Dr Moïse Tourabaly · Guides
Eye symptoms: when to seek care?
Often benignMonitor at home
- Isolated eyelid twitching, brief and passing
- Mild eye strain or stinging after screen time
- Brief discomfort that eases with rest, without pain or drop in vision
To assessBook an appointment in the next few days
- A symptom that lasts several weeks or comes back often
- Persistent dryness, redness or discomfort
- Vision that blurs repeatedly, with associated headaches
EmergencySee an ophthalmologist the same day or, failing that, go to an eye emergency department
- Sudden loss of vision, a veil, or intense eye pain
- Flashes of light, a shower of floaters, a dark curtain
- Sudden double vision, a very painful red eye
- Injury, chemical splash or a blow to the eye
When in doubt, it is better to seek advice: an early opinion avoids many complications. This guide is for information only and does not replace an examination by your ophthalmologist.