Differential Diagnosis for Eye Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Dry eye syndrome: This is a common condition that can cause eye pain, especially if the eyes are dry for an extended period. It's often related to inadequate tear production or poor tear quality.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Conjunctivitis: This is an inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergens and is characterized by redness, itching, and discharge.
- Blepharitis: An inflammation of the eyelids that can cause eye pain, redness, and swelling. It's often associated with a bacterial or demodex mite infestation.
- Corneal abrasion: A scratch on the cornea, the clear dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. This can be very painful and may cause redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma: A medical emergency that occurs when the pressure in the eye increases rapidly due to a blockage of the drainage canals. Symptoms include severe eye pain, blurred vision, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
- Endophthalmitis: A severe inflammation of the interior of the eye, usually caused by an infection. It's a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent vision loss.
- Orbital cellulitis: An infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, which can cause pain, swelling, and redness of the eyelids and the eye itself. It can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Scleritis: A severe inflammatory disease that affects the sclera (the white part of the eye). It can cause eye pain, redness, and tenderness, and may be associated with systemic diseases.
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It can cause eye pain, sensitivity to light, and vision problems, and may be associated with systemic diseases or infections.
- Optic neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause eye pain, vision loss, and impaired color vision. It may be associated with multiple sclerosis or other systemic diseases.