Feeling under the weather with a runny nose or cough isn’t great. But when sickness causes eye pain, it can make everything feel worse. So, why do your eyes hurt when you’re sick?
There are several reasons for eye pain during an illness:
- Sinus pressure and congestion
- Fever
- Headaches
- Eye dryness
- Inflammation from viral infections
- Fatigue and eye strain
- Allergies
Eye pain can also indicate a more serious issue. For this reason, visit your eye doctor to determine the cause and seek appropriate treatment.
What Causes Your Eyes to Hurt During an Illness
Eye pain during illness can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. It can be a dull ache, a burning sensation, or even feel like pressure behind the eyes. In some cases, you can have eye pain with irritation, redness, and sensitivity to light.
Understanding why your eyes hurt when you’re sick can help you better manage this uncomfortable symptom and find relief. Here are a few common reasons why you might experience eye pain.
Sinus Pressure
Feeling congested? When your sinuses are inflamed or blocked, the pressure can build up around the areas near your eyes, leading to discomfort or even throbbing pain.
For sinus pressure and eye pain relief, try using a warm compress or steaming to help reduce sinus congestion. Over-the-counter decongestants may also help, but check with your doctor if you’re unsure.
Fever
With a fever, you may also experience body, muscular, and eye pain. That discomfort, such as increased temperature and muscle contractions is due to the body’s immune response to fight an infection or virus. Over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with intense pain.
Headaches
Migraines, tension, or cluster headaches caused by illness can also intensify eye pain. You can feel eye pain from headaches in one or both eyes, depending on the location of the headache. For relief from headaches or migraines, rest in a dimly lit room and stay hydrated, as dehydration often worsens headaches.
Eye Dryness
When you’re sick, especially with the flu or a feverish cold, your body may get dehydrated quicker than usual. This dehydration can reduce tear production, leading to dry, irritated eyes.
For dry eye relief, drink plenty of water and use artificial tears or eye drops to keep your eyes moist and lubricated. Using a humidifier in your bedroom while you’re resting can increase the moisture in the air.
Inflammation
Certain viral infections, like the flu, can cause inflammation in your body, including the eyes. This might result in redness, swelling, or general discomfort. For inflammation relief, try applying a cold compress for swollen eyes. If the redness or pain persists, consult your eye doctor to rule out more serious issues.
A respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu, can increase your risk of conjunctivitis (pink eye). Some types of conjunctivitis are highly contagious and can cause eye pain and a yellow or green eye discharge.
Fatigue & Eye Strain
Sickness can often leave you feeling drained, and tired eyes can be one of the most obvious signs. Staring at screens or reading for long periods when stuck in bed can worsen this, causing eye pain, strain, and vision discomfort.
For relief, give your eyes a break. Use the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Allergies
Allergies may be to blame for eye pain. If your eyes hurt and you’re sick, especially during certain times of the year or after exposure to allergens, such as pollen, it may be seasonal allergies.
When your body detects an allergen, it releases histamines, which can cause inflammation in various parts of the body and the eyes. This might result in itching, swelling, or redness. For relief, use over-the-counter antihistamines or consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor?
While eye pain during illness is often harmless and goes away as you recover, there are some concerning signs to watch out for. Contact your eye doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Eye pain that persists after your illness is gone
- Severe redness or swelling in one or both eyes
- Sudden changes in vision, like blurring or loss of sight
- Any strange discharge from your eyes
They can assess your symptoms and perform an eye exam to determine the underlying cause of eye pain and rule out serious eye problems.
Keep Your Eyes & Body Healthy
When you’re sick and your eyes hurt, it could be from sinus pressure, dehydration, or inflammation. Addressing the root cause of your discomfort is key to feeling better.
If you’re unsure about your symptoms or have vision concerns, book an appointment with Total Vision Pleasanton —we’re here to help support healthy eyes and strong vision.
