Eye pain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a foreign object in your eye.
P This article discusses eye pain that is not caused by injury or surgery.

T Considerations
P Pain in the eye can be an important symptom of a health problem. Make sure you tell your health care provider if you have eye pain that does not go away.
P Tired eyes or some eye discomfort (eyestrain) is most often a minor problem and it will often go away with rest. These problems may be caused by the wrong eyeglass or contact lens prescription. Sometimes they are due to a problem with the eye muscles.

T Causes
P Many things can cause pain in or around the eye. If the pain is severe, does not go away, or causes vision loss, seek medical attention immediately.
P Some things that can cause eye pain are:
- Infections
- Inflammation
- Contact lens problems
- Dry eye
- Acute glaucoma
- Sinus problems
- Neuropathy
- Eyestrain
- Headache
- Flu

T Home Care
P Resting your eyes can often relieve discomfort due to eye strain.
P If you wear contacts, try using glasses for a few days to see if the pain goes away.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Contact your provider if:
- The pain is severe (call immediately), or it continues for more than 2 days
- You have decreased vision along with the eye pain
- You have chronic diseases like arthritis or autoimmune problems
- You have pain, redness, swelling, discharge, or pressure in the eyes

T What to Expect at Your Office Visit
P Your provider will check your vision, eye movements, and the back of your eye. If there is a major concern, you should see an ophthalmologist. This is a doctor who specializes in eye problems.
P To help find the source of the problem, your provider may ask:
- Do you have pain in both eyes?
- Is the pain in the eye or around the eye?
- Does it feel like something is in your eye now?
- Does your eye burn or throb?
- Did the pain begin suddenly?
- Is the pain worse when you move your eyes?
- Are you light sensitive?
- What other symptoms do you have?
P The following eye tests may be done:
- Slit-lamp examination
- Fluorescein examination
- Eye pressure check if glaucoma is suspected
- Pupillary response to light
P If the pain seems to come from the surface of the eye, such as with a foreign body, the provider may put anesthetic drops in your eyes. If the pain goes away, that will often confirm the surface as the source of the pain.

T Alternative Names
P Ophthalmalgia; Pain - eye

T References
P Freidl KB, Troost BT, Moster ML. Migraine and other headaches. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 2;chap 16.
P Goodglick TA, Kay MD, Glaser JS, et al. Orbital disease and neuro-ophthalmology. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 2;chap 14.
P Wright JL, Wightman JM. Red and painful eye. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 22.
P Yanoff M, Cameron D. Diseases of the visual system In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 423.

T Review Date 11/4/2015
P Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

