What should you know about eye and ear pain?

Ear pain may occur with a middle-ear infection, trapped earwax, a cold, sinusitis, or inflammation around the throat. A cold or sinus pressure can make the ear feel blocked or painful without an ear infection. Eye pain needs separate attention because surface irritation, injury, or inflammation can affect vision. Pain in both areas may also occur when infection or pressure affects connected passages, but one symptom does not diagnose the other.

Notice whether pain is inside the ear, behind it, around the eye, or on the skin. Record fever, discharge, reduced hearing, swelling, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or pain when moving the eye.

Rest, drink fluids, and avoid putting cotton buds, oil, or unprescribed drops into the ear. Keep water out of a painful ear. A cool clean cloth over a closed eye may soothe irritation; do not rub the eye or share towels. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on suitable pain relief after checking your health conditions and medicines. Antibiotic treatment is useful only for selected bacterial infections, and ear wax removal should be performed safely when wax is blocking the canal.

Seek urgent medical care for severe eye pain, sudden vision change, an eye injury or chemical splash, marked swelling around the eye, or pain with eye movement. Get prompt assessment for severe ear pain, fluid or blood from the ear, new hearing loss, dizziness, or swelling behind the ear. Arrange a clinical review when symptoms persist, worsen, or affect sleep, even without these warning signs.

Ask what examination is needed, whether the eye and ear symptoms share a cause, and which drops or pain medicines are safe for you. Ask how to protect your hearing and vision while symptoms settle.