I've been having this problem ever since i can remember (had it earlier today) and it seems to run in my family--out of nowhere, I'd get a sudden, intense, stinging, piercing, sharp pain in my eyeball as if someone were pushing a needle through it! It's so painful, the eye affected begins to tear excessively and I cannot open it. Today I had this pain in my right eye, but sometimes it's the left one, also. It almost always occurs right behind my upper eyelid, and it feels as if a sharp object flew into my eye, but I know nothing's there! I end up applying a cold, damp cloth to it for relief, that's the only thing that stops the pain. After a few minutes--it stops as suddenly as it begins! :confused:

It seems to run in my family, because for as long as she can remember, my mom has had this same problem, too. She can't figure it out, either. A while ago she woke up and the pain was so severe, she went to the Dr. and he said she had cut her sclera, but that doesn't seem to be what I have, i don't know...

I'd like to hear your advice, comments, etc. on this because I'm not sure what to do and I'm sick and tired of the pain!

Hi Satur9poet -

It is likely to be recurrent corneal erosions - a very very painful condition. There are several reasons why people get it, but basically part of the top layer of the cornea doesn't stick well, and even blinking, etc can cause this part to be eroded. This exposes nerve endings in the eye and is very painful. You'll think there's gotta be glass in your eye, but there isn't.

Usually it happens in the morning when you first open your eyes.

There is a subject board here called "recurrent corneal erosion." Take a look at it - there's a wealth of information there including tips for alleviating the pain and recurrence rate. A general internet search will also tell you if this matches what you have.

Next time the pain happens, go see an ophthalmologist within a day. They should accept a walk-in for this and should be able to see if there is a corneal problem.

Good luck, it's not fun to have this. I had it for several years.

ebmd.

Thanks for all the information--I'm qbout 90% sure RCE is my problem. At least I feel better knowing what it is instead of years of guessing, and it's comforting to know that many people are affected by this condition, also. Next time i see my eye Dr., I'll have the issue addressed.

Thanx all! :angel: