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Last updated: October 21, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Eye Pain

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Dry Eye Syndrome: This is a common condition that can cause eye pain, usually due to inadequate tear production or poor tear quality. It's often associated with symptoms like dryness, grittiness, and irritation.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Conjunctivitis: An inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid, which can cause pain, redness, and discharge.
  • Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids that can cause pain, redness, and swelling, often associated with itching and burning sensations.
  • Corneal Abrasion: A scratch on the surface of the eye that can be very painful and may cause sensitivity to light, tearing, and a feeling of something being in the eye.
  • Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which can cause pain, sensitivity to light, and vision problems.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A medical emergency that causes severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and vision problems due to increased pressure in the eye.
  • Endophthalmitis: A severe inflammation of the interior of the eye, usually caused by infection, which can lead to vision loss if not promptly treated.
  • Orbital Cellulitis: An infection of the tissues surrounding the eye that can cause pain, swelling, and vision problems, potentially leading to serious complications if not treated.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Scleritis: A severe inflammation of the sclera (the white part of the eye), which can cause deep, boring pain and tenderness to the touch.
  • Keratitis: An inflammation of the cornea that can cause pain, redness, and vision problems, often due to infection.
  • Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause pain with eye movement, vision loss, and impaired color vision, often associated with multiple sclerosis.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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