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What to do if…
you hit your eye and later develop worsening pain or blurred vision

Short answer

Treat worsening eye pain or any blurred vision after an eye hit as urgent. Go to A&E today for assessment — and call 999 if you can’t safely get there or you think the injury is severe.

Do not do these things

Do not “sleep it off” or wait for tomorrow if pain is worsening or vision is blurred.
Do not rub, press, or massage the eye (even gently).
Do not try to remove anything stuck in the eye.
Do not wear contact lenses until you’ve been assessed.
Do not drive yourself if vision is blurred, you have double vision, or you feel unsafe to travel.

What to do now

Check for urgent red flags and choose A&E now if any apply. Go to A&E now if you have any change in vision (blurred, doubled, reduced), severe or worsening pain, a worsening headache, marked light sensitivity, nausea/vomiting, blood in the eye, an oddly shaped/unequal pupil, you can’t open the eye, or it was a high-speed impact (ball/tool/garden equipment).
If you can’t safely get to A&E, call 999. This includes if you can’t see well enough to travel, feel faint/very unwell, are alone without safe transport, or you suspect a penetrating/serious injury.
If you’re unsure but symptoms are worsening, get same-day urgent help anyway. Call NHS 111 and say: “I hit my eye earlier and now the pain is worsening / my vision is blurred.” They can direct you to the right urgent service (A&E, urgent treatment centre, or an urgent eye service where available).
Protect the eye while you arrange help. Keep it closed if that’s more comfortable. If you’re worried about further knocks, loosely shield it (for example, a clean paper cup taped to the bone around the eye — not pressed onto the eyelid).
Remove contact lenses only if it’s easy and doesn’t worsen pain. If they feel stuck or removal increases pain, leave them and tell the clinician.
Use cautious pain relief if you need it. If you can take it, paracetamol is usually a safer first choice while you’re getting assessed. Tell the clinician what you’ve taken.
Be ready to describe what changed. Note: time of injury, what hit your eye, whether it was high-speed, and what’s different now (blur, double vision, light sensitivity, new flashes/floaters, worsening pain, headache, nausea). Bring your medication list and glasses/contact details if you have them.

What can wait

You do not need to decide right now whether it’s “serious” — worsening pain or blurred vision after a hit is enough to seek urgent assessment.
You do not need to search for a diagnosis or try multiple home treatments first.
You do not need to contact your GP for a routine appointment before getting urgent help (111/A&E are appropriate routes for this situation).

Important reassurance

It’s common to feel shaken or unsure because symptoms can worsen hours after an eye injury. Getting checked urgently is a protective move — many eye problems look similar early on, and it’s safer to be assessed promptly than to guess at home.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the hours after an eye injury with worsening symptoms. Further treatment depends on what’s found.

Important note

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have worsening pain, blurred vision, or any vision change after an eye injury, seek urgent medical care.

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What to do if…you hit your eye and later develop worsening pain or blurred vision