What should you know about light pink eyes?

A pale pink colour usually reflects widened or irritated small blood vessels on the eye surface. Triggers include smoke, dust, chlorine, dry air, long screen use, contact lenses and rubbing. It may occur with watering, itching, a gritty feeling or mild discharge. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes and may spread between people when infection is involved. Allergy more often brings itching and watering, while a sticky discharge can occur with infection. Read about [Conjunctivitis](/conditions/conjunctivitis/), [Eye Discharge](/symptoms/eye-discharge/) and [Light Sensitivity](/symptoms/light-sensitivity/) for related symptoms.

Avoid rubbing your eyes and wash your hands before and after touching your face. Pause contact lenses until the eye feels normal, and do not share towels, pillows or eye products. A cool clean compress may soothe itching or irritation; preservative-free lubricating drops can help dryness. Reduce exposure to smoke, dust and strong airflow. If a clinician identifies bacterial conjunctivitis, they may discuss [Antibiotic Treatment](/treatments/medical-management/antibiotic-treatment/); antibiotics do not help every cause.

Arrange a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) if the colour persists, keeps returning, discharge is increasing, or symptoms do not settle after removing an irritant. Seek urgent eye care for significant pain, blurred or reduced vision, strong light sensitivity, injury, chemical exposure, a very swollen eyelid, or an eye that becomes intensely red. Contact lens wearers should seek prompt advice for a painful or light-sensitive red eye because corneal problems need timely treatment.

Could this be allergy, dryness, irritation or conjunctivitis? Should I stop contact lenses, and which drops are suitable? What changes would mean I need an urgent eye review?