When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Seek emergency medical care

Call 911 or your local emergency number for eye pain if:

  • It is unusually severe or accompanied by a headache, fever or unusual sensitivity to light.
  • Your vision changes suddenly.
  • You also experience nausea or vomiting.
  • It is caused by a foreign object or chemical splashed in your eye.
  • You suddenly begin to see halos around lights.
  • You have swelling in or around your eyes.
  • You have trouble moving your eye or are unable to keep it open.
  • You have blood or pus coming from your eyes.

Make a doctor's appointment

Contact your eye surgeon if you're experiencing eye pain and you've had eye surgery in the past or if you've recently had eye surgery or an eye injection.

Seek medical attention if:

  • You have eye pain and you wear soft contact lenses.
  • You have a weakened immune system.
  • Your eye pain is not improving after 2 to 3 days of medication.

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March 03, 2023

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