fact a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment—thus knowing the signs is crucial. The problem occurs when the fluid in your eye is unable to drain properly. Your iris bulges and blocks the drain path of your cornea. The pressure that arises as a result can be risky, as it can result in vision loss.
Common signs of angle-closure glaucoma include a sudden sharp pain in one eye, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If you notice blurred vision along with eye pain and headache, then know that the issue. Know that if you naturally have narrow drainage angles, then this issue may develop slowly over time.
If you wake up in the morning and your eye issues point to angle-closure glaucoma, get medical care as soon as possible. In case you have a loss of vision with your pain and discomfort, know that a medical expert’s treatment is all the more crucial.
5. Recurrent Epithelial Erosion
Recurrent epithelial erosion is when your cornea suffers an injury, usually starting out as a scratch. So, if your eyes hurt after waking up after you have had an injury to your cornea—or you had something lodged in your eye—it is possible that the issue has become more serious.
- Your cornea is a clear protective layer covering the iris and the pupil.
- If something rough or sharp gets under your eyelid and scratches the cornea, pain and discomfort will follow.
- A blister develops on the area where the injury does not heal correctly.
- While you sleep, the blister can glue to your eyelid, and tear when you wake up.
Thus, even if you have had your injury a while back, these eye issues can show up after weeks. Any time you have something in your eye, rinse it out with water. If the feeling persists, visit your
optometrist.
For the time being, avoid rubbing your eyes. In case of changes in your vision or increased sensitivity to light, get medical help without delay. Your doctor may give you antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection, along with pain relievers.
6. Eye Allergies
The solution to why do my eyes hurt when I wake up can be one of your first guesses: That’s right: allergies.
Essentially, an allergic reaction is your body going on high alert, working hard to eliminate an allergen, even if it’s not something that poses a serious risk to any of your organs. The common signs of allergies are usually sneezing, runny nose, and coughing.
Your body exhibits that it is reacting to something. Whether it’s dust, pet hair, pollen, or other irritants, the causes of allergies can be quite annoying.
Unfortunately, among the common signs of allergies, your eyes are also vulnerable. Eyes are a sensitive part of the body, and allergies can affect them in some cases. So, if you have an uncomfortable feeling in your eyes when you wake up, try to figure out if you have allergies. You may have symptoms like itchy and watery eyes, redness, and swelling.
In case of severe allergies, you may also have sensitivity to light and hazy vision. Most eye allergy symptoms intensify while you’re sleeping as your body’s immune system relaxes. Lucky for you, over-the-counter allergy medications and a short visit to the doctor can resolve the issue. about website
7. Contact Lens Problems
Do you use contact lenses? Are you also waking up one day and wondering why do my eyes hurt in the morning? Your contact lenses may be the reason for this eye discomfort. Yes, you are careful about removing your contact lenses at night, but the issues stemming from these can persist way after you take them off. Here are a few things you should know:
- Wearing lenses constantly—even those not meant for long-term wear—can cause irritation, redness, and even issues like corneal ulcers.
- Keeping your lenses clean is crucial. The slightest dirt in your lenses can result in building issues—and pain.
- Old lenses are just as much an issue as unclean ones. You may need to replace your lenses sooner than expiry when you use them constantly.
- Make sure to follow your eye care provider’s guidelines on proper wear and hygiene. Your optometrist may recommend medicated eye drops along with lenses.
Other times, you may need to alter your lens routine. Diet and meds may also affect your use of lenses, so you may need supplements to boost your eye health. If discomfort persists even with new, fresh, clean lenses, consider switching to daily lenses or glasses for a while with your doctor’s advice.
Prevention and Treatment for Eye Pain When Waking Up:
Washing your eyes, good overall hygiene, keeping them moist with eye drops, and constant eye checkups all help. Follow these details of good eye care to prevent eye pain when waking up:
- Make sure that your eyes stay moist, especially if you live somewhere dry and dusty. If you wear lenses, or use screens for too long, hydration is all the more vital.
- Wash your hands before touching your eyes. Also, wash your eyes well take off makeup or lenses, and when you come from outside.
- Make it a habit to touch your eyes less. This can help lower the chances of developing infections that might cause pain.
And finally, go for regular check-ups, especially if you have a vision problem and you wear glasses or contact lenses. In case you do have an infection and your eyes hurt after waking up, here are some of the ways your specialist will treat eye pain:
- Artificial Tears: These drops add moisture to the eyes, providing relief from pain due to dryness.
- Antibiotics and Antihistamines: You need antibiotics in case of pain due to eye infection—oral or topical. You will notice relief within 3-4 days of starting the care. For eye pain due to allergies, your doctor will prescribe antihistamines to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Warm Compress: A warm compress can soothe pain in case of many eye issues. The heat enhances blood flow, helps regulate oil production, and may even disintegrate blockages in the eyes.
Bottom Line: The Best Course of Action?
There is no one and simple answer to why do my eyes hurt when I wake up!
Dust and pollution, injury, allergy, contact lens wear, and even other medical issue can be the source of your eye pain. That said, no matter the reason, always take fast action to prevent further discomfort and damage to your eyes. If you are unsure when the root cause is, it’s important to contact a doctor. For eye pain in the morning that occurs with other signs or shortly, medical care is the best course of action.