Eye pain: when to act now.
Eye pain ranges from mild irritation to a sight-threatening emergency. Knowing the difference and acting fast when it matters can protect your vision permanently.
Urgency guide
Emergency: Go now
Sudden severe pain, vision loss, chemical splash, or pain + nausea + halos.
Within 24 hours
Worsening red eye, pain after surgery, or discharge with pain.
Routine appointment
Mild aching after screen use or occasional stinging: book and monitor.
Signs that need immediate attention
Some eye pain signals cannot wait. Contact us or go to an emergency eye clinic without delay if you experience any of the following.
Sudden severe pain, vision loss, chemical injury, or halos with nausea: do not wait for a routine appointment.
Sudden loss of vision with pain
Could indicate acute glaucoma, retinal artery occlusion, or optic nerve crisis. Call immediately.
Halos around lights with headache and nausea
Classic triad of acute angle-closure glaucoma. Pressure inside the eye is dangerously elevated.
Pain that worsens when moving the eye
Suggests optic neuritis, orbital inflammation, or infection behind the eye. Needs same-day assessment.
Chemical or foreign object in the eye
Flush immediately with clean running water for 15 to 20 minutes then come in. Do not rub or delay.
Severe pain after eye surgery
Unusual pain, vision changes, or discharge after any eye procedure warrants immediate contact with your surgeon.
Swollen, bulging, or hot eye
Orbital cellulitis (infection around the eye) is a serious condition requiring urgent antibiotics and prompt assessment.
What's causing your eye to hurt?
Eye pain has many causes, from minor irritation to conditions requiring urgent treatment. Understanding the type and severity of your pain helps identify the right response.
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Sudden, severe eye pain with headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights. Intraocular pressure spikes rapidly, a true emergency needing treatment within hours.
Corneal Ulcer
A painful, infected open sore on the cornea, usually from contact lens misuse, trauma, or herpes simplex. Causes intense pain, redness, discharge, and sensitivity to light.
Optic Neuritis
Inflammation of the optic nerve causing pain on eye movement and sudden loss of vision. May be associated with multiple sclerosis, requires immediate investigation.
Uveitis / Iritis
Inflammation inside the eye causing deep aching pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision. Often associated with autoimmune conditions. Needs prompt anti-inflammatory treatment.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Burning, stinging, or gritty pain from insufficient tear film. Worsened by screens, AC, and low humidity. Usually manageable with lubricating drops and lifestyle changes.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Infection or allergy causing redness, discharge, and a gritty or burning sensation. Bacterial cases need antibiotic drops; viral cases are self-limiting but very contagious.
Digital Eye Strain
Dull aching and fatigue after prolonged screen use. Reduced blinking dries the surface; sustained near focus tires the muscles. Relieved by rest, breaks, and lubricants.
Stye or Chalazion
A red, tender lump on the eyelid from a blocked gland or infection. Causes localised pain and swelling. Usually responds to warm compresses; some need surgical drainage.
Foreign Body or Scratch
Dust, grit, or a corneal abrasion causes sharp pain and intense watering. Never rub, rinse with clean water and see a doctor if pain persists after flushing.
What happens when you visit us
Eye pain always has a cause. Our step-by-step assessment finds it quickly and starts the right treatment.
History & triage
We assess onset, severity, and associated symptoms to prioritise urgency level immediately.
Slit-lamp exam
Microscopic examination of the cornea, iris, lens, and anterior chamber to identify the cause.
Pressure measurement
Intraocular pressure checked, elevated pressure is a key indicator of glaucomatous crisis.
Targeted treatment
Drops, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, laser, or urgent referral, the right response, fast.
Questions about eye pain
Common concerns answered by Dr Vasantha Gowri, based on real patient queries from across North Chennai.
Ask a questionMedical sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye health information.
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Eye conditions and diseases.
- All India Ophthalmological Society. aios.org.
Don't ignore eye pain
Your eyes deserve prompt, expert attention
Whether it's a mild ache or an urgent concern, our team is ready to help. Aadithya Eye Care in Perambur offers same-day appointments for urgent eye conditions, Mon to Sat, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.