Condition

Eye Pain

Also known as Painful Eye, Ocular Pain, Sharp Eye Pain, Aching Eye, Pain Behind the Eye

Updated May 16, 2026For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

Eye pain can come from a scratch, dry eye, migraine, infection, inflammation, or high eye pressure. Severe pain, vision loss, injury, or a red painful contact lens eye needs urgent care.

Eye pain can start on the eye surface, inside the eye, around the orbit, or from a headache disorder. The painful eye review covers causes from mild irritation to sight-threatening disease 1.

A red painful eye is more concerning than mild irritation. Acute glaucoma, keratitis, uveitis, scleritis, injury, and infection can threaten vision 2.

Some eye pain happens with a quiet-looking eye. A clinical review of pain in the quiet eye includes migraine, nerve pain, sinus disease, and neuro-ophthalmic causes 3.

Common Causes

Eye pain has many possible causes:

  • Dry eye or irritation. Burning, stinging, and gritty pain often fluctuate.
  • Corneal abrasion. A scratch causes sharp pain and tearing.
  • Keratitis. A cornea infection can cause pain, redness, discharge, and light sensitivity.
  • Uveitis. Inflammation inside the eye can cause deep ache and light sensitivity.
  • Acute glaucoma. Severe pain with halos, headache, and nausea is an emergency.
  • Migraine or headache disorders. Pain may be around or behind the eye.
  • Optic neuritis. Pain with eye movement and vision change needs prompt care.

The painful eye review discusses these eye-threatening and vision-threatening causes 1.

Red Flags

Get emergency care now for sudden vision loss, severe pain with halos and nausea, chemical splash, or eye injury. Get same-day urgent eye care for a red painful contact lens eye.

Also call the operating surgeon right away for new pain or vision drop after eye surgery. Eye pain with fever, eyelid swelling, or trouble moving the eye needs urgent medical care.

What Not To Do

Avoid these steps unless a doctor tells you otherwise:

  • Do not wear contact lenses. Keep them out until pain is explained.
  • Do not use leftover steroid drops. They can worsen some infections.
  • Do not patch a painful contact lens eye. A patch can trap germs.
  • Do not wait out severe pain. Severe pain with vision change needs care now.

Common Questions About Eye Pain

Yes. Dry eye can cause burning, aching, and light sensitivity. Chronic eye surface pain can also involve sensitive nerves.

Next Steps

  1. 1Remove contact lenses if either eye hurts.
  2. 2Use preservative-free artificial tears for mild irritation only.
  3. 3Avoid rubbing, patching, or using leftover steroid drops.
  4. 4Book prompt eye care for pain with redness or light sensitivity.
  5. 5Go to the emergency room for sudden vision loss, severe pain with halos and nausea, injury, or chemical splash.

Find specialists for Eye Pain

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