Ocular neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult eye conditions to treat. Patients often show no abnormalities in general eye examinations, but experience pain symptoms ranging from severe to extreme. This is often associated with significant psychological stress and even suicidal thoughts. There are some known and numerous suspected causes, but as with neuropathic pain syndromes in other parts of the body, it is unclear why certain individuals develop pain and others do not. Since ocular neuropathic pain can occur particularly after refractive surgery, a better understanding and identification of risk factors is highly relevant. The symposium aims to provide an overview of this rare and severe condition and to combine current findings from basic research with diagnostic and therapeutic options. To this end, two renowned experts from non-ophthalmological fields have been invited to talk about their experiences in the scientific and clinical fields. The topic of ocular neuropathic pain is also of overriding importance for ophthalmological practice, as treatment-refractory patients with dry eye syndrome are likely to have a neuropathic pain component that only exists in a weakened form. In this respect, therapeutic approaches from the ocular neuropathic pain complex can also be used translationally in the practical care of patients with dry eye syndrome.