Topic Overview
Many people have minor eye problems, such as eyestrain, irritated eyes, or itchy, scaly eyelids (blepharitis). These problems may be ongoing (chronic) but usually are not serious. Home treatment can relieve the symptoms of many minor eye problems.
See an illustration of the eye.
Common eye problems
Common types of eye problems include:
- Drainage from the eyes.
- Eyestrain or vision changes.
- Misaligned eyes or strabismus.
- Blood in the white of the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage).
- Eyelid problems.
- Contact lens problems.
- Color blindness.
- Night blindness.
- Glaucoma.
- Cataracts.
- Retinal problems, such as diabetic retinopathy.
- Red eyes that may be caused by infection, inflammation, or tumors.
- Uveitis.
- Macular degeneration.
It is common for the eyes to be irritated or have a scratchy feeling. Pain is not a common eye problem unless there has been an injury. It is not unusual for the eyes to be slightly sensitive to light. However, sudden, painful sensitivity to light is a serious problem that may indicate glaucoma or inflammation of the muscles that control the pupil (iritis) and should be evaluated by your doctor.
Sudden problems such as new vision changes, pain in the eye, or increased drainage are often more serious and need to be evaluated by a doctor. Eye symptoms that are new or that occur suddenly may be evaluated by an emergency medicine specialist. Ongoing (chronic) eye problems that may be worsening are usually evaluated by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist).
Some children may have special risks for eye problems. Vision screening is recommended for infants who were either born at or before 30 weeks, whose birth weight was below 1500 g (3.3 lb), or who have serious medical conditions. Most vision problems are noticed first by the parents. See tips for spotting eye problems in your child. The first screening is recommended between 4 and 7 weeks after birth.1
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a doctor.
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Emergencies
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- • Sudden partial or complete loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes.
Note: Treatment is needed within 90 minutes to save vision.
Other symptoms may or may not be present, such as:
- Sudden flashes of light.
- New floaters.
- A curtain or veil covers the field of vision. This may be a sign of retinal detachment.
- Vision changes occur with sudden, severe eye pain, blurred vision, headache, or severe nausea and vomiting. These vision changes may be a sign of acute angle glaucoma.
- A curtain or veil that covers the field of vision, or flashes or sparkles of light that occur in one eye, may be signs of retinal detachment.
- Vision changes occur with signs of a stroke.
Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.
- Possible eye infection: Go to the topic Pinkeye.
- An injury to the eye: Go to the topic Eye Injuries.
- A chemical, heat, or ultraviolet light burn: Go to the topic Burns to the Eye.
- An object in the eye: Go to the topic Objects in the Eye.
- A head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
- Swelling of the eyelids not caused by an injury: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Non-injury.
Have you developed vision changes in one or both eyes?
See significance of vision changes if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have blurred vision and moderate eye pain?
Do you have eye pain and halos of light around objects?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Have you had painless vision changes that went away on their own within 30 minutes and were followed by a headache?
Do you have new blurred vision?
Do you have new flashes of light but no vision loss?
Do you have new halos of light around objects without other symptoms?
Have you noticed that one eyeball is bigger or sticks out more than the other eye, and you have a change in vision or redness in the eye?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Have flashes of light or vision changes that are typical of your diagnosed migraine headaches changed or become more bothersome?
Have you had a gradual vision loss over several weeks to months that is now affecting your ability to function?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
See significance of pain in the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
| Note: |
If the pain is due to a known injury, see the topic Eye Injuries. |
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you still have eye pain 2 to 3 hours after removing your contact lenses?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you have a new and painful sensitivity to light (photophobia)?
See significance of sensitivity to light if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have sensitivity to light with a fever, stiff neck, or vomiting?
Have you had a sudden onset of new and painful sensitivity to light (photophobia)?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Do you have new mild or moderate sensitivity to light?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Is your chronic sensitivity to light getting worse?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
See significance of blood in the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have blood over the colored part (iris) of your eye?
Do you have blood in the white part of your eye with any other symptoms? Other symptoms may include:
- Eye pain.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
- Decreased vision in all or part of the vision field.
- Blurred vision.
- Double vision.
- Floaters, flashes of light, or “curtains” in the vision field.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have blood in more than one-fourth of the white of the eye without other symptoms?
Is your eye swollen because of bleeding?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have blood in less than one-fourth of the white of the eye that has not cleared after 5 days or recurs often?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Are one or both of your eyes not moving normally (ocular deviation)?
See significance of eyes that do not move normally if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
| Note: |
If your eye movement is not normal after an injury, see the topic Eye Injuries. |
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you suddenly have double vision (diplopia)?
Do you have double vision that came on gradually with any one of the following symptoms?
- Pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness that keeps you from standing or walking
- Change in your mental state
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Have you had a slow, steady increase in double vision (diplopia), but you do not have other symptoms?
Do you have double vision that comes and goes but seems to be getting worse?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Does your baby age 3 months or younger have eyes that do not move together or that appear to "cross" several times a day?
Does your child older than 3 months have eyes that do not move together or that appear to "cross," but does not have other symptoms?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
See significance of drainage from the eyes if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have swollen, red eyelids and a fever?
Does your baby age 3 months or younger have new drainage from his or her eyes?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have a large amount of thick yellow drainage that continues to form after cleaning your eye?
Do you have swollen, red eyelids that stay swollen after cleaning away eye drainage?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Do you have white, yellow, or tan drainage from the eye that looks like pus and has gotten worse or not improved after 24 hours of home treatment?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Are watery eyes from allergies interfering with work, school, or other activities?
Have you had a small amount of eye drainage off and on for longer than 2 weeks?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you have an eyelid problem?
See significance of an eyelid problem if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
| Note: |
If you have drainage from your eyes, see the topic Pinkeye. Also see the topic Eyelid Problems (Blepharitis). |
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have redness, swelling, itching, and a lump on an eyelid?
Do you have any change in eyelid size or position?
Have you had constant eyelid twitching for 24 hours?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Have you had redness, itching, and scaly skin (blepharitis) at the edges of your eyelids for 48 hours or longer?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Do you have eyelid twitching that comes and goes and has lasted longer than a week?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you have new excessive tearing in one or both eyes?
See significance of excessive tearing if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you feel like you have something in your eyes?
Do you have eye pain?
Do you have swelling or redness below the inner edge of the eye?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Does your baby have excess tearing?
Does tearing from allergies interfere with work, school, or other activities?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you have a sore, ulcer, or grayish white spot on one or both eyes?
See significance of a sore on the eye if you need information to help you answer the question below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Do you have a sore, ulcer, or grayish white spot on your eyeball?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Are you having problems with your contact lenses?
See significance of a problem with contact lenses if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have an eye problem that does not get better when you remove your contact lenses?
Do your eye symptoms continue or become worse after you remove your contacts? Symptoms may include:
- Eye pain.
- Tearing.
- A feeling that something is in your eye.
- Drainage.
- Redness.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
See significance of vision changes caused by a medicine if you need information to help you answer the question below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Do you think that a medicine is causing your vision changes?
| Note: |
If your answer is yes: |
- Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine before taking your next dose to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.
- If you are taking a nonprescription medicine (not prescribed by a doctor), stop taking the medicine. If you feel that you need to continue taking the medicine, call your doctor to discuss it.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Have you had gradual changes in your eye problems or your vision?
See significance of chronic changes if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have any long-term (chronic) changes in your vision?
Are your eye problems getting worse?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.
Home Treatment
Home treatment measures may give you some relief from your eye symptoms.
- Rest your eye.
- Don't rub your eye.
- If you wear contacts, take the contacts out to rest the eyes.
- Use cold or warm compresses, whichever feels best.
- Gently flush your eye with cool water.
- Avoid bright lights or use dark glasses to protect the eye.
- Nonprescription eyedrops, such as artificial tear solutions (Tears Plus or Akwa Tears), may be used to moisten the eyes.
To learn how to use eyedrops, see:
| Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
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| Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
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For home treatment for these common eye problems, see the Home Treatment section of these related topics:
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.
- Vision changes occur, such as blurred vision, loss of vision, or double vision.
- Pain or drainage from your eye persists for more than 24 hours despite home treatment. Be sure to remove your contacts.
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) develops.
- You have blood in the eye.
- Swelling or redness develops around the eye area (periorbital cellulitis).
- Signs of infection are present.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
Prevention
Take good care of your eyes to prevent eye problems.
- Injuries from ultraviolet (UV) light can be prevented by wearing sunglasses that block UV rays and by wearing broad-brimmed hats. Be aware that the eye can be injured from sun glare while boating, sunbathing, or skiing. Use eye protection while you are under tanning lamps or using tanning booths. There is no proof that laser pointers cause eye injury.
- Wear goggles or protective glasses when you are handling chemicals, operating power tools, hammering nails, or playing sports that involve a risk of a blow to the eye, such as racquetball or hockey.
- Wear goggles or protective glasses at all times if you have only one functional eye.
- Be a good example to your children by wearing goggles or protective glasses when needed at work or play.
- Get periodic vision checkups:
- Every 2 years if you wear glasses.
- Every 5 years if you don't wear glasses.
- If you have a family history of eye disorders, diabetes, or a diagnosed vision disorder, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. Have your vision checked according to the schedule your eye care professional recommends.
- If you wear contact lenses, take good care of them. See caring for contact lenses.
- Keep your blood pressure under control. High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the eye.
People who have diabetes are at risk for a vision problem called diabetic retinopathy which is a complication of having high blood sugar over a long time. People who have diabetes need regular eye exams so that the early stages of diabetic retinopathy can be detected and in some cases treated. They also need to keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible to prevent blood vessel damage from long-term high blood sugar.
It is important to protect your children's vision. Regular eye exams identify problems early and corrective measures can be taken. Watching a lot of television, playing video games, or frequent computer use can decrease your child's natural blink reflex, which can cause dry, red, and irritated eyes.
For tips on how to prevent eye infections, see the topic Pinkeye.
For tips on how to prevent eye injuries, see the topic Eye Injuries.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:
- What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms?
- Do your symptoms affect one or both eyes?
- Have you had this problem in the past? If so, do you know what caused the problem at that time? How was it treated?
- Do you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses? Do you think the problem is because of your contacts?
- Have you had any vision changes, pain in the eye, double vision, excessive tearing, or increased sensitivity to light?
- Have you had any exposure to toxic fumes, chemicals, or smoke?
- Is anyone in your family or at your workplace having signs of eye infection, such as drainage from the eye or red and swollen eyelids?
- Do you have allergies or are your eye symptoms occurring at certain times of the year?
- What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help?
- What prescription and nonprescription medicines do you take?
- Have you recently traveled outside the country?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you have any health risks?
Related Information
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Amblyopia
- Burns to the Eye
- Cataracts
- Color Blindness
- Drooping Eyelids
- Eye Injuries
- Facial Injuries
- Facial Problems, Noninjury
- Fever, Age 3 and Younger
- Fever, Age 4 and Older
- Glaucoma
- Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
- Head Injury, Age 4 and Older
- Headaches
- Migraine Headaches
- Nearsightedness (Myopia)
- Objects in the Eye
- Pinkeye
- Retinal Detachment
- Strabismus
- Styes and Chalazia
- Tension Headaches
References
Citations
American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Ophthalmology, et al. (2006). Screening examination of premature infants for retinopathy of prematurity. Pediatrics, 117(2): 572–576. Also available online: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;117/2/572.pdf. [Erratum in Pediatrics, 118(3): 1324. Also available online: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;118/3/1324-a.pdf.]
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Daniel Greer |
| Associate Editor | Lila Havens |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ian MacDonald, MDCM, FRCSC - Ophthalmology |
| Last Updated | December 13, 2005 |
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