I am 26 years old and just finished law school--last few weeks were very intense reading and looking at powerpoint slides on drop-down screen in classroom as well as on computer. Recently I've developed pain in my right eye when I look to the left--e.g., when two people are sitting in front of me, it brings discomfort to look to the person to my left; I have to turn my head in that direction to speak to them without pain. I also have pain in the right eye muscles when I close my eyes and try to "relax" the muscles. I just had complete exam from an opthamologist four days ago and there was nothing abnormal, but she said my contact lens prescription was "over-minused." But I haven't worn my contacts in five days and there is no improvement. Recently I started a bar exam prep course and there are video lectures--again on big drop down screens--and I feel discomfort when I have to focus on the speaker. Other than that, I'm okay. No real pain reading or doing normal activities as long as I don't begin to look to far too the left without moving my head.
I'm wondering what else to do for this to improve. Could I have pulled an eye muscle? Should I wear a patch over the right eye? I am not wearing my contacts right now, so it seems that can no longer be the problem. (For what it's worth, my right eye is dominant--my right eye contacts prescription is -3.75 and my left is -4.25.)
I really need to get a hold on this--can't have distractions with the bar exam coming up! Just FYI: I started wearing new retainers about the time the pain started. Could that have jarred the entire area?