Pain in the Eye

Welcome to our guide on eye pain.

This guide will offer helpful information while you are awaiting further evaluation, or to supplement what you may have already learned after evaluation by your doctor. Please keep in mind that this guide cannot replace a face-to-face evaluation with your own health care provider.

First, we will try to determine if what you have is conjunctivitis (pinkeye). Conjunctivitis can feel uncomfortable. The surface of the eye may be itchy or irritated and the white part of the eye often turns red. Actual pain is not common with simple conjunctivitis.

My eye is

Painful

Irritated or itchy but not painful

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Online Medical Reviewer: Shmerling, Robert H. MD Date Last Reviewed: 5/4/2006 Date Last Modified: 3/30/2006 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.