Eye Doctors Warn: 9 Critical Signs You Must Take Seriously to Protect Your Vision and Health
3. Eye Pain, Redness, and Sensitivity to Light: Signs of Serious Inflammation or Infection
Why These Symptoms Are Urgent
Severe eye pain combined with redness and light sensitivity (photophobia) can signal intraocular inflammation, infection, or increased intraocular pressure.
Causes
- Uveitis or iritis: inflammation of the middle eye layer
- Corneal infections: bacterial, viral, or fungal keratitis
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma: sudden increase in eye pressure causing pain and vision loss
- Contact lens-related infections
Risks and Consequences
- If untreated, infections can cause corneal scarring and permanent vision loss.
- Glaucoma can cause rapid optic nerve damage leading to blindness.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Rapid onset of eye pain
- Significant redness
- Visual disturbance or blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting with eye pain (indicating acute glaucoma)
Treatment
- Antibiotics or antivirals for infections
- Steroid eye drops for inflammation
- Emergency surgery for glaucoma
