Eye pressure, aching, or a feeling of fullness after an injury should be taken seriously, because damage inside the eye can raise pressure even when the outside looks mostly normal. Get emergency care now if you have blurred or lost vision, severe or increasing pain, blood inside the eye, nausea or vomiting, light sensitivity, or an injury from a sharp or fast-moving object. Do not rub or press the eye.
What does eye pressure after an injury mean?
After an eye injury, you might notice pressure, aching, a feeling of fullness, or pain around or behind the eyeball. These sensations do not necessarily mean that the pressure inside the eye is high. Swelling, a scratch on the eye's surface, or damage to deeper structures can also cause discomfort.
Intraocular pressure, commonly called eye pressure, is the pressure of the fluid inside the eyeball. If you notice a pressure sensation after a direct blow, you cannot determine the actual pressure level from how the eye feels or looks. A healthcare professional may need to examine the eye and measure its pressure to understand what is happening.
New or persistent pressure after a direct hit to the eye warrants prompt medical assessment, particularly when it occurs with pain or redness. Do not wait for your vision to change before seeking help if the injury was significant or you are concerned about damage inside the eye.
When should you get emergency help?
The NHS guidance on eye injuries identifies changes in sight, severe eye pain, sensitivity to light, headache, nausea or vomiting, high-speed impacts, and penetrating injuries as reasons to seek emergency care.
Go to an emergency department immediately if you experience any of the following after an eye injury:
- Changes in vision: Blurred or double vision, sudden loss of sight, new flashes of light, many new floaters, or a shadow across part of your vision.
- Significant or worsening pain: Pain that is severe, increases over time, or occurs with marked redness or sensitivity to light.
- Nausea, vomiting, or headache: These symptoms are especially concerning when they occur alongside eye pain or vision changes.
- Visible blood inside the eye: Blood pooling in front of the colored part of the eye, rather than just a red patch on the white surface.
- Changes in the eye's appearance or movement: An unusually shaped pupil, an eye that appears to bulge, or difficulty moving or opening the eye.
- A potentially serious injury: A sharp object entering the eye, a high-speed object striking it, a suspected puncture, or exposure to a harmful chemical.
These signs are examples of problems that need urgent evaluation, not a checklist for determining how badly an eye is injured. Some injuries are difficult to judge by appearance alone. If the eye has been struck and you develop a new pressure sensation or continuing discomfort, seek same-day medical advice even if you can still see normally.
Why can eye pressure increase after an injury?
One important possibility is a hyphema, as explained by Cleveland Clinic. A hyphema occurs when blood collects in the front chamber of the eye, between the clear cornea and the colored iris. It can happen after a blow to the eye, including an injury during sports or an accident.
Blood inside this chamber can interfere with the normal drainage of fluid and cause pressure to rise. A large amount of blood may be visible, but a small amount might only be detected during an eye examination. Elevated pressure following this type of injury can damage vision if it is not identified and managed appropriately.
Other injuries can damage the eye's surface, internal tissues, or surrounding structures. A scratch may cause sharp discomfort, while deeper trauma can affect structures involved in vision. The type of sensation you experience alone cannot reliably distinguish between these possibilities.
What should you do immediately after an eye injury?
Until you receive medical guidance, protect the injured eye and avoid actions that could worsen the damage. MedlinePlus guidance on eye emergencies advises against rubbing or pressing an injured eye and emphasizes getting immediate help for penetrating injuries and other serious warning signs.
- Do not rub, squeeze, or press the eye. Avoid trying to release the pressure by massaging the eyelid or eyeball.
- Do not try to remove an embedded object. Leave it in place and seek emergency care. Do not apply a tight patch or pressure over the injured eye.
- Avoid unprescribed eye drops. Do not use leftover prescription drops or attempt to lower eye pressure yourself.
- Arrange safe transport. Ask someone else to take you for urgent care, especially if your vision is affected, you feel dizzy, or you have significant pain.
- Flush chemical splashes immediately. If a chemical has entered the eye, rinse continuously with clean, gently flowing water for at least 20 minutes while arranging emergency medical care. Do not delay rinsing while looking for a special eye-washing solution.
If you suspect the eyeball has been punctured, avoid touching it and seek emergency assistance immediately. A rigid protective shield may be placed over the eye without pressing on the eyeball, but do not delay getting medical care to find one.
How do doctors check eye pressure after an injury?
An eye specialist will ask what happened, when the symptoms started, whether they have changed, and whether you have experienced vision problems or other symptoms. According to Cleveland Clinic's guidance on eye injuries, an assessment may include checking vision, examining the pupils and eye movements, looking for wounds or bleeding, and using special equipment to inspect the eye's internal structures. Imaging may be needed for certain injuries.
When it is safe to do so, the clinician may measure intraocular pressure using an instrument called a tonometer. A suspected penetrating injury requires particular care, because pressing on the eye or performing an inappropriate examination could cause further harm. The clinician will choose examination methods based on the nature of the injury.
Results help determine whether further observation, medication, specialist treatment, or additional tests are needed. If blood has collected inside the eye, repeated pressure checks may be necessary because the pressure can change during recovery.
Can eye pressure problems appear later?
Yes. Some complications do not become obvious immediately after an injury. The MSD Manual's guidance on hyphema explains that bleeding can recur over several days and that blood inside the eye can lead to increased pressure and vision problems.
This is one reason follow-up appointments matter after an eye injury involving internal bleeding or another significant problem. Even if pain improves or the eye looks better, attend the examinations recommended by your treating clinician. Seek emergency care again if you develop new or worsening pain, blurred vision, nausea or vomiting, or any sudden change in sight.
A child may not be able to describe eye pressure or recognize a change in vision. If a child has been struck in the eye and develops pain, unusual sensitivity to light, difficulty keeping the eye open, or behavior suggesting trouble seeing, arrange prompt medical assessment. Do not rely on the child being able to explain the symptoms clearly.
Can you tell whether eye pressure is high from symptoms alone?
No. Pressure, aching, and headache can occur with different injuries, while the extent of damage is not always obvious from the outside. Symptoms can help clinicians decide how urgently to assess the eye, but they cannot provide an actual pressure reading. A professional examination, including pressure measurement when safe, is needed to assess the situation accurately.
What is the safest next step?
New eye pressure or continuing discomfort after an injury deserves prompt attention, particularly after a direct blow. Seek emergency care immediately if your vision changes, pain is severe or worsening, blood is visible inside the eye, you develop nausea or vomiting with eye pain, or a sharp or fast-moving object has struck the eye. Do not rub or press the eye while arranging care.