Have you ever felt a sharp pricking pain in your eyes? May be while going about your daily activities, in the harsh harmattan weather, and your eyes begin to feel awkward, like something must have pierced through it. Or you woke up one morning feeling a sharp pain, that could make you swear a needle was in your eyes when blinking, and you are wondering what the cause of the pain might be? This is described as needle poking sensation in eye.

Note that this needle poking sensation in eyelid can occur on both left or right eye or one side of your eyes, and this could make you so uncomfortable. Now, what are some of the conditions that could be responsible for that needle poking sensation in eye when blinking that makes you feel the piercing pain or sharp pain?

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF NEEDLE POKING SENSATION IN EYE

1. DRY EYES

Dry eyes are a disease that occurs when there is not enough lubrication in the eyes. That is, the eyes are unable to produce enough tears which leads to inflammation and damage of the eye surface. Dry eyes can cause a lot of discomforts, making you feel you have something in your eyes.

It is common among people who work on the computer screen for a long time. You may also start experiencing dry eyes while on a plane, in an air-conditioned room, or while riding a bike in a less humid atmosphere.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

A person with dry eyes will experience some of these symptoms;

Redness of the eyes
Blurred vision
Stinging, burning, or itchy sensation
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
And even needle poking sensation in eye

When you notice any of the symptoms, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist so you could quickly start treatment.

2. Cornel Abrasion and Ulcer can also lead to Needle Poking Sensation in Eye

Corneal abrasion is the loss of a large surface of the cornea of the eyes, which ulcerates if left untreated. Metal, wood, glass, or almost any type of particle that strikes the cornea can cause an abrasion. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the cornea. It often appears as a gray or white translucent area on the normally clear cornea. It is common among contact lens wearers.

Scratches on the edge of the lens, tiny particles of dirt trapped underneath the lens, long wear of the lens which blocks oxygen from the cornea, could make the cornea open to an infection causing corneal ulcer. The ulcer could be caused by bacterial, fungi, or viral infection. Severe dry eyes also contribute to the development of the ulcer.

Symptoms of Corneal Abrasion and Ulcer

Severe pain
Redness of the eyes
Swelling and tearing
A white spot on the cornea
Blurred vision

You should talk with an ophthalmologist when you begin to notice these symptoms because if left untreated, this could lead to the serious problem of blindness.

3. GLAUCOMA

Aside from being inherited, glaucoma can be caused by a blunt or chemical injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blocked blood vessels inside the eye, and inflammation. This occurs as the pressure inside the eyes increases.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Redness of the eyes
Severe eye pain
Seeing a halo around light
Loss of vision

4. Presence of Foreign Objects may also lead to Needle Poking Sensation in eye

Although all these other conditions give the sensation of the presence of an object, sometimes it could be that there is an object in your eyes, even if you can not see it. Sharp pains in the eyes are most times due to the presence of debris in your eyes. It causes a stabbing burning sensation.

This occurs when particles like dust or dirt get into your eyes causing irritation and pains.This pain and irritation can be treated using water or a saline eyewash to rinse your eyes, but should the pain persist and increase, you should see an optometrist as you may be having more serious conditions.

Treatments and Remedy of Needle Poking Sensation in Eye

Contact lens users should give their cornea time to heal by using glasses instead.

If a foreign body gets into your eyes, the fast remedy is to use water or saline solution to rinse your eyes.

Use of antibiotics and eye drops may be prescribed by your doctor, for conditions such as cornea abrasion.

Surgery is done in very rare cases of eye pain, but when it comes down to it, surgery is done to fix whatever damage has been done to the eyes by physical or chemical agents.

Your doctor might also put you on pain medication or herbal eye tea to help subside the pains. Always consult your doctor before taking any eye supplements

Conclusion

Eye pain that occurs deeper within the eyes may feel aching, stabbing, or throbbing, although certain times it is as a result of having migraines, other times it could be very serious conditions such as glaucoma and uveitis. Glaucoma is a sudden condition, and this is why when your eye pains persist longer than 3 hours, you should see your doctor.