Does conjunctivitis cause red eye?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin surface covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelids. It can make small blood vessels more visible, giving the eye a pink or red appearance. Watery discharge, sticky discharge, itching, burning, or a gritty feeling may occur as well. Viral, bacterial, and allergic forms can look different, and redness alone cannot identify the cause.

One eye may become affected first, with the other eye becoming irritated later. Avoid sharing towels, pillows, eye makeup, or contact-lens equipment while an infectious cause is possible, because some forms spread through hand and surface contact.

Wash your hands before and after touching the eye, gently clean discharge with clean water, and use a cool clean compress for irritation. Stop wearing contact lenses until the eye has recovered and a clinician says they are suitable to use again. Do not use someone else’s eye drops, and do not put leftover antibiotic drops into the eye without advice; treatment depends on the cause.

Seek urgent medical care for red eye with significant pain, reduced or blurred vision, marked sensitivity to light, an injury, chemical exposure, or a visible object in the eye. Contact a clinician promptly if you wear contact lenses and develop redness or pain, or if symptoms are worsening rather than settling. A baby with a red or sticky eye should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Ask whether the pattern fits allergic, viral, or bacterial conjunctivitis; whether you should pause contact lenses; and which drops or cleaning method is appropriate. Tell the clinician when the redness began, whether one or both eyes are affected, what the discharge looks like, and whether you have pain or vision changes.