Waking up with sore eyes can be uncomfortable and worrying. Various factors, including dry eyes, poor sleep environment, eyestrain, or underlying medical conditions like blepharitis or conjunctivitis, can cause this pain. So, understanding these causes can help you take steps to prevent and treat morning eye pain, ensuring your eyes feel refreshed and comfortable each day.

Why Do My Eyes Hurt When I Wake Up?

There are several that can cause your eyes to hurt when you wake up. Let’s discuss some of them.

Eye Strain

Eye strain occurs when you engage in activities that require your eyes to focus intensely over a long period, like driving, reading, drawing, or embroidery. This makes your eyes exhausted from being overworked. Exposing your eyes to digital screens like computers, TVs, and phones for extended periods can also lead to eyestrain. Eye strain makes you feel a dull ache behind your eyes. 

Other symptoms include the eyes feeling itchy, burning, or stinging. It can also cause your eyes to become extra sensitive to light.

To prevent eyestrain, always take breaks when engaging in these activities. If you intend to spend a long period in front of a screen, be sure to follow the 20/20/20 rule. This rule advises that you look away from the digital screen every 20 minutes and look at an object 20 feet from you for about 20 seconds. You can also use a cold compress on your eyes while you rest to relieve discomfort if you’re experiencing eye strain.

However, if you notice you suffer eye strain often, we advise you to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis. They may also prescribe reading glasses or anti-fatigue glasses to help mitigate the condition.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are another common cause of eye pain. Dry eyes happen when your eyes don't make enough tears or when the tears dry up too quickly. This leaves your eyes feeling dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. It also makes them sensitive to light, and you may also feel a stinging or burning sensation in your eyes as a result. Common causes include aging, certain medications, medical conditions like diabetes, environmental factors like wind or smoke, and prolonged screen time.

To treat dry eyes, use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist. Also, take breaks from screens often, especially if you intend to be in front of the screen for a long period. You can also get a humidifier for your room so your tears don’t evaporate quickly from your eyes anymore. Avoid windy or smoky environments as much as you can. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor for possible prescription treatments or lifestyle changes.

Foreign Debris and Scratches

Foreign particles in your eye or scratches to the cornea can cause eye pain. When a particle like dust, sand, or an eyelash gets into your eye, it can irritate the sensitive tissues and cause discomfort, redness, and watering. A scratch on the cornea called a corneal abrasion, can be very painful because the cornea has many nerve endings. It may feel like something is stuck in your eye, and you might have blurred vision or sensitivity to light. 

To remove a particle from your eye, gently rinse it with clean water or saline solution. Blink several times to help flush out the particle, or use a clean, damp cloth to wipe it away carefully. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to rinse your eye with clean water and seek medical attention if the pain persists to avoid infection or further damage.

Cluster Headaches, Sinus Infections, and Migraines

Cluster headaches, sinus infections, and migraines can all cause eye pain. Cluster headaches are intense and often focus around one eye, causing severe pain and redness. There are four pairs of sinuses, and two of them are located around your eyes. If any of these sinuses are infected, they can lead to pressure and pain around the eyes because of inflammation and congestion.

Migraines can also cause throbbing pain that sometimes spreads to the eye area, which is often accompanied by sensitivity to light and visual disturbances. These conditions can make the eyes feel sore and uncomfortable. If you experience eye pain with these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

You Need a New Eye Prescription

Your eyes can also hurt if your prescription glasses need to be changed. Wearing the wrong prescription can strain your eyes, leading to discomfort, headaches, blurred vision, and eye pain. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to have your eyes checked by an optometrist to update your prescription and ensure your prescription glasses are helping you see clearly and comfortably.

Contact Lens Overuse or Irritation

Contact lens overuse or irritation can also cause your eyes to hurt. Contact lenses are good because they provide clear vision without the weight and bulk of glasses. They also allow for better peripheral vision and more freedom in activities like sports. They don’t fog up or get splattered by rain, making them convenient for various weather conditions. However, wearing contact lenses for too long can lead to dryness, discomfort, and even eye infections. 

You also need to be extra careful about keeping them as clean and sterile as possible. Irritation from lenses that are dirty, damaged, or not fitting properly can cause redness, pain, and a gritty feeling in your eyes. It's important to follow your eye care provider's instructions for wearing and caring for your contact lenses to avoid these issues.

Eye Conditions and Diseases

Aside from the causes already mentioned so far, there are several eye diseases and conditions that can cause your eye to hurt, especially when you wake up. We will discuss some of them below, but remember, this is not an extensive list. Also, since several eye conditions can cause pain, the best thing you can do is to have an appointment with your doctor to diagnose the cause and prescribe an appropriate treatment.

Allergies

Allergies can cause your eyes to hurt. Common allergic reactions like pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold can lead to symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling, and a burning sensation in the eyes. These reactions cause discomfort and irritation, making your eyes feel sore.

To treat eye allergies, use antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy medications to reduce symptoms. Also, avoid allergens by keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, and regularly cleaning your living space to minimize dust and pet dander.

Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an infection or inflammation of the eye's transparent membrane (conjunctiva), causing redness, itching, and discharge. It also causes crusts to form on your eyelashes when you wake up. Viruses, bacteria, or allergies are common causes of the pink eye. To treat it, use warm compresses, keep the eyes clean, and avoid touching or rubbing them. If it's bacterial, antibiotic eye drops may be needed; otherwise, it will heal on its own. Note that conjunctivitis is very contagious.

Angle Closure Glaucoma

This is another eye condition that can cause your eyes to hurt when you wake up. Angle-closure glaucoma is a serious eye condition where the drainage path in the eye becomes blocked. This causes a sudden rise in eye pressure, as the fluid in the eye isn't drained. It can lead to severe eye pain, nausea, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. It's an emergency that requires immediate medical treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Medications and sometimes surgery are needed to relieve the pressure and protect vision.

Blepharitis 

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, causing them to become red, swollen, and itchy. It's often because of bacteria or skin conditions like dandruff. Symptoms include crusty flakes at the base of the eyelashes, burning eyes, and a gritty feeling. Treatment involves regular cleaning of the eyelids with warm water and mild soap and sometimes using prescribed medications to reduce inflammation.

Recurrent Epithelial Erosion

Recurrent epithelial erosion is a condition where the outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, repeatedly lifts off from the underlying tissue. This can happen because of a previous eye injury, certain medical conditions, or genetic factors. Symptoms include sudden sharp pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision, especially upon waking or rubbing the eyes. Treatment involves lubricating eye drops, ointments, and sometimes procedures to help the epithelium heal and adhere properly.

What are the Treatments For Eye Pain When Waking Up?

Here are some common treatments for your eyes when they hurt. They can serve as an effective way to manage the symptoms until you can seek proper medical attention.

• Antihistamines: Antihistamines are medications that help relieve allergy symptoms by blocking histamines, which are chemicals released during allergic reactions. For eye pain caused by allergies, antihistamine eye drops can be used to alleviate itching, redness, and swelling in the eyes, providing relief from discomfort.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics are relevant for eye pain when the pain is caused by bacterial infections like conjunctivitis or a corneal ulcer. Using antibiotic eye drops or ointments helps clear the infection, reducing pain, redness, and swelling.
• Artificial Tears: Artificial tears are eye drops that help moisten dry eyes, providing relief from irritation and discomfort. They are useful for eye pain caused by dryness or strain, as they lubricate the eyes, reduce burning and stinging, and help maintain eye health. Regular use can prevent further discomfort and protect the eye's surface.
• Warm Compress: Warm compresses help relieve eye pain by improving blood flow and relaxing muscles around the eyes. They can reduce swelling, soothe irritation, and loosen any crusts on the eyelids, especially for conditions like blepharitis or styes. Using a warm compress regularly can provide comfort and promote healing.

Things to Do to Prevent Your Eye Hurting When Waking Up

To prevent your eyes from hurting when waking up:

• Use a humidifier: Keep the air moist in your bedroom to prevent dry eyes.
• Practice good eye hygiene: Clean your eyelids before bed, especially if you have conditions like blepharitis.
• Avoid sleeping with contact lenses: Always remove your contact lenses before going to sleep to avoid irritation and infection.
• Use lubricating eye drops: Apply lubricating eye drops before bed if you have dry eyes.
• Keep your sleeping area clean: Regularly clean your bedding and pillows to reduce allergens that can irritate your eyes.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help maintain overall eye moisture.
• Adjust your sleeping position: Try sleeping on your back or use a different pillow to avoid pressure on your eyes.

Conclusion

Waking up with sore eyes can be caused by dryness, poor sleep habits, or medical conditions. By maintaining a humid sleep environment, practicing good eye hygiene, staying hydrated, and addressing any underlying health issues, you can reduce or eliminate morning eye pain. Taking these steps will help ensure your eyes feel comfortable and refreshed each morning, improving your overall eye health and daily comfort.