Constant Pain/Pressure Behind Both Eyes (Seeking Help)

[jamminsport]

Bio: Hello, I'm Jim. I'm 28 and I live near Tampa, Florida. I'm seeking help with regards to eye pain. I've had constant pain behind both eyes for as long as I can remember; 8+ years. I cannot cope well with life like this anymore I'd appreciate your time and help more than you can imagine!

Pain (scale 1-10): The pain level behind both eyes is 3-4 on bad days and .5 to 1 on good days. I feel constant pressure behind both of my eyes (feels like it's on the top/behind my eye lids). The feeling is like a light to medium pinching sensation (like if you pinch your skin before it hurts too much) and is 24/7. The pain is the worst in the morning when waking up and is less at night.

Contributing Factors:
SLEEP (main): A good night's sleep will determine the day's pain level. Sleep less than 9 hours will result in a pain level of 3-4 and the entire day is hard to grind through.
LIGHT: Sensitive to light; must wear sunglasses outside (even if cloudy) and sometimes inside (hockey game/bright lights and at casino playing slot machines).
COMPUTER: Cannot be on the computer more than 15 minutes in the morning or afternoons.
READING: Cannot be on the computer more than 15 minutes in the morning or afternoons.

Remedies: A well night's sleep is most important. Used sleep medication in past, but do not want to become addicted (do not want pain killers either). The follow helps about half the pain: Advil, caffeine, high fat/high carb foods, putting coco butter on the top of my eyelids lightly, and/or a good nap.

Tried: Ophthalmologist(s) and had orbital cat scan. Eyes are healthy/no glaucoma. Tried various eye drops (some prescribed) and sinus techniques, all did not help. I gave up seeking more specialists because I could not afford more doctors visits (I do not have good health insurance); so I decided to accept the pain and cope with it. I remain on a good diet/exercise regimen and my vision is not rapidly deteriorating or had any vision loss.

Cannot: Travel, do anything in the mornings, use my computer IT degree (be on the computer for hours a day), or read much at a time. The pain effects my mood and morale

Want: I would love any suggestions/support that you can provide! I plan on paying out of pocket to speak to a neuro-ophthalmologist about my issue. After Googling, if I had to guess it's some type of nerve damage, but behind both eyes... I'm not sure how both are the same pain level. Also, I would think the pain level would be least in the mornings (after sleeping and having eyes closed), but, on the contrary, the pain level is least at night and worst in the mornings.

I would love to travel with my new girlfriend, but sleep is so paramount (to my pain level), that I must use my own bed in my blacked-out/cool room. My life revolves around me coping with this pain, and I wish I could live a normal life - wake up early, work on the computer, and just live life to the fullest!

Thank you for reading and God bless
-Jim

[MGD1701]

Hi,
Do you have other issues, such as itchy, watery, dry eyes?

Sensitive to light: likely cornea problem.

medication/yoga might help with sleep.

Dry eye can cause pain too. Did you visit cornea specialists and have your glands examined & taken the images?

[jamminsport]

Hi,
Do you have other issues, such as itchy, watery, dry eyes?

Sensitive to light: likely cornea problem.

medication/yoga might help with sleep.

Dry eye can cause pain too. Did you visit cornea specialists and have your glands examined & taken the images?

Thanks for your response,

I do not have issues with itchy, dryness, or too watery. I've tried pain medication (anti inflammatory), anti depressants, and all types of eye drops (including steroid prescription), all to no avail. Any idea on what type of medication?

Yes, I have negative results for my orbital ct scan uploaded here: https://preview.ibb.co/h7umfd/negative.png

Thanks, really appreciate your help,
-Jim

[Glucoa]

Hey Jim,

First, I would read Python's sticky at the link below first if you already haven't as he has been prescribed different medications to control pain over the years:

http://forum.dryeyezone.com/forum/dr...nduced-dry-eye

I feel I can relate to your story somewhat as I've had pain in my right eye off and on since getting PRK refractive surgery done back in 2013. I used to be on the computer 8-10 hours a day and then all of a sudden couldn't tolerate using the computer or any close electronic device for more than 20 minutes after this procedure. I believe it has to do with nerve damage as you mentioned since my doctors haven't given me a valid reason except that my eyes are very dry.

What I've done to help manage the pain, besides getting a full night of rest and making sure to blink more often, is to take Astaxanthin 4mg twice per day. You can buy a monthly supply on Amazon for roughly $12 USD. I prefer the Jarrow Brands formula.

I've noticed a significant improvement since taking this supplement along with Theralife Eye Enhanced pills for dry eyes (Expensive but definitely helps me produce more tears). I would also recommend severely limiting usage of any electronic device as much as possible.

I hope you can find relief very soon!

[hopeful_hiker]

Tried: Ophthalmologist(s) and had orbital cat scan. Eyes are healthy/no glaucoma. Tried various eye drops (some prescribed) and sinus techniques, all did not help. I gave up seeking more specialists because I could not afford more doctors visits (I do not have good health insurance); so I decided to accept the pain and cope with it. I remain on a good diet/exercise regimen and my vision is not rapidly deteriorating or had any vision loss.

Sorry to hear about your ordeal.

Have you tested your thyroid? (TSH and antibodies) Have you seen a neuro-ophthalmologist? Done an MRI (not sure if CAT scan does the same)? Do you actually have dry eyes?
In Canada all those things are covered by free healthcare, I do not know about US.

[jamminsport]

Hey Jim,

First, I would read Python's sticky at the link below first if you already haven't as he has been prescribed different medications to control pain over the years:

http://forum.dryeyezone.com/forum/dr...nduced-dry-eye

I feel I can relate to your story somewhat as I've had pain in my right eye off and on since getting PRK refractive surgery done back in 2013. I used to be on the computer 8-10 hours a day and then all of a sudden couldn't tolerate using the computer or any close electronic device for more than 20 minutes after this procedure. I believe it has to do with nerve damage as you mentioned since my doctors haven't given me a valid reason except that my eyes are very dry.

What I've done to help manage the pain, besides getting a full night of rest and making sure to blink more often, is to take Astaxanthin 4mg twice per day. You can buy a monthly supply on Amazon for roughly $12 USD. I prefer the Jarrow Brands formula.

I've noticed a significant improvement since taking this supplement along with Theralife Eye Enhanced pills for dry eyes (Expensive but definitely helps me produce more tears). I would also recommend severely limiting usage of any electronic device as much as possible.

I hope you can find relief very soon!

Thank you so much for that thread, I'll surely read it soon. Appreciate you sharing your story and the remedies that help you cope. Thankful for you time <3

[jamminsport]

Sorry to hear about your ordeal.

Have you tested your thyroid? (TSH and antibodies) Have you seen a neuro-ophthalmologist? Done an MRI (not sure if CAT scan does the same)? Do you actually have dry eyes?
In Canada all those things are covered by free healthcare, I do not know about US.

Thank you so much for your help. I have not tested my thyroid, but I just googled it and it's very interesting because I do have throat pain not in the morning weirdly, but at nighttime (the feeling if I was to push out my adam's apple a little bit but permanently). I did see a general practitioner for that, and they ruled out depression, so I didn't pursue it further.. Oh jeez :/ I have not had an MRI done, but I'm thinking of doing this after seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist on July 6th. Any suggestions regarding the thyroid check and it's relation to increase eye pressure behind my eyes?

[Rebecca Petris]

Jamminsport,

Welcome.

You don't really sound like you have dry eye or any kind of ocular surface disease stuff going on, but then there's always exceptions that don't match any common pattern.

If actual elevated intraocular pressure has been ruled out... it leaves an interesting field of other things that might be going on. Can you explain if there are specific activities triggering it? For example, you say you can't be on the computer more than 15 minutes. Do you get more pain during all activities that involve close-up focus? (Wondering if that could indicate an eye muscle issue, accommodative spasm - type things, etc.)

I totally understand about insurance limitations, but yet getting more diagnostic info may be really important for you since this is obviously very crippling.

I have known people who benefited from the neuro-ophths and others who didn't. As an example, neuro-ophthalmologists usually don't seem to have anywhere near the understanding of corneal neuropathic pain that the top cornea specialists do. But it depends on what's going on.

When I hear about the kind of pain you're describing I tend to think first about ruling out the muscular stuff as a top priority. Pediatric ophthalmologists who also deal with adult strabismus are the best resources for that.

[jamminsport]

Jamminsport,

Welcome.

You don't really sound like you have dry eye or any kind of ocular surface disease stuff going on, but then there's always exceptions that don't match any common pattern.

If actual elevated intraocular pressure has been ruled out... it leaves an interesting field of other things that might be going on. Can you explain if there are specific activities triggering it? For example, you say you can't be on the computer more than 15 minutes. Do you get more pain during all activities that involve close-up focus? (Wondering if that could indicate an eye muscle issue, accommodative spasm - type things, etc.)

I totally understand about insurance limitations, but yet getting more diagnostic info may be really important for you since this is obviously very crippling.

I have known people who benefited from the neuro-ophths and others who didn't. As an example, neuro-ophthalmologists usually don't seem to have anywhere near the understanding of corneal neuropathic pain that the top cornea specialists do. But it depends on what's going on.

When I hear about the kind of pain you're describing I tend to think first about ruling out the muscular stuff as a top priority. Pediatric ophthalmologists who also deal with adult strabismus are the best resources for that.

Thank you Rebecca,

Appreciate your help so much. Specific activities that trigger it are:

*#1 (by far) is having a bad sleep
*Bright Lights (inside or sun)
*Close Up Reading
*The computer in general

Doing anything in the mornings is just so rough. If I was to go to church 1 hour after waking up, my eyes are sore the whole day after
I need about 3-4 hours after waking, getting some caffeine (1 cup coffee), food, and going through my routine (stretching/walk outside/gym/coco butter on eyes), then I can function with minimal pain. If I don't go through my routine and get a good sleep, it's just so hard to cope.

Thank you so much for reading and your help,
-Jim

[Rebecca Petris]

I'm checking with an eye doctor friend for some more ideas. Can you elaborate on what prescription drops you have used?

[jamminsport]

Thanks Rebecca,

Unfortunately, I cannot recall what types of eyedrops; it's been a few years. I've tried prescription and over the counter, up to 5 types by my ophthalmologist. Really appreciate the support!