I was woken up in the middle of last night by a sharp pain in my right eye. It felt like someone stabbed the inside of my eye with a needle. It was very painful. It happened few more times afterward throughout my sleep though in lesser intensity, but they still hurt terribly. The pain in my eye lasted almost the whole following day. I have no choice but try to bear it when the pain isn’t too strong, but I’d definitely need medical attention when it gets as strong and painful as that last night. The problem is I need to make appointment to see a doctor and won’t be able to get help right away. It happened frequently in the past. I had been to the doctor few times for treatment and examination because of that. My doctor thought my eye problem was simply due to dryness in the eyes and nothing else. So he prescribed eye droplets to me and sent me away. I really disagreed with his diagnosis but I couldn’t offer any other explanation. I did use the droplets as instructed but evidently it didn’t work, just like last night.
Unfortunately it is only one of many symptoms that associate with my sleep disorder for the past ten years. I’ve been getting this highly focused poking-like sensation which hits all over my body including my ears, nose and eyes. This sensation has different degree of intensity ranging from strong and powerful which hits me like a hammer to sharp and prickly which stabs me like a needle. It causes me great pain and seriously interrupts my sleep.
Can anyone out there offer me a better diagnosis or explanation as to what’s happened to my eyes? It seems that my doctor has underestimated the problem and downplayed my symptoms. I tried to convey to him how painful it was, but sadly he just casually dismissed it as dryness in the eye and nothing out of the ordinary. It is obviously wrong.
Please help.
I finally got a chance to see my ophthalmologist for the eye pain happened last week as described above. Basically my eye is somewhat injured that night. There is a small scratch in it which, according to him, was caused by my dried eyes. Again, I disagree for the piecing pain was way too severe to be caused by dried eyes alone. Besides, my eyes didn’t really feel that dry that night, and I did take eye drops before I went to bed. They had to be dry like sand paper to cause such pain. I am very confused. Please help.
"...There is a small scratch in it ..."
That might be corneal abrasion then ?..... ?originally caused by your eye being dry?
Can be 'very uncomfortable' ( med speeeek for screaming agony )
Did the ophthalmologist suggest why your eye might have been so dry.?
Were you given any drops to use ?
Hi you guys
Have you read whats on this website -
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/ask-the-optician/sharp-pains-in-eye-as-if-a-needle-has-gone-into-it-then-it-goes-bloodshot/
I've had some terrible times with the sharp quick needle type pain but since spraying my eye lids with the slightly more expensive Optrex Actimist 2 in 1 they seem to have stopped. Normal eye drops didn't stop them.
Hope this helps.
Hi rex carr,
Good question. He didn’t explain to me why and how my eyes would get as dry as he thinks they are, but I should’ve asked it myself. I could make an educated guess though as to why my eyes are so dry. As mentioned above, I’ve been suffering from a terrible sleep disorder for the past ten years and experiencing constant fatigue on daily basis. Lack of sleep must have a lot to do it, plus I work in front of a computer everyday; that just worsens the situation I suppose. That’s just a guess, not diagnosis. I did receive eye drops as treatment, but they are not particularly effective in my case I’m afraid.
Hi smh2409,
Thanks for the website. Interesting info. I wish my doctor were that informative…….
I did follow instruction from my doctor and applied eye drops before I went to bed, and yet I still got piecing eye pain during sleep. It happened last night and few times since my last post. What did I do wrong?
Hi BC2013 - before trying to blame yourself for doing anything 'wrong' ask yourself "is there any other
illness attacking my body". It could be as simple as a cold sore to something major. How old are you as
this has an affect too.
Like i've stated earlier normal eye drops don't work against this eye-pain. Buy yourself some off the shelf
Optrex Actimist 2 in 1 and spray everyday.
However if you have another illness - even cold sores etc , or painful joints esp the hip(s) - it all could be
related ie. a compromised immune system. If so the conversation with your doctor should be completely different. Tell him/her everything that is going on.
The nerve system of your eye goes from the back of your brain through the middle to your eye-ball so if
your auto immune system is affecting your nerve system, serotonin, dopamine and endorphin levels then
the whole issue cascades into serious GP/consultant monitoring.
BUT try the Optrex Actimist 2 in 1 for a while you could be pleasantly surprised but be disciplined and use it everyday by spraying on the eyelids.
Also help your immune system in the meantime with a Vitamin tablet everyday (if you are 50+ THEN A
50+VITAMIN would be very useful).
This is all from a patient who has been there now with no more sharp eye pains.
Thinking of you and you're in my prayers.
Hi smh2409,
Thanks for your concern and prayer. I’m really touched.
Actually eye pain is only one of the numerous problems I have. I’m also experiencing a muscle disorder-like symptom, and I have problem with my ears as well. I believe sleep disorder is the root cause for all that. I have been suffering from a really serious sleep disorder for more than ten years. It causes severe sleep deprivation. I’m plagued with chronic fatigue on daily basis. Lack of sleep does bring out a whole bunch of other problems that make the whole experience even worse. It is strange and complicated.
Sadly, I don’t have a cure for it or anything that would alleviate my pain and suffering. I have bad days and worse days. I’ve become numb to all that now. I just get by everyday trying to lead as normal a life as I possibly can. I don’t know what normal life is anymore. My entire life has been held hostage by these illnesses. I lost ten years of being a normal person, doing normal things or having a normal social life without feeling the torturous mental and physical fatigue. I don’t even know if I would ever recuperate from it. Sometimes I feel like the devil himself is riding on my back torturing me just for kicks.
The worse part is that I’ve been suffering all that alone and in absolute silence. No one really knows about it apart from the fact that I look dead tired and miserable everyday. Yet I must put on a smile when dealing with colleagues, etc. just to be polite. It has been my life for the past decade. Sorry to bore you with my troubles. Thanks again for your kindness. Take care.
BC
hiya BC2013,
Reading about you was like reading about myself and I could add some. I know exactly what you are
going through. Its an old cliche but - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I've been there for 9 and half years it'll be 10
years come October 19th. Has your GP talked to you about any future consultation with a Specialist at a
Hospital or Sleep Clinic.
I also have a background with many years of IT working in Computing.
BUT try the Optrex Actimist 2 in 1 for a while. You could be pleasantly surprised but be disciplined and
use it everyday by spraying on the eyelids.
Your outer lids will become plump and softer-skinned too which gives your face a nice feeling.
Praying forf you
1 Peter 2 v 24 if you have a bible.
Just a little extra qu : Did your ophthalmologist show you any images of the inside of your eye(s) and discuss the state of your nerves inside or anything?
Hi smh2409,
Unfortunately my ophthalmologist didn’t go into that kind of detail examination with me or show me anything. He just told me, without going into any detail, that my problem was rather common and it was caused by dried eyes. That was pretty much it. He did propose a “small procedure” to me which required an implant of a thin little black thing about 2mm in length directly into the lower inside corner of the eye. He said it was a popular procedure for those who had laser surgery. I wasn’t sure about it at all. So I received couple Optive eye drops and a B&L eye gel instead. But they are not very effective. Perhaps I should ask for the spray you mention next time.
Thanks again.
Oh I'm sorry the specialist wasn't more forth coming with images etc. I've recently been to specsavers for an eye check and the last machine they tested my eyes with gave a inside view of my eye - the nerves, blood vessels and the back of the eye. It was very informative.
Maybe you should give it a go one saturday or make an appointment when you're not working - if your branch dont offer to show the images you can ask there and then I''m sure they'll oblige (good customer service and all that). It could give you peace of mind with regard your nerve endings in you eyes.
The spray by the way is off the shelf from any supermarket but an ophthalmologist/GP may be able to prescribe. One bottle has lasted ages.
Hi I have the same problem here in Canada and the eye specialist and emergency ward AND the optometrist all downplayed my symptoms as well!
What works best for me is to steam my eye's, I lost my vision almost completely one day and it took me days of standing in the bathroom with the shower on hot and the fan off until i figured out just use the steam kettle! IT WORKS MY VISION CAME BACK and it reduces the eye pain enough where i can fall asleep on the floor by the kettle! Day time is worst because of the light 
The pain gets so bad my eyes literally fall apart and turn bloody. It is not allergy or any bacteria, doctors claim it's a VIRUS! But they don't know anything about viruses besides that they can't treat them.
STEAM KETTLE: Get as close to the heat as you can keep eyes closed for abit and raise your head up to the not so hot area of the steam and open your eyes, also it helps to not scratch your eyes and KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED FORWARD, I had to keep my eyes staring straight forth for 3 days because if I looked in any direction but forward my eyes would rip and shred, super painful! Also not using my big screen plasma TV but now using a small monitor helped big-time.
STEAM KETTLE WILL HELP!
It's been some time since you first reached out regarding your symptoms. I hope this message finds you well, and feeling fine. In case you are still suffering with pain, let me suggest you begin your quest for answers by asking yourself some of the logical questions a good family doctor would ask, such as:
1) How's your sinus health? Are you prone to frequent allergies and/or infections throughout the year? A recurrent history of ongoing nasal ailments and allergies could produce the sharp pain in the eye that you've described.
2) Have you changed climates recently? Did you leave a cold northern region for a warm desert climate? Did you exodus a crowded city in the eastern US for a tropical southern climate? Trade Santa Barbara for a cabin on an island off the coast of Washington? If so, the humidity could not only play a role in your chronic dry eyes, but you might also be dealing with a variety of new allergens - molds.
Before you jump to frighteningly serious conclusions, just know that pain above the chin feels more extreme because the nerves involved are very close to the brain stem. The nerve signals have only a short distance to travel. Therefore, the slightest discomfort is magnified significantly. The same level of pain, if manifested in your toe, would be diminished.
I respect the human body and what medicine can do to fix it, but I also subscribe to the belief that our bodies are the map of what's going on in our minds and souls. On that basis, I'd I'd wager you've experienced some abrupt emotional change recently, a traumatic event that makes it difficult for you to look ahead with joy.
If you've considered and tried all this, then go deeper still. I wish you all the best. Please feel free to contact me. I have no motive except just to hear that you are free of pain in every way.
God bless,
JG
Thank you everyone I am currently having the piercing eye pain and eye drops have not helped. I have been referred to an opthalmologist but will
try the drops you have recommended. I am post menopausal and guessed I might simply have dry eyes. The pain is excruciating.
I hope it goes well for you with yr opthalmologist. Pls understand the situation 'post menopausal' does not mean you have just got to live with it from now on please drill yr opthalmologist about (1) balancing yr hormones; (2) checking yr thyroid as Thyroid dry eyes can reveal inflammation (3) and how you close your eyes (awake and sleeping)
If they are worth their salt they'll address all and more of these issues.
Reading from net:-
http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause-perimenopause/dry-eyes-and-hormone-imbalance/
All the best
Prayer being said for you right now.
Thank you. I did find that not using the computer for 24 hours helped.
I have severe eye pain all the time. it's only in my right eye, it's extremely sensetive to light so bad that I have to go lie down go to sleep or it will swell shut. I have to put a cold compress on it and it waters like crazy. I've been to the emergency room because it was swollen shut and hurting so bad. They did all kinds if tests and found nothing. I've been to two eye Dr.'s and they two have done a series of tests and don't know what to do. The only thing that remotely helps is ibeprfan and I have to take about 6 to times a day to take away the swelling... Any advice would help
I have severe pain deep behind my right eye, it is so intense it wakes me up on a night at about 4/5am. It has been on and off but has came back with a vengence and has now been constant for 5 days. Having only one 'good eye' which is my right eye and does all the work for both of my eyes my optician was concerned and referred me straight to hospital.. they put it down to dryness after a few tests. I was given drops and told to take ibuprofen and sent on my way. The ibuprofen masks the pain but as soon as it wears off its back and very intense. I went to a 3rd private optician today and he explained that no pain this intense can be down to dryness, he said it may cause irritation but not agony and not to the point where it wakes me up. I am now trying sinus tablets but I do not believe this to be the problem either. If anyone could suggest anything I'd be very greatful as everyday my concern grows as does the pain. The sinus tablets do not appear to be working yet and a process of elimination as begun.. If anyone had any suggestions or could help me I'd be so grateful, not sure where t turn now.
Thankyou 
x
I think I have a similar problem to yours, maybe the same thing.
I've been having it for at least 15+ years and it usually only happens in the Fall, but has also occured in the Spring and Summer.
It usually occurs for a week or 2, but currently it's going on for 2 weeks plus. I wake up in the middle night with extreme pain in my left eye, like it's being pushed out of the socket. Normally a hot shower helps it, and it did when it first started, but now it's just getting worse. It started out with once a night, but currently it's been waking me up every 1-2 hours.
As much as I can tell it's a Sinus problem, but unfortunately Sinus medication doesn't seem to help at all. It only happens at night when I'm sleeping, so I assume it has something to do with my sleep position. I've been using my toddler son's Saline Spray to limited effect, it seems to help the problem a little bit, but it takes a while and doesn't really last that long. I seem to recall massaging the area did help one year, I had forgotten about that and will try that tonight. From what I remember massaging the temples behind the eye will help drain the sinus's.
I went to the doctor once when it first started happening and he did numerous eye tests and there was nothing wrong. He came to the conclusion that it was SInus's.
My best guess is that mine is all due to allergies. I have 20/20 vision and other than these excrutiatingly painful eye popping episodes at night, my eyes feel fine. They also seem to go away within a few weeks and since I'm going on vacation in a week I expect it to at least be gone when I'm out of town. I'll post here again if anything gets better, but hopefully some of my suggestions will give someone else relief.