Eye problems, including eye pain or redness and changes in your vision may be signs of a problem that requires medical attention. Follow the chart below for more information about problems with your eyes.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Go to familydoctor.org Home
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Eye Problems
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Is your eye tearing?
Do you have blurred vision?
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)?
Is your eye red, and do you have severe eye pain, or has your vision suddenly decreased or become cloudy?
Are you experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and pain in one or both temples?
Do you have thick nasal drainage and pain or pressure on your forehead and behind your eyes?
Are your eyes red or sensitive to light, are you experiencing eye pain, and do you see dark, floating spots?
Do you have diabetes, and have you noticed any changes in your vision?
Are your eyes red, itchy, or swollen, or is there a bite-like swelling on one of your eyelids?
Do you have a fever, and is your eyelid swollen, red, and/or tender to the touch?
Is there a firm, painful lump in the eyelid or a tender ‘pimple’ on the edge of the eyelid?
Is your eye red, is your vision blurry, and do you feel like you have sand in your eye (foreign body sensation)?
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?
Do you have a burning sensation in the eye, is the eye red and itchy, and is the skin around the eye scaling?
Do you wear contact lenses, and do you have eye pain?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
You may have a serious and urgent problem, such as a DETACHED RETINA.
Self Care
Call your eye doctor right away. Go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
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.
Self Care
If you have these symptoms, call your doctor right away or go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
Diagnosis
Your symptoms may be a sign of a serious inflammatory condition called TEMPORAL ARTERITIS.
Self Care
See your doctor right away.
Diagnosis
SINUSITIS (a viral or bacterial infection of the sinuses) may be the cause of your pain.
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.
Diagnosis
You may have an inflammation inside the eye called IRITIS.
Self Care
See your doctor or an eye specialist right away.
Diagnosis
Over time, too much glucose (sugar) in the blood can cause eye problems and damage.
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.
Diagnosis
Your symptoms may be from an ALLERGY or an INSECT BITE.
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.
Diagnosis
These may be signs of a serious eye infection called PERIORBITAL CELLULITIS.
Self Care
See your doctor right away.
Diagnosis
You may have either a CHALAZION (in the eyelid), HORDEOLUM, or STYE (on the eyelid edge).
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.
Diagnosis
This sensation may be from a SCRATCHED CORNEA or from a small particle (foreign body) under the eyelid.
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.
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.
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.
Diagnosis
This chronic irritation is called BLEPHARITIS, and it is a similar process to dandruff/flaking of the scalp.
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.
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.
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.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
