When Should You See An Ophthalmologist For Eye Pain?

When you’re in pain, it’s hard to focus on anything else. Even mild pain is uncomfortable and upsetting, and more severe pain is debilitating.

But, when it comes to your eyes, what do you do if you have painful symptoms? Ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat eye and vision problems, including pain.

However, you may wonder if the pain will go away on its own or if you should seek medical care. Keep reading to learn more about when you should see an ophthalmologist for eye pain.

What Causes Eye Pain?

You might notice eye pain on the eye’s surface or deeper within the eye’s structure. Usually, surface eye pain is accompanied by symptoms like itching and burning.

The pain felt deeper in your eye may feel like throbbing or aching. Eye pain has many potential causes.

In some cases, the underlying cause may be apparent, while in others, it may require a diagnosis from an eye doctor. Some of the most common causes of eye pain include:

• Eye infection
• Something in your eye
• Eye surgery complications
• Dry eye syndrome
• Allergies
• Blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation
• Pink eye
• Styes
• Eye injury

Depending on the cause of your eye pain, your ophthalmologist at Mid Ohio Eye will recommend a course of treatment to relieve it. For milder conditions like dry eye syndrome, your eye doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or over-the-counter artificial tears for treatment.

Your eye doctor may prescribe you antibiotics or discuss other treatment options for more severe conditions.

When Should I See An Ophthalmologist?

If your eye pain persists, booking an appointment with an eye doctor is essential. 

Generally, you should see an ophthalmologist for eye pain when:

• You wear contacts and have eye pain
• The pain doesn’t go away after a day or two
• You are having issues after an eye surgery or an injection

Your ophthalmologist at Mid Ohio Eye will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine the cause of your eye pain and develop a treatment plan to help.

When Should I Call 911?

Sometimes, eye pain is a symptom of an eye condition or other health problem that requires immediate medical care. In these situations, it’s crucial to call 911 or go to an emergency room, as you won’t want to wait even a couple of days for an appointment.

You should call seek care immediately for eye pain if:

• Your vision changes suddenly
• You get a serious eye injury
• The pain is severe and also includes a headache or fever
• You have swelling in or around your eyes
• Blood or pus is coming out from the eye
• You can’t move your eye or keep it open
• There is something stuck in your eye

An emergency room doctor can assess your eyes and determine the best course of treatment. Depending on your condition, they may recommend setting up an appointment with an ophthalmologist for further diagnosis and treatment. 

Living with eye pain is never enjoyable. It’s always better to be careful if you notice discomfort or changes to your eyes or vision and contact your ophthalmologist with any concerns.

Are you experiencing eye pain? Schedule an appointment at Mid Ohio Eye in Colombus, OH, today!