What should you know about red eye not pink eye?

The surface blood vessels may widen because of dryness, irritation, an allergy, a minor foreign body, or inflammation. Conjunctivitis can cause redness with watering, itching, or eye discharge, but a red eye may also involve the cornea or deeper eye structures. A small burst vessel can look dramatic while causing little discomfort. Contact lens wear, recent eye injury, chemical exposure, and new eye medicines change the level of concern.

Notice whether one or both eyes are affected and whether symptoms began suddenly. Severe pain, reduced vision, marked light sensitivity, or a feeling that something is stuck deserve more attention than redness alone.

Do not rub the eye. Wash your hands, remove contact lenses, and avoid sharing towels, cosmetics, or eye drops. If dust is suspected, rinse gently with clean water; do not try to remove an embedded object. A cool clean compress may ease irritation. Avoid using leftover antibiotic drops or redness-relieving drops without advice, because the treatment depends on the cause. Arrange a GP Consultation if the redness persists, recurs, or is accompanied by discharge.

Seek same-day eye care for significant pain, blurred or reduced vision, strong light sensitivity, injury, chemical exposure, a protruding eye, or redness in a contact-lens wearer. Rinse chemical exposure continuously with clean water while arranging urgent help. Emergency assessment is needed when symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, or when headache, nausea, or halos around lights occur.

Ask what part of the eye appears inflamed, whether you should stop contact lenses, which warning signs require urgent review, and whether discharge needs testing or specific treatment.