Eye pain is never something you should ignore. While some causes are relatively minor, such as dry eyes or a small irritation, others can threaten your vision and require immediate medical attention.

The challenge is that many eye conditions can cause pain, and it's often impossible to determine the cause from symptoms alone. An eye examination is needed to identify the underlying problem and determine the appropriate treatment.

At Radiant Optometry in Bellflower, we commonly evaluate patients with painful eyes. Sometimes the cause is easily treated, while other cases require urgent referral for emergency care to protect vision.

Key Takeaways

• Eye pain can range from mild irritation to severe, vision-threatening conditions.

• Pain accompanied by vision changes, significant redness, light sensitivity, or injury should be evaluated promptly.

• Never ignore severe eye pain or sudden vision loss.

• Early evaluation often leads to better outcomes and helps prevent complications.

Common Causes of Eye Pain

Eye pain may originate from the eye itself, the eyelids, surrounding tissues, or even nearby nerves and sinuses.

Possible causes include:

• Dry eye disease

• A foreign body, such as dust or debris

• Corneal abrasion (scratch on the front of the eye)

• Contact lens-related irritation

• Eye infections

• Corneal ulcers

• Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids)

• Styes

• Allergic conjunctivitis

• Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)

• Acute angle-closure glaucoma

• Chemical exposure

• Eye trauma

Some causes are uncomfortable but not dangerous, while others require immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

Dry Eyes Can Cause Discomfort—But Usually Not Severe Pain

Dry eye disease is one of the most common causes of eye discomfort.

• Symptoms may include:

• Burning

• Stinging

• Scratchiness

• Fluctuating blurry vision

• A gritty sensation

• Excessive tearing

Although dry eyes can be quite uncomfortable, severe pain is less common and should prompt an examination to rule out other conditions.

Corneal Scratches and Foreign Bodies

The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye. Even a small scratch or a tiny particle trapped under the eyelid can be surprisingly painful.

• Symptoms may include:

• Sharp pain

• Tearing

• Light sensitivity

• Blurry vision

• Feeling like something is stuck in the eye

Prompt evaluation is important because untreated corneal injuries can sometimes become infected.

Contact Lens Problems

Contact lens wearers have a higher risk of developing serious corneal infections.

If you wear contact lenses and develop:

• Significant eye pain

• Redness

• Light sensitivity

• Discharge

• Reduced vision

Remove your contact lenses immediately and seek prompt professional evaluation.

Do not continue wearing your lenses until you've been advised that it's safe to do so.

Eye Infections

Several infections can cause eye pain.

Examples include:

• Corneal infections

• Viral eye infections

• Bacterial infections

• Symptoms vary but may include:

• Redness

• Pain

• Blurry vision

• Sensitivity to light

• Discharge

Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis, making an examination essential.

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Although uncommon, acute angle-closure glaucoma is one of the most serious causes of sudden eye pain.

Symptoms often include:

• Severe eye pain

• Sudden blurry vision

• Halos around lights

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Red eye

This is an eye emergency.

Without prompt treatment, permanent vision loss can occur.

Seek emergency medical care immediately.

Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye.

• Symptoms may include:

• Eye pain

• Light sensitivity

• Blurry vision

• Redness

• Floaters

Because untreated inflammation can damage vision, prompt evaluation is recommended.

Chemical Injuries

Household cleaners, workplace chemicals, and other substances can severely damage the eye.

If a chemical enters your eye:

• Immediately flush the eye with clean water for at least 15–20 minutes.

• Remove contact lenses if they come out easily while rinsing.

• Seek immediate emergency medical care after irrigation, even if the eye feels better.

Do not wait to see if the pain improves.

Eye Trauma

A blow to the eye or a penetrating injury can damage structures inside the eye even when the outside appears relatively normal.

Seek immediate emergency care if you experience:

• Significant eye injury

• Bleeding from the eye

• Sudden vision loss

• A cut or puncture to the eye

• Persistent severe pain after trauma

Avoid applying pressure to the injured eye.

When Is Eye Pain an Emergency?

Seek immediate same-day emergency eye care if you experience:

• Sudden vision loss

• Severe eye pain

• A curtain or shadow over your vision

• New flashes with many new floaters

• Significant eye injury

• Chemical exposure

• Severe redness with pain and light sensitivity

• A red, painful eye with nausea or vomiting

Call 911 immediately if eye pain occurs with:

• Facial drooping

• Weakness or numbness

• Difficulty speaking

• Confusion

• Sudden severe headache

• Sudden double vision with neurological symptoms

These may indicate a stroke or another life-threatening medical emergency.

How an Optometrist Evaluates Eye Pain

• Your eye examination may include:

• Review of your symptoms and medical history

• Visual acuity testing

• Slit lamp examination

• Fluorescein dye to look for corneal injuries

• Eye pressure measurement when appropriate

• Dilated examination if indicated

• Retinal evaluation

Additional testing or referral may be recommended depending on the findings.

What You Can Safely Do Before Your Appointment

If you develop eye pain:

• Stop wearing contact lenses until you've been evaluated.

• Avoid rubbing your eye.

• Do not attempt to remove embedded objects.

• Avoid using leftover prescription eye drops unless specifically instructed by your eye care professional.

• If a chemical exposure occurs, irrigate the eye immediately and seek emergency care.

• Arrange transportation if your vision is affected.

Because many eye conditions have similar symptoms, self-diagnosis can delay appropriate treatment.

Radiant Optometry Clinical Perspective

At Radiant Optometry, we commonly evaluate patients experiencing eye pain to determine whether the cause is routine, urgent, or vision-threatening. Our examination focuses on identifying the underlying cause so that appropriate treatment or referral can be provided as quickly as possible.

Prompt evaluation is especially important when pain is accompanied by vision changes, significant redness, or light sensitivity.

Conclusion

Eye pain should never be ignored. While many cases result from treatable conditions, others require immediate attention to prevent permanent vision loss.

If you're experiencing persistent, worsening, or sudden eye pain, schedule a prompt eye examination. If your symptoms include sudden vision loss, severe pain, chemical exposure, significant trauma, or neurological symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

For patients in Bellflower and surrounding communities, Radiant Optometry provides comprehensive eye examinations and urgent eye evaluations when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eye pain always an emergency?

No. Mild discomfort from dry eyes or minor irritation may not be an emergency, but severe, persistent, or sudden eye pain should always be evaluated promptly.

Can dry eyes cause eye pain?

Yes. Dry eyes commonly cause burning, stinging, and irritation. Severe pain is less typical and may indicate another condition.

Should I go to the emergency room for eye pain?

Seek emergency care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, chemical injuries, penetrating trauma, or a red, painful eye with nausea or vomiting. Call 911 if eye pain occurs with signs of a possible stroke.

Why does my eye hurt when I blink?

Pain with blinking may be caused by a foreign body, corneal scratch, stye, eyelid inflammation, or other conditions. An eye examination can determine the cause.

Can a sinus infection cause eye pain?

Yes. Sinus inflammation can sometimes cause pain or pressure around the eyes. However, pain accompanied by vision changes, swelling around the eye, or severe redness requires prompt medical evaluation.

Medical Review Note

This article is for general education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

Sources

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye Health: Eye Pain.

2. American Optometric Association. Eye Emergencies.

3. National Eye Institute. Corneal Diseases.

4. National Eye Institute. Glaucoma.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care.

6. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Eye Pain.