About this symptom
The intensity and sudden onset of pain, redness, watering, foreign-body sensation, reduced vision, headache or nausea all matter. Tell the clinician if you wear contact lenses or have been exposed to chemicals, injury or a foreign body. Similar symptoms can require very different treatments.
Clinical features
Severe pain with photophobia is not typical of simply needing glasses. Contact lens wearers have particular risks of corneal infection, while severe eye pain with headache or nausea may accompany acute high eye pressure. These possibilities make urgent evaluation important rather than waiting for a routine eye test.
Important differences and warning signs
An ophthalmologist measures vision, examines the ocular surface and cornea with a slit lamp, and selects safe additional examinations as appropriate. Pressure measurement and other tests depend on the history and the possibility of injury. An accurate treatment plan is not possible from symptoms alone.
Assessment and individual care
If painful eyes occur while using contact lenses, remove the lenses and do not wear them again until assessed. Do not use someone else’s antibiotic or steroid eye drops; steroids can worsen certain infections. After chemical exposure, begin immediate irrigation with clean water and seek emergency assessment.
Related information: Flashes and floaters.
Signs and symptoms
- Pain, redness, watering or a gritty sensation in the eye.
- Marked light sensitivity and possibly reduced visual acuity.
- Sometimes headache, nausea or pain after wearing contact lenses.
Diagnosis and tests
Assessment includes visual acuity and corneal inspection, often using a slit lamp. Further tests are chosen according to the suspected cause and safety.
Care and treatment approaches
Avoid self-prescribing antibiotic or steroid drops. Stop wearing contact lenses until a clinician has examined the painful eye.
When to seek urgent care
Severe eye pain, photophobia with worsening vision, trauma or chemical injury needs immediate ophthalmology care. In a severe emergency call 103 rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start antibiotic eye drops without an examination?
That is not recommended. The correct treatment depends on the cause, and steroid drops can be harmful in some conditions.
Why does eye pain in a contact lens wearer matter?
Contact lenses can be associated with serious corneal infection. Remove them and seek prompt ophthalmic evaluation.
Which symptoms require emergency eye care?
Severe pain with impaired vision, marked photophobia, injury, chemical exposure or severe headache with nausea requires urgent attention.
Information sources
Medical source links used when preparing this article.
Important information
A medical consultation is needed for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Self-treatment can be harmful to your health.
