Quick read
Key points
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Red eye refers to redness of the white part of the eye (sclera), caused by dilated or irritated blood vessels. It's a common symptom with many possible causes, ranging from minor irritation and dryness to infections like conjunctivitis, or less commonly, more serious eye conditions.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Redness is accompanied by pain, particularly if it's severe or worsening
01 · Know
What is Red eye?
Red eye refers to redness of the white part of the eye (sclera), caused by dilated or irritated blood vessels. It's a common symptom with many possible causes, ranging from minor irritation and dryness to infections like conjunctivitis, or less commonly, more serious eye conditions.
Alongside redness, symptoms can include itching, discharge, watering, or a gritty sensation. The pattern of symptoms and how quickly they developed often helps identify the underlying cause.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See your GP or pharmacist if red eye persists beyond a few days, or an optometrist or eye casualty unit if there's pain or vision changes.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1Redness is accompanied by pain, particularly if it's severe or worsening
- 2You experience any change in vision alongside red eye
- 3You have significant sensitivity to light
- 4Redness follows an eye injury or exposure to a chemical
- 5Symptoms don't improve within a few days of self-care, or a baby has red, sticky eyes
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Avoid touching or rubbing the eye.This reduces irritation and the risk of spreading infection if present.
- 2Use lubricating eye drops.Over-the-counter artificial tears can ease irritation from dryness or mild irritation.
- 3Clean any discharge gently.Use clean, cooled boiled water and a fresh cotton pad for each wipe, moving from the inner to outer corner of the eye.
- 4Avoid wearing contact lenses until symptoms clear.Lenses can worsen irritation or spread infection while the eye is inflamed.
- 5Wash hands frequently.This helps prevent spreading infectious causes of red eye, such as conjunctivitis, to others.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Red eye ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Most red eye is caused by minor irritation or infection and settles with simple self-care within a few days.
Red eye accompanied by pain, vision changes, or significant light sensitivity always needs prompt medical assessment.