Eye problems, including eye pain or redness and changes in your vision may be signs of a

problem that requires medical attention. Follow the chart below for more information
about problems with your eyes.

SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS SELF-CARE

1. Is your eye tearing? Go to Question 11.**

2. Do you have blurred

Go to Question 8.*
vision?

3. Have you recently

injured your eye, and are
you experiencing any of
the following symptoms:

• sudden appearance You may have a serious URGENT

of spots and strings and urgent problem, CALL YOUR EYE
floating in your such as a DETACHED DOCTOR RIGHT
field of vision; RETINA. AWAY.
• flashes of light in 1
or both eyes;

• partial loss of
vision?

Your symptoms may be

from ACUTE
4. Is your eye red, do you
GLAUCOMA, a URGENT
have severe eye pain, or
condition caused by a If you have these
has your vision suddenly
rise in eye pressure that symptoms, call your
decreased or become
can cause permanent doctor right away.
cloudy?
vision damage or
blindness.

5. Are you experiencing Your symptoms may be SEE YOUR DOCTOR

flu-like symptoms such as
fever, fatigue, muscle
aches and a pain in one or
both temples?
6. Do you have thick nasal
drainage and pain or
pressure on your forehead
and behind your eyes?
7. Are your eyes red or
sensitive to light, are you
experiencing eye pain, and
do you see dark, floating
spots?
8. Do you have diabetes,
and have you noticed any
changes in your vision?
9. Does your toddler have
crossed eyes?
10. Are your eyes red,
itchy or swollen, or is
there a bite-like swelling
on one of your eyelids?
a sign of a serious
inflammatory condition
RIGHT AWAY.
called TEMPORAL
ARTERITIS.
Use a cold or sinus
medicine, and drink lots
of fluids. Warm facial
compresses may also help
SINUSITIS (an infection
relieve the pain. If your
of the sinuses) may be
symptoms don't improve,
the cause of your pain.
or if you have constant
fever or severe pain, see
your doctor as soon as
possible.
You may have an
See your doctor or an eye
inflammation inside the
specialist right away.
eye called IRITIS.
Tell your doctor about the
Over time, too much
vision changes you have
glucose (sugar) in the
experienced. He or she
blood can cause eye
can give you advice on
problems.
preventing eye problems.
Crossed eyes, or
STRABISMUS, can
Have your child checked
occur when eye muscles
by an eye specialist
become weak or when
(ophthalmologist).
there is a loss or lack of
vision in one eye.
Your symptoms may be Use a cool compress and
from an ALLERGY or take an antihistamine to
an INSECT BITE. relieve discomfort. See
your doctor if the

**11. Do you have a
fever, and is your eye
swollen and tender to the
touch?
12. Is there a firm, painful
lump in the eyelid or a
tender "pimple" on the
edge of the eyelid?
13. Is the white of the eye
pink, red or irritated, and
are there any secretions or
mucus from the eye?
14. Is your eye red, is your
vision blurry and do you
feel like you have sand in
your eye?
swelling doesn't get better
or if you have a fever.
These may be signs of a
URGENT
serious eye infection
SEE YOUR DOCTOR
called PERIORBITAL
RIGHT AWAY.
CELLULITIS.
Sties usually heal in 5 to 7
days. To relieve the pain,
apply warm compresses
for 10 to 15 minutes, 4
You may have either a
times a day and take mild
CHALAZION or a
pain relievers. If the bump
HORDEOLUM; both
grows or doesn't go away,
are types of STIES.
see your doctor. If the
redness spreads or swells
quickly, seek help
promptly.
Conjunctivitis is very
contagious, so avoid
contact with the eye and
wash your hands often.
Try over-the-counter
CONJUNCTIVITIS, eyedrops and apply warm
also called "PINK EYE," compresses to relieve any
can be caused by a virus discomfort.
or bacteria.
If there's no improvement,
you may have a more
serious form of viral or
bacterial conjunctivitis.
See your doctor promptly.
This sensation may be Rinse your eye with clean
from a SCRATCHED water or a saline solution.
CORNEA or from a If the sensation doesn't go
small particle under the away, see your doctor as
eyelid. soon as possible.
 Apply warm compresses
15. Do you have a burning
and wash your eye gently
sensation in the eye, is the
This chronic irritation is with an eyewash and
eye red and itchy, and is
called BLEPHARITIS. washcloth. If the problem
the skin around the eye
doesn't resolve, see your
scaling?
doctor.

You may have an Remove your contact

irritation from contact lenses and let your eyes
16. Do you wear contact
lens overuse or a more rest for a while. If the
lenses, and do you have
serious eye condition redness or irritation
eye pain?
caused by your contact doesn't go away, see your
lenses. eye care professional.

For more information,

please talk to your doctor.
If you think your problem
is serious, call your doctor
right away.