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

Short answer

Worsening eye pain or blurred vision after an eye hit needs urgent medical evaluation today. If your vision changed or pain is severe, go to the ER now (call 911 if you can’t safely get there).

Do not do these things

Do not wait overnight to “see if it improves” when pain is worsening or vision is blurry.
Do not rub, press on, or try to “pop” swelling around the eye.
Do not try to remove anything embedded or stuck in the eye.
Do not wear contact lenses until you’ve been evaluated.
Do not drive yourself if your vision is blurred/double or you feel dizzy or unsafe.

What to do now

Go to the ER now if any red flags are present. Go to an ER now if you have blurred or decreased vision, severe/worsening pain, double vision, significant headache, nausea/vomiting, blood in the eye, a pupil that looks uneven/oddly shaped, you can’t open the eye, or it involved high-speed impact (ball, tool, lawn equipment).
Call 911 if you can’t safely get to care. This includes if you can’t see well enough to travel, you’re alone without safe transport, you feel faint/very unwell, or you suspect a serious/penetrating injury.
If symptoms are “not severe” but are worsening, still get same-day evaluation. If you can’t get same-day ophthalmology quickly, the ER is the safest default for worsening pain + blurred vision after trauma (urgent care may not be equipped for serious eye injuries).
Protect the eye while you travel. Keep activity low. If you’re worried about bumping it, loosely shield the eye (for example, a clean paper cup taped around the bony orbit — not pressed onto the eyelid).
Remove contact lenses only if it’s easy and doesn’t worsen pain. If it feels stuck or very painful, leave it and tell the clinician.
Use cautious pain relief. If you can take it, acetaminophen is a reasonable first choice while you’re getting evaluated. Tell the clinician what you’ve taken. Avoid using any “numbing” eye drops unless a clinician specifically instructed you to.
Bring the key details with you. Time of injury, what hit your eye, whether it was high-speed, and what changed (blur, double vision, light sensitivity, new flashes/floaters, worsening pain). Bring your medication list and any eye prescriptions.

What can wait

You do not need to figure out the exact cause before seeking care — the combination of worsening pain + blurred vision after trauma is enough.
You do not need to try multiple home remedies, eye washes, or leftover drops first.
You do not need to make decisions about reporting, insurance details, or follow-up scheduling until after you’ve been evaluated and stabilized.

Important reassurance

It’s common for symptoms to evolve hours after an injury, and it can be hard to judge severity by appearance alone. Getting checked urgently is the safest choice when pain is worsening or vision is affected.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the first day after an eye impact. Next steps depend on what clinicians find.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical advice or 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