The symptom checker reviewed by doctors

Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed
symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.

  • Symptom
  • Assessment
  • Results

Is your eye tearing?

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Do you have blurred vision?

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Have you recently injured your eye, and are you experiencing any of the following symptoms: sudden appearance of spots and strings floating in your field of vision; flashes of light in 1 or both eyes; partial loss of vision (like a shade being pulled down over part of your vision)?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a serious and urgent problem, such as a DETACHED RETINA.

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Is your eye red, and do you have severe eye pain, or has your vision suddenly decreased or become cloudy?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your symptoms may be from ACUTE GLAUCOMA, a condition caused by a rise in eye pressure that can cause permanent vision damage or blindness.

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Are you experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and pain in one or both temples?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your symptoms may be a sign of a serious inflammatory condition called TEMPORAL ARTERITIS.

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Do you have thick nasal drainage and pain or pressure on your forehead and behind your eyes?

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Possible Diagnosis

SINUSITIS (a viral or bacterial  infection of the sinuses) may be the cause of your pain.

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Are your eyes red or sensitive to light, are you experiencing eye pain, and do you see dark, floating spots?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have an inflammation inside the eye called IRITIS.

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Do you have diabetes, and have you noticed any changes in your vision?

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Possible Diagnosis

Over time, too much glucose (sugar) in the blood can cause eye problems and damage.

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Are your eyes red, itchy, or swollen, or is there a bite-like swelling on one of your eyelids?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your symptoms may be from an ALLERGY or an INSECT BITE.

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Do you have a fever, and is your eyelid swollen, red, and/or tender to the touch?

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Possible Diagnosis

These may be signs of a serious eye infection called PERIORBITAL CELLULITIS.

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Is there a firm, painful lump in the eyelid or a tender ‘pimple’ on the edge of the eyelid?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have either a CHALAZION (in the eyelid), HORDEOLUM, or STYE (on the eyelid edge).

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Is your eye red, is your vision blurry, and do you feel like you have sand in your eye (foreign body sensation)?

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Possible Diagnosis

This sensation may be from a SCRATCHED CORNEA or from a small particle (foreign body) under the eyelid.

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Is the white of the eye pink, red, or irritated, and is there any secretion or mucus coming from the eye? Did you wake up with your eyelids sealed shut?

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Possible Diagnosis

CONJUNCTIVITIS (also called PINK EYE) can be caused by an allergy, virus, bacteria, or fungus. If it is one-sided, it is more likely to be bacterial.

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Do you have a burning sensation in the eye, is the eye red and itchy, and is the skin around the eye scaling?

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Possible Diagnosis

This chronic irritation is called BLEPHARITIS, and it is a similar process to dandruff/flaking of the scalp.

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Do you wear contact lenses, and do you have eye pain?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have an irritation from contact lens overuse or a more serious eye condition, such as an INFECTION, CORNEAL ABRASION, or a scratch caused by your contact lens.

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Self Care

Call your eye doctor right away. Go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.

Self Care

If you have these symptoms, call your doctor right away or go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.

Self Care

See your doctor right away.

Self Care

Take a cold or sinus medicine, and drink plenty of fluids. Warm facial compresses may also help relieve the pain. If your symptoms don’t improve within 10 days, or if you have constant fever or severe pain, or your symptoms improve and then worsen again, see your doctor as soon as possible. Do not give children 5 years and under cough or cold medicines.

Self Care

See your doctor or an eye specialist right away.

Self Care

Tell your doctor about the vision changes you have experienced. He or she can give you advice on preventing eye problems. You should also make sure that you are getting a dilated eye exam at least once per year.

Self Care

Use a cool compress and take an antihistamine to relieve discomfort. See your doctor if the swelling doesn’t get better or if you have a fever.

Self Care

See your doctor right away.

Self Care

A stye usually heals in 5-7 days. To relieve the pain, apply a warm compress to the area for 10-15 minutes, 4 times a day, and take mild pain relievers. Microwaving a potato and wrapping it in a cloth will provide a longer term warm compress. If the bump grows or doesn’t go away, see your doctor. If the redness spreads or swells quickly, or if you develop fever, seek medical attention promptly.

Self Care

Rinse your eye with clean water or saline solution. You can also flush your eye under the faucet. If the sensation doesn’t go away, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Self Care

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS is very contagious, so avoid contact with the eye and wash your hands often. Try over-the-counter eyedrops and apply a warm compress to relieve any discomfort. Remove your contacts and do not wear them until the inflammation has cleared.

If there’s no improvement with a warm compress and gently cleaning the secretions in 1-2 days, you may have a more serious form of VIRAL or BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS. See your doctor promptly.

Self Care

Apply a warm compress and wash your eye gently with an eyewash and washcloth. You can also apply an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo (very small amount) just before you shower/bathe and then wash it off after 5-10 minutes. If the problem doesn’t resolve, see your doctor.

Self Care

Remove your contact lenses and let your eyes rest for a while. If the redness or irritation doesn’t go away, see your eye care professional.

For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

DISCLAIMER

Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.