Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Pain: the Ophthalmologist’s Perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to help ophthalmologists and other clinicians understand and treat ocular neuropathic pain. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in the field of neurophysiology of ocular sensations explain why some cases of dry eye may represent a pain syndrome rather than a problem related to tear status. Principles related to management of pain syndromes such as persistent post-operative pain and complex regional pain syndrome are relevant to the care of these patients. SUMMARY: Specific strategies for the ophthalmologist, including multimodal therapy comprised of local and systemic approaches, can be helpful in the care of patients with problematic ocular pain. Rather than dismiss these syndromes and these patients, ophthalmologists can serve these patients and the profession well by incorporating an understanding of ocular neuropathic pain into their practice and by collaboration in the care of patients with problematic ocular pain.