I occasionally have sharp pains in the corners of my eyes -- it feels just like I'm being poked with a pin. This happens out of the blue. I could be at work (I'm a manicurist and do a lot of detail work) or just relaxing. What could be causing this?

D.

There are a variety of causes of eye pain, including dry eyes, blepharitis and a variety of corneal conditions. Both dry eyes and blepharitis are common, chronic conditions that may or may not cause symptoms.

First, it is important to understand that tears are not just made of water, but are a complex mixture of water, oil, mucus and proteins. Dry eyes can occur when any of these components are deficient. For example, a common cause of dry eyes is when the lacrimal gland does not produce sufficient aqueous (watery) tears to keep the eye lubricated. Another cause of dry eyes is when the oil glands of the eyelids do not contribute sufficiently to the tears. People with dry eyes often complain of sharp pains in their eyes or the feeling that a foreign object is in their eyes. Their vision may or may not be affected.

Blepharitis is a condition in which the oily component of tears is of poor quality. So, rather than being secreted into the tear film, the oil builds up on the eyelashes, forming deposits that resemble dandruff and resulting in dry eyes.

The treatment of eye pain begins with the proper diagnosis by an eye doctor. If dry eyes are diagnosed, your doctor may recommend artificial tears. Artificial tears are much thicker than water and can provide long-lasting lubrication of the eye's surface. If a person is diagnosed with blepharitis, the doctor will often recommend using a solution of baby shampoo and warm water to clean the eyelashes. This dissolves the oil that has built up on the lashes and improves the oil production that is needed for effective tears.