OcufuseA red eye: when you can watch it and when to see a doctor
Many red eyes are minor, but some need care the same day. The signs that separate the two, and what to note while you wait for an appointment.
Red eyes are very common. Tiredness, rubbing, dry air, allergies and minor irritation can all make the white of the eye look pink or bloodshot. Some red eyes, though, need to be seen quickly. The difference usually lies in the symptoms that come with the redness, not in how red it looks.
- Eye pain, rather than mild irritation
- Blurred vision that doesn't clear when you blink
- Strong sensitivity to light
- Contact lens wear, especially if the eye is painful
- A recent injury, or something hitting or entering the eye
- Headache, nausea, or haloes around lights
A bright red patch without pain
A sharply outlined red patch on the white of the eye, with no pain and normal vision, is often a small burst blood vessel. It can look alarming and usually fades over one to two weeks. Ask your doctor about it if it happens again, if you take blood thinners, if it followed an injury, or if it comes with pain or vision changes.
While you wait for a routine appointment
- Take a photo each day in the same light, so you can show how it changed
- Note when it started, which eye, and any discharge, itching or crusting
- Stop wearing contact lenses until you have been seen
- Avoid rubbing the eye, and wash your hands before touching it
Ocufuse keeps your daily photos and notes together with a time stamp. Our guide to consistent eye photos explains how to make photos comparable, and why photos vary covers changes that come from the camera, not your eyes.