# Infrequent stabbing pain — very brief — in eye. Anyone else? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 12, 2019, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538 "2019-08-12T04:38:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/1 "2019-08-12T04:38:12Z")
Does this happen to any of you, or to someone you know? A few times a year, maybe roughly every 3 to 5 months, I get a sudden, very brief, stab of sharp pain in my eye. It’s like a flash of lightning (the pain is; my vision does not change). It quickly comes, and quickly goes away. The pain comes sharply, like a quick stab at a single point, and the pain quickly dissipates over the course of about 2 seconds and then it’s completely gone, no lasting effects, as if it never happened at all. But it did, it certainly did. It happened tonight at dinner, in my right eye. I think it has happened in both eyes (but only one at at time), but I’m not sure. IIRC this has been happening for about 2-3 years, but it’s quite infrequent. It’s bizarre. Anyone know what this might be? And yes I know we’re not all doctors and I’m not looking for any official med advice. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/2 "2019-08-12T04:51:58Z")
Put the pen down before taking a drink??? Other than that I got nuttin’ ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/3 "2019-08-12T05:22:03Z")
Yeah yeah, or take the long spoon out of my ice tea glass before I take a drink. I’ll try that too. But seriously folks, it’s kinda bizarre. And I’m glad the sharp pain is very brief, because it is severe! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/4 "2019-08-12T05:56:49Z")
I don’t know nuthin’ bout no doctorin’, but I get sharp pains in my eyes when they are strained by too much reading or computer use. It’s usually my left eye. If I rest them I’m soon recovered. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/5 "2019-08-12T06:03:50Z")
My wife. For looking. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/6 "2019-08-12T07:07:00Z")
They sound like ice pick headaches. [Here’s an overview](https://blog.udemy.com/ice-pick-headaches/). It reviews what they are, causes, treatments, and so on. It would be a good idea to mention them to your doctor, as some of the underlying causes may be serious. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/7 "2019-08-12T08:44:42Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t know nuthin’ bout no doctorin’, but I get sharp pains in my eyes when they are strained by too much reading or computer use. It’s usually my left eye. If I rest them I’m soon recovered. Definitely could be a factor. Yes the pain is bad, bad, bad, **Beckdawrek**. 🙂 > [@Gatopescado](#): > > My wife. For looking. Clearly your technique is off. She shouldn’t know that you’re even looking. I perfected my technique at college (University of California at Santa Barbara) where there’s lots of eye candy. Many are (were) Scarlet Johansson look-alikes, UCSB = UC Sexy Blondes and all that, and back in the 1980s many were exploring their sexuality and freedom, and I was happy to assist. 🙂 You got to work it, **Gatopescado** , work it! > [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > They sound like ice pick headaches. [Here’s an overview](https://blog.udemy.com/ice-pick-headaches/). It reviews what they are, causes, treatments, and so on. It would be a good idea to mention them to your doctor, as some of the underlying causes may be serious. Thanks but not quite — the pain is _ **directly on** _ the eyeball, not _ **around** _ the eyeball or temple. However yes I’ll mention this to my docs, to both my PCP and my eye doc. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/8 "2019-08-12T10:54:03Z")
This is why you have an eye doctor. These are your eyes. If it’s a sharp pain, why would you delay? Make an appointment today. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/9 "2019-08-12T14:34:07Z")
Good point, **elbows**. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/10 "2019-08-12T14:58:19Z")
I’m Diabetic, Type 2, and I get yearly ophthalmologic, comprehensive eye exams. Eyes are truly delicate organs, and we depend on them for damn near everything. My yearly exam is excruciatingly detailed. I tell people the doctor shines a searchlight in my eyes, then takes off his shoes and socks and crawls inside and walks all over the place. It’s not fun. Afterwards, I’m given directions as to what to watch for: flashing lights, loss of vision, and/or pain. Any of those symptoms, it’s like getting a Monopoly card. Go to the doctor, go directly to the doctor, do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Start with your Primary Care doc. If you are then referred to an ophthalmologist (not an optometrist), make the appointment soonest, then GO. Most likely, it’s no biggie. But eyes are too precious to risk. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/11 "2019-08-12T15:11:51Z")
^^VOW- I hear you. Hate the diabetic ophthalmologist. I do it because I must, but I don’t have to like it. Next to feet I think eyes are the things that they worry about most, at my clinic. After they are aghast at my feet, the next question is “Have you had any vision changes?” OP see your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/12 "2019-08-12T17:05:14Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Thanks but not quite — the pain is _ **directly on** _ the eyeball, not _ **around** _ the eyeball or temple. However yes I’ll mention this to my docs, to both my PCP and my eye doc. I get them where it feels like something has been driven right through my eye. The location varies for everyone, is what I’m saying. I hope you get this figured out. Weird head pains are the worst. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/13 "2019-08-12T17:17:57Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > This is why you have an eye doctor. > These are your eyes. > If it’s a sharp pain, why would you delay? > Make an appointment today. A co-worker of mine learned that her “eye strain” was in fact retinal neovascularization and could have cost her her vision in that eye had it gone unchecked. Go. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/14 "2019-08-13T04:40:38Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > You got to work it, **Gatopescado** , work it! There are two words in this sentence that don’t play well together. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/15 "2019-08-13T05:23:43Z")
Say, It? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/16 "2019-08-13T07:20:32Z")
I totally understand why’d you come here to ask - we all get weird aches and pains, and sometimes you need some validation from others. But of course, you know what the answer is. Anything to do with the eyes could be serious (either for the eyes, or the brain behind them). Doctor is your first port of call. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/17 "2019-08-13T14:06:06Z")
Could just be dry eye. We sit for long periods staring at a computer screen without blinking at our normal rate. It’s a good idea to use artificial tears from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/18 "2019-08-13T15:05:04Z")
It sounds very much like dry eye that has gone untreated for too long. Do your eyes occasionally feel tired, like from eye strain? Or gritty like there is something in your eye? Let that go on for too long, and whammo! suddenly brief, intense stabbing pain. This often happens as you get older, and your tears do less to lubricate your eyes than in your youth. Sometimes can be made worse by seasonal allergies, or by sleeping with a fan on or similar. Get thee to an eye doctor. Prolonged untreated dry eyes can do lasting damage. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/19 "2019-08-14T17:11:59Z")
My stabbing pain is very consistent. Every time I am stabbed, I feel pain. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538/20 "2021-01-30T12:17:09Z")
Update: It just happened to me again, about an hour ago. I’m starting to log when they happen. I don’t recall if it’s happened since I started this thread in Aug 2019, but this is my first log entry: _2021-01-30T0300U location — R eye, on its front lower inner quadrant, at approx 8 o’clock (if 12 o’clock is at the top and 9 o’clock is towards my nose); situation — I had been asleep, it happened while waking up to go to the bathroom but my eyes were still closed and I hadn’t gotten up yet, I hadn’t opened my eyes yet; I had been dreaming and was slowly waking._ (2021-01-30T0300U means 3am Pacific on 1/30/2021) I see an eye specialist yearly (because I’d torn my retina in Feb 2016), but hadn’t mentioned this to him. Not yet. I’d forgotten to! Because it’s incidence is so infrequent. My next appointment is in a couple of weeks and I certainly will mention this. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrequent-stabbing-pain-very-brief-in-eye-anyone-else/838538.md?page=2)