What if red eye lasts a week?

A week of redness can follow conjunctivitis, an allergic flare, dry eye, smoke exposure, or irritation from contact lenses. It may affect one or both eyes, and the pattern matters: itching and watery eyes fit allergy more closely, while sticky discharge can occur with infection. A clinician may need to inspect the eyelids, surface of the eye, and vision to identify the cause.

Avoid rubbing the eye and pause contact lenses and eye makeup. Use clean hands and a cool clean compress for irritation, and gently remove crusting with clean water. Do not use steroid or antibiotic eye drops without medical advice. Keep a note of whether redness is spreading, whether discharge is present, and whether vision or comfort is changing.

Seek prompt assessment for persistent redness with pain, light sensitivity, blurred or reduced vision, pronounced swelling, or a foreign-body sensation. Contact-lens wearers should seek timely advice rather than waiting for symptoms to settle. Sudden vision loss, severe pain, chemical exposure, or an eye injury requires urgent care.

What is the likely source of the redness? Does the eye surface need testing? When can I safely resume lenses or makeup, and what should I do if the redness returns?