Eye pain can range from mild irritation to severe discomfort, and while some causes are harmless, others may signal a serious condition that requires urgent care. Knowing when eye pain is an emergency can help protect your vision and prevent long-term complications. At Reeve Woods Eye Center, we want to ensure you’re informed about the warning signs that should never be ignored.

Common, Non-Emergency Causes of Eye Pain

 

Not all eye pain requires immediate medical attention. Some minor issues may cause temporary discomfort, such as:

•           Dry eye syndrome

•           Allergies

•           Mild eye strain from screen use

•           Small debris, like an eyelash, that clears with blinking or artificial tears

While these causes can still be bothersome, they typically improve with simple remedies and are not considered emergencies.

Signs That Eye Pain May Be an Emergency

 

There are times when eye pain indicates a serious underlying problem. Seek immediate care if you experience:

•            Sudden, Severe Pain: A sharp or intense pain that appears suddenly may signal a serious issue such as acute angle-closure glaucoma, corneal abrasion, or an eye infection.

•            Pain with Vision Changes: If eye pain is accompanied by blurred vision, halos around lights, flashes of light, or sudden loss of vision, it requires urgent evaluation.

•            Pain After an Injury: Any eye pain following trauma, such as being hit in the eye, chemical exposure, or a foreign object, should be treated as an emergency to prevent permanent damage.

•            Pain with Redness and Light Sensitivity: These symptoms could indicate conditions such as uveitis, keratitis, or a serious corneal infection. Left untreated, these can threaten your eyesight.

•            Pain with Nausea or Headache: Eye pain combined with nausea, vomiting, or a severe headache may point to acute glaucoma or other urgent conditions that need immediate attention.

Why Quick Action Is Crucial 

 

Delaying care when eye pain signals an emergency can lead to permanent vision loss, and in some cases, the damage can occur faster than you might expect. Prompt evaluation and treatment are essential to protecting your eyesight and preventing complications that may affect your daily life.

If you are uncertain whether your symptoms are serious, it is always safest to seek professional attention right away. Even if the problem turns out to be minor, an eye exam can provide peace of mind, detect other underlying issues, and help you avoid future problems.

Protect Your Vision with Expert Eye Care

 

While some eye pain may be caused by minor, temporary issues, certain symptoms should never be ignored. If you experience sudden, severe pain, vision changes, or eye pain after an injury, contact our eye doctor right away.

If you’re experiencing eye pain or other concerning symptoms, contact Reeve Woods Eye Center to schedule an eye exam today. Visit our office in Chico, California, or call (530) 317-EYES to book an appointment.