Eye Pain, Irritation & Infection

A red, sore or irritated eye has many possible causes: pink eye, allergies, dry eye, a stye, a scratch on the surface of the eye, or something stuck in it. Most are minor and treatable in the clinic. A few eye problems are emergencies, so it helps to know which signs to watch for.

A provider checks your vision and examines the eye and eyelids, and may use numbing drops and a special dye to look for a scratch or something stuck in the eye. Depending on the cause, treatment can include antibiotic or allergy eye drops, warm compresses for a stye, or rinsing the eye. If we find signs of something more serious, we'll arrange same-day care with an eye specialist or send you to the ER.

Come in for eye redness, discharge, irritation or a stye that isn't getting better, or eye pain after something got in your eye. If you wear contact lenses and have a painful red eye, take the lenses out and be seen the same day.