A red eye in a parent: pink eye, allergy, a burst blood vessel, or a problem that needs a doctor today
A parent has one red eye. Here is how pink eye, allergy, dry eye and a burst blood vessel usually look and feel, what the sources say about spreading and going to work, and the signs that mean seeing a doctor today.
See a doctor today if a red eye comes with…
I see parents and grandparents for squint, cataract and everyday eye problems, so one family can keep one eye doctor. Family eye care Where I practise
- Common causes of a red eye are viral or bacterial pink eye, allergy, dry eye and a burst blood vessel (NHS, American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Viral pink eye gives burning and watery discharge, bacterial gives sticky pus, allergy gives itching, and a burst vessel is usually a painless bright red patch.
- Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily and allergic does not. On work, the AAO and NHS advise differently, so the doctor's advice and the job decide.
- Pink eye usually clears by itself in 1 to 2 weeks. Antibiotics only help bacterial infection, and the doctor decides on drops.
- Red flags for same-day care: real pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision that does not clear, contact lens wear, a chemical or injury, or a painful red eye with headache or vomiting.
A parent rings and says one eye is red. It could be pink eye caught from a grandchild, an allergy, a dry eye after a long day, or a bright red patch from a burst blood vessel. Very occasionally it is something that needs a doctor today. This page sorts them by how they usually look and feel, says what the sources say about spreading and going to work, and lists the signs that mean not waiting.
What are the common causes of a red eye?
The main ones are infection, allergy, dryness and a burst blood vessel. The NHS says a red eye is often caused by an infection or dry eyes, but there are lots of possible causes. Conjunctivitis, often called pink eye, is inflammation of the thin clear layer over the white of the eye. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) lists three causes: viral, bacterial and allergic.
What do viral and bacterial pink eye look and feel like?
Viral usually gives burning, red eyes with a watery discharge, and bacterial gives sore, red eyes with a lot of sticky pus. These are the AAO's descriptions. The NHS adds that the eyes may feel gritty and the pus can stick the lashes together.
Both usually clear by themselves: the AAO says conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own within 1 to 2 weeks, and the NHS says it usually gets better in a couple of weeks. The NHS says antibiotics are prescribed only for bacterial infections and do not work for viral or allergic causes. Whether drops are needed is the doctor's decision. Pink eye in children has its own page: pink eye in children.
Is it contagious, and can a parent go to work?
Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily; allergic does not. The AAO says bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are easily spread from person to person, especially in close contact, and that allergic conjunctivitis cannot spread. For work, the sources differ a little.
The AAO says that with bacterial or viral pink eye a person should stay home and avoid contact with other people, and not return to school or work until the eyes are no longer red with discharge. The NHS says staying away from work or school is not needed unless the person feels very unwell. Where the two differ, the doctor's advice and the nature of the job, especially work around other people, decide.
The NHS hygiene advice: wash hands regularly with warm soapy water, wash pillowcases and face cloths in hot water, do not share towels and pillows, and avoid rubbing the eyes. The CDC also says to follow good hygiene to prevent spread.
What do allergy and dry eye look and feel like?
Allergy is itchy; dry eye is gritty. The AAO says allergic conjunctivitis makes the eyes very itchy, red and watery, it is not contagious, and a person can keep going to school, work or the gym. For dry eye the AAO lists stinging and burning, a scratchy or gritty feeling, strands of mucus, redness, blurred vision when reading, and sometimes watering, because irritated eyes produce more tears. The page dry, gritty eyes in parents and grandparents covers what helps and what to check.
What is a burst blood vessel in the eye?
It is a bright red patch on the white of the eye, usually with no pain, and has its own page: a burst blood vessel in the eye. The AAO calls it a subconjunctival haemorrhage and says usually the only symptom is a red spot, with at most mild irritation. Coughing, sneezing, straining or an eye injury can set it off, and less often diabetes, high blood pressure or blood-thinning medicines.
It clears by itself over a few days to a few weeks, depending on its size. The AAO says that if they happen often the ophthalmologist will talk about further tests. A red patch after a knock to the eye, or with pain or changed vision, is a different matter and falls under the list below.
Which signs mean seeing a doctor today?
Go the same day if the red eye comes with real pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision that does not clear, contact lens wear, a chemical splash or an injury, or a painful red eye with headache or vomiting. These come from the sources: the AAO says to contact an ophthalmologist immediately for moderate to severe eye pain, blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, intense redness, or symptoms that get worse instead of improving.
The NHS lists pain, sensitivity to light and changes in vision as reasons for urgent help, and for wearers of contact lenses it advises getting an urgent appointment because of the risk of infection. It lists light sensitivity or severe headache with nausea, an eye injury or something stuck in the eye, and chemical exposure as reasons for A&E.
The action: do not rub the eye, and leave contact lenses out until a doctor has looked (the NHS advises avoiding lenses until the eye improves). After a chemical splash or an injury, go to a hospital, and take the bottle or its name. Also, a baby under 30 days old with red, sticky eyes needs a doctor straight away (NHS).
What can the family do now?
Ask the parent two questions. Is it painful or is vision affected? Do they wear contact lenses? If either answer is yes, or it is not getting better after a week (the NHS suggests seeing a GP if symptoms have not cleared after 7 days), arrange an eye check. For who in the household needs which eye check, see eye checks for the whole family.
- Moderate to severe eye pain, or a painful red eye with headache, nausea or vomiting.
- Sensitivity to light, or blurred vision that does not clear, or wavy lines or flashing.
- Contact lens wear (leave the lenses out until a doctor has looked).
- A chemical splash, an injury, or something stuck in the eye.
- Redness that is intense or getting worse, or a baby under 30 days old with a red, sticky eye.
Common questions
How can I tell pink eye from an allergy?
Is pink eye contagious?
Can my parent go to work with pink eye?
How long does pink eye last?
Is a burst blood vessel in the eye dangerous?
Should a contact lens wearer with a red eye see a doctor?
Which red eye is an emergency?
- American Academy of Ophthalmology · Pink eye (conjunctivitis) · www.aao.org
- American Academy of Ophthalmology · Subconjunctival hemorrhage · www.aao.org
- American Academy of Ophthalmology · What is dry eye? · www.aao.org
- NHS · Conjunctivitis · www.nhs.uk
- NHS · Red eye · www.nhs.uk
- CDC · About conjunctivitis (pink eye) · www.cdc.gov