I have intermittant pain in my eye that feels similiar to a scratched cornea-no visual disturbance. what could this be a symptom of?

It could be..serious: Actual eye, medically speaking, is an urgent problem. It may be a small foreign object, an ingrown or loose eyelash/hair, a scratched cornea or corneal abrasion. Intermittent pain is a bit more unusual; close angle glaucoma is an emergency problem, a problem with the retina, like retinal detachment often causes visual changes, but may not depending on location. Emergency or eye doc: today.

See an eye doctor: It could be dry eye, a scratched cornea, a foriegn body in the eye, or possibly an infection. If you've had a scratched cornea in that same eye before, sometimes the area of old injury can intermittantly open back up to give a similar foreign body sensation.

Likely dry eye: Your most likely experiencing dry eye or blepharitis both of which are common and cause intermittent discomfort. Angle closure or a retinal detachment would be extremely unlikely based on your symptoms. The fact that your vision is unaffected is very reassuring and this does not sound like an emergency, however if your eye continues to bother you, you should see your ophthalmologist.