What should you know about triple red eye?

Redness happens when small blood vessels on the eye surface become more visible or inflamed. One or both eyes may be affected. Gritty discomfort and discharge can occur with Conjunctivitis; itching, watering, and symptoms linked to exposure can occur with Allergic Conjunctivitis. Dryness, smoke, dust, contact lenses, a minor scratch, and a burst surface blood vessel are other possibilities. Redness alone cannot identify the cause. Severe pain, marked light sensitivity, or reduced vision points to a problem that should not be assessed only from appearance.

Do not rub the eye. Wash your hands, avoid sharing towels, and pause contact lenses until the eye has recovered and a clinician says they are suitable again. A clean cool compress may ease irritation. Avoid using someone else's drops, leftover antibiotics, or redness-relief drops without advice. If discharge is present, gently clean the eyelids with clean water and a fresh pad for each wipe. Arrange a review if redness persists, keeps returning, follows an injury, or affects a contact-lens wearer.

Seek urgent care for a red eye with new vision loss or blur, severe or deep pain, strong light sensitivity, an irregular-looking pupil, swelling around the eye, chemical exposure, a penetrating injury, or headache with nausea. Contact-lens wearers with pain, light sensitivity, or reduced vision need prompt assessment. Rinse a chemical exposure with clean running water while arranging emergency help, unless a local clinician gives different instructions. Do not delay because the redness seems mild.

Ask: Is the redness on the surface or deeper in the eye? Is this more consistent with allergy, infection, dryness, or injury? Should I use drops, and for how long? When can I wear contact lenses again? Which changes mean I need urgent review?