Some painful eye conditions can be relieved with first aid, such as flushing the eye with water. Warm compresses or cool compresses may help some conditions.  

Medical treatment should be considered for any painful eye condition not easily attributed to eyestrain or a common irritant such as soap. Although most causes of eye pain are easily treatable, certain conditions can lead to serious eye damage or blindness if left untreated.

If an underlying condition such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, herpes, Reiter’s syndrome or Behcet’s disease is causing the eye pain, that condition must be addressed.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following measures in case of eye trauma:

• Seek help from an ophthalmologist or emergency room. Even seemingly minor eye injuries can cause permanent loss of vision.
  
  
• Do not rub the eye. To shield it, tape the bottom of a foam cup, or a similar item, against the surrounding facial bones.
  
  
• Do not apply ointments or medication to the eye, which might not be sterile and could impede diagnosis. Avoid taking aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other drugs that may worsen bleeding.
  
  
• In case of a cut or puncture, shield the eye without pressure and get immediate medical attention. Do not wash the eye or try to remove an object stuck in the eye.
  
  
• In case of a chemical burn, flush the eye immediately with clean water. Get emergency medical attention immediately.
  
  
• In case of a blunt blow to the eye, apply a cold compress with no pressure. Seek medical attention if pain, a visual disturbance or a black eye occurs after any blow.

In case of small debris in the eye, flush out the eye with eyewash. If the grit does not come out, seek medical attention.

Various medications can help soothe eye pain. If the physician has prescribed eye drops, it is important to ensure the medication reaches the eye and is absorbed. Eyedrop medications that the physician may recommend to alleviate eye pain include:

• Antibiotic eye drops. For bacterial infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops or an ointment for the eyes may be prescribed.
  
  
• NSAIDs. These medications, usually taken as pills in non-ophthalmic disorders, but also available as eye drops, help to reduce inflammation and pain.
  
  
• Artificial tears. For eye pain related to allergens or dry eyes, over–the–counter products may help remove mucus or dilute irritants in the eye.
  
  
• Antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers. For pain related to allergies, antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers, which strengthen mast cells and keep them from bursting and releasing histamine and other chemicals, may be prescribed. The sign of allergy and histamine is itch, rarely pain.
  
  
• Corticosteroids. These drugs reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are very cautiously prescribed because they can make certain infections, such as herpes, worse. If they are prescribed, they should be used only for short–term relief and under supervision of a physician.
  
  
• Glaucoma eye drops. These medications lower the pressure in the eye.

Several other treatments may be used for eye pain. Some are commonsense remedies, such as checking the fit or prescription of eyeglasses. Eyes sprayed with harmful liquids, such as those in household cleaners, should be flushed thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Compresses may also relieve some eye pain. For instance, warm compresses may help styes or crusted eyelids And cold compresses constrict blood vessels and may reduce allergic reactions.

Surgery may be used for some causes of eye pain, such as dry eye. Punctal occlusion surgery is a procedure in which a plug is placed in one of two ducts between the eyelids and the nose to keep tears from flowing into the nose. Laser treatment or surgery to treat angle-closure glaucoma can prevent pain and blindness.