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A red eye is usually nothing to worry about and often gets better on its own. But sometimes it can be serious and you'll need to get medical help.
Lots of different things can cause a red eye.
Your symptoms might give you an idea of what's causing it.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Bright red area in the white of your eye | Burst blood vessel |
| Gritty or burning feeling, sticky eyes | Conjunctivitis |
| Sore, blurry or watery eyes | Dry eyes |
| Itchy, sore or red eyelids | Blepharitis |
| Feels like there's something in your eye | Ingrowing eyelash |
| Swollen, drooping or twitching eyelid, or a lump on your eyelid | Eyelid problems |
If your eye does not hurt and your sight is not affected, it's probably nothing serious. It may get better on its own in a few days.
Until it has got better:
You can ask a pharmacist if:
If your GP cannot find what's causing your red eye, they may refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for tests.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
You have a red eye and:
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
