Nociceptive and neuropathic pain: impact of the ocular surface

Ocular pain has many manifestations. In addition to discomfort, it may lead to reduced visual perception, visual performance, and the quality of life. In modern life and medical practice, numerous conditions can cause or provoke eye pain. It is important to correctly differentiate between nociceptive (short-term) and neuropathic (prolonged, organic) eye pain. In the case of nociceptive pain, the patient's condition can often be improved by identifying and eliminating the underlying cause. Neuropathic pain requires a comprehensive treatment strategy with long-term correction of the patient's psychosomatic status. This review discusses the morphological and physiological aspects of different types of eye pain, their causes, as well as methods of diagnosis and treatment.