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Eye ache not fitting a benign syndrome needs workup to determine cause
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SAN FRANCISCO — Eye ache has benign, likely benign or not benign causes, and the reason for the ache should be determined to provide the most appropriate care, Mark L. Moster, MD, said.
"In the puzzling patient with eye ache, it's benign if you can find subtle eye findings to explain the pain on exam or if it can fit in known benign syndrome," Dr. Moster said here at the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology. "Otherwise, they need a workup with imaging [and] blood work, if it's appropriate."
He said taking a history of the patient's eye ache symptoms is crucial to determining the cause of the ache. Physicians should ask patients whether the ache is dull, stabbing, throbbing, itching or burning.
Duration of the eye ache, frequency of pain and "exacerbating and remitting factors" are also important to determine, according to Dr. Moster.
Eye ache is a “wastebasket” term that may indicate an eye or brain problem. Inflammation and elevated pressure of the brain or eye are common causes. Serious eye and brain disease are often diagnosed by eye exam and neurological exam, but brain imaging may be required to confirm or rule out a cause.
– Steven E. Feldon, MD, MBA
OSN
Neurosciences Board Member