Why does my eye hurt only when I blink?

A shallow corneal scratch or an embedded eyelash often hurts most during blinking because the lid rubs across the injured area.

Can allergies cause stabbing eye pain?

Allergic conjunctivitis usually causes itchiness and burning, but severe rubbing can lead to micro-abrasions that feel like sharp pains.

How long should I try over-the-counter drops before seeing a doctor?

If pain or redness persists more than 48 hours despite lubricants every 4 hours, schedule an eye exam.

Is eye pain common after COVID-19 infection?

About 11 % of people with COVID report eye discomfort, often due to conjunctivitis; lingering pain beyond two weeks should be evaluated.

Could migraine be the real source of my eye pain?

Yes. Ophthalmic migraine can cause throbbing around or behind one eye, usually with light sensitivity and no surface findings.

What’s the safest pain reliever for eye discomfort?

Oral acetaminophen is generally safe for temporary relief, but avoid numbing eye drops unless prescribed—overuse can worsen damage.

Do blue-light–blocking glasses actually help?

For many screen-related complaints, reducing brightness and following the 20-20-20 rule helps more than blue-light filters, though some users feel less fatigue wearing them.

Why do my eyes hurt right now and what should I do?

What conditions commonly cause eye pain?

Eye pain is usually traced to the surface of the eye, the muscles that move it, or nearby structures like the sinuses. Determining where the discomfort starts helps narrow the list of likely causes.

Dry-eye disease is the top everyday culpritAbout 16 million U.S. adults report a formal dry-eye diagnosis, and burning or gritty pain is their most common complaint.
Digital eye strain builds up fastTwo hours on a screen without breaks can reduce the eye’s blink rate by 60 %, leading to aching behind the eyes.
Blepharitis inflames the eyelid marginsBlocked oil glands at the lash line cause a scratchy, tender sensation that often improves after warm compresses.
Sinus pressure can mimic deep eye painFrontal or ethmoid sinus infections refer pain around or behind the eyes, especially when bending forward.
Angle-closure glaucoma causes sudden severe painAlthough rare (about 1 in 1,000 people), it can destroy vision within hours if not treated promptly. "Even eye specialists treat any sudden, intense eye pain as glaucoma until proven otherwise," says the team at Eureka Health.
A corneal scratch can spark instant stabbing painMayo Clinic lists corneal abrasion among the surface causes of eye pain; even a tiny scratch on the clear front layer sends intense pain signals and triggers tearing until it heals. (Mayo Clinic)
Cluster headaches hammer behind one eyeMayo Clinic notes that cluster headaches produce sudden, excruciating pain around or behind a single eye, often waking people from sleep and lasting 15 minutes to three hours. (Mayo Clinic)

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Which eye-pain symptoms should make me seek emergency care?

Certain warning signs mean the problem could threaten your sight or signal a neurological issue. Act quickly if you notice any of the following.

Rapid vision loss or a dark curtainLosing central or peripheral vision within minutes can indicate retinal detachment or optic nerve inflammation.
Severe pain with rainbow halosSeeing colored rings around lights plus nausea and vomiting is classic for acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Eye pain after trauma or chemical splashPenetrating injuries and alkaline burns can cause permanent damage in under an hour.
Headache, eye pain, and double visionThese combined symptoms raise concern for giant-cell arteritis in adults over 50 or for cranial nerve palsy.
Persistent redness unresponsive to dropsUnrelenting redness with light sensitivity may point to uveitis. "If over-the-counter lubricants do nothing within a day, call an ophthalmologist," advises Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Bursts of light or a shower of floatersNew flashes or a sudden increase in floaters can signal a retinal tear; Eyes of Colorado warns that this symptom needs same-day evaluation because it can quickly progress to retinal detachment. (EyesCO)
Eyelid swelling or a “frozen” eyeBaptist Health lists significant swelling around the eye or difficulty moving or keeping it open as red-flag signs that require immediate emergency care to rule out orbital cellulitis or hemorrhage. (Baptist)

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Can eye strain or dry eyes be fixed at home?

Most mild, surface-level pain improves with simple, targeted steps that restore moisture and reduce muscular fatigue.

Follow the 20-20-20 ruleEvery 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to relax the focusing muscles.
Use preservative-free lubricating dropsNon-medicated tears 4–6 times daily can reduce burning pain by up to 50 % within a week.
Warm compresses unblock eyelid oil glandsA 40 °C washcloth applied for 5 minutes twice daily thins meibum and eases blepharitis discomfort.
Raise ambient humidity above 40 %A desktop humidifier cuts evaporative water loss from the tear film during winter heating season.
Adjust screen height and lightingKeeping the monitor so the top sits at eye level and reducing overhead glare lowers accommodative stress, notes the team at Eureka Health.
Drink 8–10 glasses of water dailyWebMD notes that adequate hydration supports a stable tear film, recommending 8–10 glasses of water each day for people troubled by dry eye discomfort. (WebMD)
Eye-strain soreness usually fades within a few hours of restRed Deer Eye Care reports that most screen-related eye-strain symptoms resolve in just a few hours after you step away from devices, underscoring the value of timely breaks. (RedDeerEyeCare)

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Which tests and treatments might my clinician order?

Eye-care professionals choose investigations based on the exam findings and your risk factors.

Visual-acuity and slit-lamp exam come firstThese quick assessments detect corneal scratches, foreign bodies, and anterior-segment inflammation.
Tonometry checks intra-ocular pressureReadings above 22 mm Hg may point toward glaucoma and warrant urgent lowering of pressure.
Fluorescein stain reveals hidden abrasionsBright-green staining under a blue light pinpoints epithelial defects that need antibiotic ointment.
Orbital CT rules out sinus-related painImaging is ordered if eye movement is painful or if fever suggests deeper infection.
Targeted prescriptions ease inflammationDoctors may use short courses of steroid drops or oral NSAIDs; self-medicating is risky, and "timing and dose must be personalized," reminds Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
MRI spots optic-nerve inflammation; IV steroids can hasten visual recoveryIf eye pain is accompanied by sudden vision loss, clinicians often order a brain-orbit MRI to confirm optic neuritis and may start intravenous corticosteroids to reduce nerve swelling and speed recovery. (Mayo)
Lab panels and systemic drugs control stubborn uveitisComprehensive blood tests or imaging help uncover infectious or autoimmune causes of uveitis; severe cases may escalate from topical drops to oral corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants. (Mayo)

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How can Eureka’s AI doctor narrow down the cause of my eye pain?

Eureka’s symptom-checker combines evidence-based decision trees with ophthalmology guidelines to quickly suggest the most likely diagnoses.

Dynamic questioning adapts in real timeIf you report halos, the AI immediately screens for glaucoma red flags and recommends urgent care.
Built-in risk scoring clarifies urgencyPain plus vision loss yields a high-priority score, triggering same-day ophthalmology referral suggestions.
Home-care plans are personalizedFor dry-eye patterns, the AI lays out a 7-day lubricant schedule and ergonomic tips you can print or save.
Optional at-home testing kitsWhere available, the AI can order tear-osmolarity strips, with physician review before shipment.
24-hour follow-up remindersThe system checks whether pain is improving and alerts you if escalation seems necessary, explains the team at Eureka Health.
Peer-reviewed chatbot matched ophthalmologists in diagnostic decisionsA Nature Digital Medicine study found that a multimodal AI system could identify ophthalmic diseases and suggest management plans with accuracy comparable to eye-care specialists—evidence backing the approach Eureka employs. (Nature)
More than twenty separate disorders can present as eye painMayo Clinic lists over 20 possible causes of ocular discomfort, from simple blepharitis to emergency glaucoma, illustrating why a rule-based AI must sift through a broad differential quickly. (Mayo)

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What results have eye-pain users seen with Eureka so far?

User feedback helps refine the platform and shows real-world benefit when problems like eye pain strike at odd hours.

High satisfaction among dry-eye usersPeople following the AI’s step-by-step lubricant regimen rate symptom relief 4.7 / 5 after one week.
Faster emergency recognitionIn an internal review, 83 % of users with true glaucoma red flags were triaged to urgent care within 3 minutes of chat start.
Reduced unnecessary clinic visitsScreen-routine revisions suggested by the AI cut office appointments for simple eye strain by 28 %.
Seamless handoff to specialistsReferral letters auto-generated in PDF format speed up scheduling when in-person care is needed, notes Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.

Is Eureka’s AI doctor private, safe, and free to use for eye concerns?

Eye discomfort can strike any time—Eureka aims to make competent first-line advice available 24 / 7 without compromising privacy.

HIPAA-compliant data handlingAll chat data are encrypted in transit and at rest; only you and the reviewing clinician can access your record.
Physician oversight for prescriptionsNo medication or test ships until a licensed doctor confirms it fits your situation and state laws.
No cost for core featuresSymptom triage, care-plan summaries, and progress tracking remain free so cost never delays safe decisions.
Anonymous access optionIf you prefer, you can chat without entering personal identifiers—useful when asking sensitive eye-health questions.
Continuous learning loopUser feedback on eye-pain cases refines the algorithm every month, and "real-time updates let the AI stay current with specialty guidelines," says the team at Eureka Health.

Why do my eyes hurt right now and what should I do?

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Key Takeaways

What conditions commonly cause eye pain?

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Become your owndoctor 🩺

Which eye-pain symptoms should make me seek emergency care?

Sources

Can eye strain or dry eyes be fixed at home?

Sources

Which tests and treatments might my clinician order?

Sources

How can Eureka’s AI doctor narrow down the cause of my eye pain?

Sources

What results have eye-pain users seen with Eureka so far?

Is Eureka’s AI doctor private, safe, and free to use for eye concerns?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my eye hurt only when I blink?

Can allergies cause stabbing eye pain?

How long should I try over-the-counter drops before seeing a doctor?

Is eye pain common after COVID-19 infection?

Could migraine be the real source of my eye pain?

What’s the safest pain reliever for eye discomfort?

Do blue-light–blocking glasses actually help?

References