Individuals experiencing eye pain are advised to contact an ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in eye disorders. Trauma or acute conditions such as angle-closure glaucoma may require going to a hospital emergency room or clinic.

The physician will review a medical history, listen to a description of the pain and any other symptoms, and conduct a physical examination. The physician may check eye motion, examine the eyelids and the reaction of pupils to light, and assess visual acuity. Common eye tests include:

• Funduscopy (ophthalmoscopy). Use of a lighted instrument to examine the back of the eye for damage.
  
  
• Tonometry. An assessment of the pressure inside the eye.

If glaucoma or other eye diseases are suspected, several other painless eye tests may be performed, such as:

• Perimetry (visual field test). Assessment of peripheral (side) vision.
  
  
• Gonioscopy. Inspection of the eye’s surface with a special lens.

Other eye tests or examinations may take place to determine the cause of the pain. Depending on the suspected cause of the pain, imaging tests such as CAT scans may be used. Blood tests and other lab tests can help in diagnosing conditions such as infections, Reiter’s syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome.