What should you know about an inner eye that is red and irritated?

Redness at the inner corner can occur when the thin surface covering the eye becomes inflamed. Allergic conjunctivitis often presents with itching, clear watering, and a link to pollen, dust, pets, or another trigger. Conjunctivitis may bring a gritty feeling, sticky discharge, or redness that moves from one eye to the other. Dry air, screens, smoke, cosmetics, and rubbing can irritate the surface without infection. A red, painful eye with blurred vision or strong light sensitivity needs a different level of assessment because the deeper eye structures may be involved.

Wash your hands and avoid rubbing the eye. Use a cool, clean compress for itching or a warm compress for dried discharge. Rinse away a likely irritant with clean water, but seek urgent advice after a chemical splash rather than waiting for symptoms to settle. Stop contact lenses and eye makeup until the eye is comfortable and clear. Do not share towels or use leftover prescription drops; the wrong drop can delay appropriate care. Note whether symptoms follow a particular environment or product.

Get urgent care for severe pain, a change in vision, intense light sensitivity, an eye injury, chemical exposure, or swelling that makes the eye difficult to open. Contact-lens wearers with a painful or very red eye need prompt assessment. Arrange a routine review if discharge is persistent, redness keeps returning, or the irritation is not improving after avoiding triggers and using gentle care.

Ask whether the pattern fits allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis, dryness, or another cause, and whether the cornea needs examination. Mention contact-lens use, discharge colour, pain, vision, light sensitivity, recent illness, and any new cosmetic or cleaning product.