Eye pain

Alternative names:

ophthalmalgia; pain in the eye

Home care:

Resting the eyes, taking an over-the-counter analgesic, and avoiding bright light are generally recommended.

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.

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 or prolonged beyond 2 days.
• eye pain is not associated with a viral illness or eyestrain.

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

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. If there is major concern, see an ophthalmologist (who specializes in eye problems).

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

• distribution
  • Are both eyes affected?

• time pattern
  • Did it begin suddenly?

• aggravated by
  • Is it worse after eye movement?

• What other symptoms are also present?

Physical examination will include an examination of the eyes. The doctor will check vision, eye movements, and the back of the eye with an ophthalmoscope.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed are:
A slit-lamp examination
If glaucoma is suspected, eye pressure will be checked.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of your symptoms, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.