Red or Painful Eye: Possible Causes and When to Seek Care
A red eye can be a tired eye — or an infection, inflammation or pressure problem. Pain, light sensitivity and vision change are the lines that separate the two.
Clear information to help you prepare for a conversation with an eye-care professional.
✳ Care explained with context
A clearer place to start
Understand the concern. Choose your next step.
Use this guide to learn what may be assessed and what questions to raise. It is educational information, not a diagnosis.
The guide
Red or Painful Eye: Causes, Home Care Limits & Urgent Signs
01
Common benign causes
Dust, dryness, screen strain and minor irritation commonly cause redness that settles with rest and lubrication.
02
Causes that need a doctor
Conjunctivitis, corneal infection (keratitis), uveitis (internal inflammation) and acute glaucoma all cause redness — but with different accompanying signs. Using over-the-counter steroid drops for a red eye is dangerous and can worsen infections.
03
Reading your symptoms
Mild redness without pain or vision change is usually low-risk. Pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision, or a halos-and-headache pattern moves the situation into urgent territory.
04
What the examination covers
Vision, pressure, slit-lamp evaluation of the cornea and internal inflammation check are standard. Fluorescein staining may be used to reveal corneal abrasions or infections.
!
Do not wait
Please seek urgent assessment if you have
Red eye with severe pain or light sensitivity
Red eye with reduced vision
Red eye with headache, nausea and halos
Chemical splash — rinse immediately and seek emergency care
These symptoms may need urgent care. Contact the hospital to check availability; if you cannot promptly reach an eye-care team, go to the nearest emergency service.
