Someone can have eye pain on the surface of the eye or within the eye's deeper structures. Severe eye pain — especially with any vision loss — may signal a serious medical condition. Seek medical attention right away.

Eye pain on the surface of the eye might be described as itching, burning or shooting pain. Surface eye pain is often related to dry eyes, a foreign object in the eye, an eye infection, or anything that irritates or inflames the membrane covering the surface of the eye.

Eye pain that is deeper within the eye can be described as throbbing or aching.

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Feb. 18, 2025