When you’re sick, it’s not just your energy that takes a hit, your whole body feels the strain. You may even notice that your eyes don’t get a break. They may feel sore, achy, or just plain tired, adding to the discomfort you’re already dealing with.
Your eyes may hurt when you’re sick because of inflammation, sinus pressure, or dehydration. These symptoms usually improve as your illness passes. If they don’t, we’re here to help you understand what’s going on.
Common Illnesses That Cause Eye Pain
Eye discomfort doesn’t always come directly from your eyes themselves. Instead, it often stems from illnesses that impact other parts of your body.
Colds & the Flu
Viral infections like colds or the flu are notorious for causing a variety of discomforts—including sore, sensitive eyes. When your body fends off a virus, inflammation increases. This can cause pressure around your sinuses that radiates to your eyes, resulting in discomfort or a dull ache.
Colds and the flu can also raise your risk of conjunctivitis.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are a top contender for eye pain, as they directly impact the area surrounding your eyes. Swollen sinuses can put pressure on your orbital region, creating a tight, painful sensation around your eyes. This pain often worsens when you bend over or lie down.
Seasonal Allergies
If you’re sneezing, congested, and teary-eyed all at once, it could be because you’re dealing with common eye allergies. Allergies can trigger inflammation that leads to irritation, swelling, and redness.
While not an illness in the traditional sense, allergic reactions mimic cold symptoms and can play a direct role in eye pain.
Physiological Reasons for Eye Pain
Your body usually works like a well-oiled machine, with each part doing its job. Unfortunately, this interconnectedness goes both ways, and a seemingly unrelated illness often affects other parts of your body. Here’s how:
Inflammation
When your body battles a virus or infection, it kicks its inflammatory response into gear. While inflammation helps your body heal, it can also affect surrounding areas.
Sinus Pressure
Your sinuses and eyes are closely linked both in function and location. When your sinuses swell—either due to infection, allergies, or another condition—the resulting pressure doesn’t stay confined to your nasal passages. Instead, nearby structures like your eyes also bear the brunt of the discomfort.
Dry Eye
Typically, your eyes can keep themselves comfortable and refreshed. When you’re under the weather, hydration often takes a backseat as your body loses more fluids than it takes in. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes, with symptoms including:
- Stinging or burning eyes
- A gritty feeling in your eyes
- Red eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision or trouble focusing
This is particularly common during illnesses with high fevers, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Relieving Eye Pain From Sickness
While eye pain can add to the discomfort of being sick, relief is within reach. You’re already taking care of your illness, so consider a few extra adjustments to care for your eyes as well:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and fluids like herbal tea or clear broths. Staying hydrated can help alleviate dry eye symptoms and reduce overall inflammation.
- Apply warm compresses: A warm, damp washcloth over your eyes can help relieve sinus pressure and soothe aching muscles around your eyes.
- Keep your eyes moist: Use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops to combat dryness. This is especially helpful if you’re taking medications like antihistamines for allergies, which may dry your eyes out further.
- Take breaks from screens: Recovery often means spending a lot of time resting. Still, limit your time in front of TVs, smartphones, or laptops when you’re ill. Give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Turn down the lights: If light sensitivity is a problem, dimming lights and avoiding harsh glares can create a more comfortable setting.
When to Seek Professional Care
While most eye pain during sickness resolves as you recover, some situations may require medical attention. Consult your eye care professional if you experience:
- Severe or worsening eye pain that doesn’t improve with home remedies
- Changes in vision, such as blurriness or difficulty focusing
- Symptoms of an eye infection, like redness, discharge, or swelling
- Persistent discomfort after recovering from illness
We can assess your symptoms during an eye exam to uncover any hidden causes. Early intervention can help relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Help Yourself Stay Healthy
Staying well is your best defence against illness and any related eye discomfort it may bring. Here are a few steps to safeguard your health:
- Practice good hand hygiene: Washing your hands regularly reduces the risk of catching or spreading viruses.
- Stay up-to-date with vaccinations: Flu shots and other vaccines can decrease your risk of infection and its secondary symptoms.
- Get adequate sleep: Rest plays a crucial role in maintaining a strong immune system to fight off sickness.
- Use a humidifier: Dry air can worsen sinus issues and contribute to dry eyes. A humidifier keeps moisture levels balanced and supports eye comfort.
- Manage allergies proactively: If allergies trigger inflammation and discomfort for you, stock up on allergy medications or consult your doctor about pre-season preparations.
See Comfort Clearly with West Coast Optical
Eye pain while you’re sick is common, but lingering discomfort shouldn’t be ignored. A comprehensive eye exam can uncover the cause and provide lasting relief. At West Coast Optical, our team is here to support your comfort and protect your vision.Schedule your appointment today and see why so many trust us with their family’s eye health!
