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What Could Cause Brief, Sharp Pain In The Right Eye While In Bed At Night?
Question: My symptom is a brief, sharp pain in my right eye. I have experienced this a few times previously
in recent months, I believe also in the right eye. This happens at night while I'm in bed. The pain is sharp enough so that I sit up in bed. I do not think I am asleep when this happens, but I'm not sure. Afterwards I don't have any other symptoms or visible signs. I have a family history of Glaucoma - I have been to the ophthalmologist within the last year and got a good report (no sign of Glaucoma).
in recent months, I believe also in the right eye. This happens at night while I'm in bed. The pain is sharp enough so that I sit up in bed. I do not think I am asleep when this happens, but I'm not sure. Afterwards I don't have any other symptoms or visible signs. I have a family history of Glaucoma - I have been to the ophthalmologist within the last year and got a good report (no sign of Glaucoma).
Brief Answer:
Different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Brief sharp pain in any area of the body is sometimes neurological in origin. This means that it can be related to the nerves in the area especially since there is no obvious structure change causing the pain.
Neurological pain is called neuralgia. It can be temporary or permanent. In some cases, the cause is not found.
Some of the other causes of neuralgia include:
(1) Trauma to the nerves. The nerves in that area would be the optic nerve or the opthalmic nerve (part of another nerve).
Your eye exam may have taken a look at the optic nerve.
(2) Low levels of vitamin-B12 and folate
(3) Diabetes
(4) Liver or kidney disease
(5) Side effect of medication
(6) Thyroid disease
(7) Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or RA
(8) Neurological conditions such as stroke or MS
(9) Abnormal levels of vitamin-B6
(10) Infection
If it continues, then you should be re-assessed by your doctor. Your ophthalmologist or GP can assess you. They may consider blood tests to check for some of the above.
In some people, nerve related pain is temporary and resolves on its own and this may be the case for you. If it continues or worsens however, it would be best to be seen.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
General & Family Physician
Different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Brief sharp pain in any area of the body is sometimes neurological in origin. This means that it can be related to the nerves in the area especially since there is no obvious structure change causing the pain.
Neurological pain is called neuralgia. It can be temporary or permanent. In some cases, the cause is not found.
Some of the other causes of neuralgia include:
(1) Trauma to the nerves. The nerves in that area would be the optic nerve or the opthalmic nerve (part of another nerve).
Your eye exam may have taken a look at the optic nerve.
(2) Low levels of vitamin-B12 and folate
(3) Diabetes
(4) Liver or kidney disease
(5) Side effect of medication
(6) Thyroid disease
(7) Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or RA
(8) Neurological conditions such as stroke or MS
(9) Abnormal levels of vitamin-B6
(10) Infection
If it continues, then you should be re-assessed by your doctor. Your ophthalmologist or GP can assess you. They may consider blood tests to check for some of the above.
In some people, nerve related pain is temporary and resolves on its own and this may be the case for you. If it continues or worsens however, it would be best to be seen.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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