Severe, aching eye pain is often a sign of a more serious
condition, such as a buildup of pressure inside the eyeball
(glaucoma) or inflammation of the colored part of the eye
(iritis). Call your doctor immediately to arrange for care that
will prevent the condition from becoming worse and possibly
causing blindness. Some minor eye irritation is common with
minor eye infections, such as pinkeye (conjunctivitis).
Allergies or dryness in the eye may cause your eyes to feel
sandy or scratchy. When you have a viral illness that causes
fever, such as influenza, it may hurt to move your eyes (such as
when you look to the side without turning your head). This pain
usually goes away as the illness improves. A scratch on the
cornea from an object in the eye, a fingernail, or a contact
lens can be very painful. If you wear contact lenses, pain may
be a sign of an ulcerated cornea or other serious problem.
Remove your lenses. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or
reflected glare (such as skiing without goggles or weldin