Eye tenderness is pain when touching or moving the eye or surrounding area. It can indicate local inflammation, infection, or trauma.
Common Causes
Eyelid styes, chalazia, and blepharitis produce localised lid tenderness. Scleritis and orbital cellulitis cause deeper, often severe tenderness, while trauma and surgery leave tissues temporarily sore.
- Tenderness directly over the globe with redness may suggest scleritis or keratitis
- Pain when pressing near the sinus areas can indicate sinus infection
- Contact lens complications can make the eye sore to touch or move
- Post‑operative tenderness usually settles as healing progresses
Clinical Importance
Because serious infections and inflammatory diseases can present with tenderness, persistent or severe symptoms need assessment. Early treatment protects both vision and general health.
- Orbital cellulitis with tenderness, fever, and swelling is an emergency
- Scleritis is often associated with systemic autoimmune disease
- Warm compresses may relieve benign lid tenderness from styes
- Avoid pressing on an injured or extremely painful eye
