Eye pain

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Eye pain

Alternative Names:

Ophthalmalgia; Pain - eye

Home Care:

If the problem is eye strain, rest should relieve the discomfort. If you think your eye pain is due to wearing contact lenses, avoid wearing the lenses for a few days and see if the pain goes away. If the pain is severe, call your doctor.

Call your health care provider if:

there is pain, redness, swelling, discharge, or pressure in the eye(s) that persists -- particularly if it affects vision
the pain is severe (call immediately) or if it continues for more than 2 days
the eye pain is not associated with a viral illness or eyestrain
the pain is associated with medical problems such as a history of herpes infections or a new rash
you have an immune-system deficiency
you have had recent surgery

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor will check your vision, eye movements, and the back of the eye with an ophthalmoscope. If there is major concern, you should see an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in eye problems).

To better understand the source of the pain, your doctor may ask:

Are both eyes involved?
Is the pain in the eye or around the eye?
Does it feel like something is in your eye?
Does your eye burn or throb?
Did the pain begin suddenly?
Is the pain worse when you move your eyes?
What other symptoms do you have?

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

A slit-lamp examination
If glaucoma is suspected, eye pressure will be checked.

Review Date: 11/14/2005
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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