PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Health & medical scares

What to do if…
you have sudden severe eye pain with redness or halos around lights

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Go to an emergency room now. If you need immediate emergency assistance or cannot get there safely, call 911.

Do not do these things

  • Do not wait to see whether the pain settles before seeking care.
  • Do not drive yourself if your vision is affected or you feel too unwell to drive safely.
  • Do not put contact lenses back in after removing them.
  • Do not delay rinsing the eye to look for sterile saline if a chemical exposure is possible.

What to do now

  1. Go to an emergency room now. Sudden severe eye pain with a red eye, halos, blurred vision, headache, nausea, or vomiting can need urgent treatment.
  2. Ask someone else to drive you. Call 911 if you need immediate emergency assistance or cannot get to emergency care safely.
  3. If an ophthalmologist confirms that they can assess you immediately, follow their instructions. Otherwise, go to an emergency room rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
  4. If you wear contact lenses, remove them if you can do so easily. Do not put them back in. Bring your glasses and lens case.
  5. At check-in, say: “I have sudden severe eye pain with a red eye and halos around lights.” Mention any blurred vision, headache, nausea, or vomiting.
  6. If a chemical may have splashed into the eye, start rinsing immediately with clean lukewarm running water. Remove contact lenses during rinsing if they come out easily. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance, but do not delay emergency care when severe symptoms are present.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause yourself.
  • You do not need to call several offices before seeking emergency care.
  • You do not need to decide about treatment before you are assessed.

Important reassurance

Seeking emergency care is a reasonable response to this symptom pattern. Several eye conditions can cause similar symptoms, and prompt assessment gives clinicians the chance to protect your vision.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next few hours only. Later decisions may need help from an eye specialist or another healthcare professional.

Important note

This is general information, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a substitute for professional care.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us