iCliniq Logo
HomeAnswersOphthalmology (Eye Care)eye pain

Are redness, pain, and irritation in the eye serious?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 31-year-old female. My right eye is red and very sensitive to light. It is painful while I move the eyeballs. Center of the eye is paining with irritation.

Answered by Dr. Rodney John Smith

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

A couple of things come to mind when an eye presents like you described red, painful, photophobic. The first one is an eye inflammation, officially called an anterior uveitis.

The Probable causes

This is usually an isolated incident. It is considered idiopathic, which is just a fancy way of saying we do not know what causes it. If there is a history of this happening before sometimes lab work is ordered to rule out various diseases. Those might include things like Crohn's disease or Sarcoidosis or Spondyloarthritis.

Investigations to be done

For an anterior uveitis there is nothing over the counter (OTC) to treat it. A visit to an eye doctor to confirm this tentative diagnosis is in order.

Differential diagnosis

If you are a contact lens wearer this could be a corneal ulcer, those present the same way as an anterior uveitis.

Probable diagnosis

Anterior uveitis.

Treatment plan

Again, there is nothing over the counter for this. If you indeed have an anterior uveitis it would need to be treated with prescription steroid drops. And we need to be careful with steroid drops, if you have an eye infection the steroid will make the eye infection much worse. And steroid drops have other side effects that need to be monitored, they can cause cataracts and they can cause an increase in the eye pressure (putting the patient at risk for glaucoma).

Preventive measures

Nothing can be done to prevent this.

Regarding follow up

This does not appear to be self-limiting. I am happy to give you all this information but follow up with a doctor is definitely the next step.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

How serious could it be? We are in lockdown mode and going out to meet a doctor might be tuff. How urgently we have to meet the doctor? Can we delay it or use some drops which you suggest?

Answered by Dr. Rodney John Smith

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, the lockdown does complicate things. If it is anterior uveitis like I suspect, then it should resolve on its own. It just might be painful during that time. You can take over the counter pain medicine like Alleve for that. If your vision is not affected, then it might be fine to wait. If your vision is getting worse, you would want to make every effort to see a physician. No OTC drops for this. But, again, for the pain, you can use OTCs.

Answered byDr. Rodney John Smith

Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.

Published At April 10, 2020
Reviewed AtJune 5, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Rodney John Smith
Dr. Rodney John Smith

Ophthalmology (Eye Care)

Consult this doctor
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Related Questions

I am having eye pain and discomfort even after using new glasses. Kindly help.

I am suffering from pressure, pain and tightness in my head and forehead. Why does it last so long?

What are the treatment options available for dilated pupil?

I have headaches, eye pain and vomiting. Kindly advice.

A Simple Approach to Cure Red Eyes

Can vaginosis, uveitis and back pain happen together?

Read answers about:

eye painanterior uveitis

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Ophthalmology (Eye Care)

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Trustpilot

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.