Eye burning - itching and discharge: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Get emergency help after a chemical splash or serious eye injury.
Emergency assessment is also appropriate for sudden major vision loss or severe eye pain with headache, nausea, or coloured rings around lights.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Immediately rinse the eye with plenty of clean, lukewarm water.
Remove contact lenses if they come out easily, and do not delay rinsing while seeking advice.
Arrange same-day medical or eye-care assessment for:
New reduction or distortion of vision
Moderate or severe eye pain
Strong sensitivity to light
A red, painful eye while wearing contact lenses
A suspected object stuck in the eye
Increasing swelling, fever, or pain when moving the eye
Recent eye surgery or an eye injury
A red or sticky eye in a newborn baby
And for anyone, someone who:
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Book a routine appointment if symptoms do not improve, keep returning, produce ongoing thick discharge, or interfere with daily activities.
The article also says
Contact-lens wearers have a higher risk of corneal infection.
Remove the lenses and do not reinsert them while the eye is red, painful, or producing discharge.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Eye burning - itching and discharge. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.