Specialty Eye Care
Red Eye and Eye Infections
A red eye can be allergy, viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, dry eye, a corneal abrasion, or a sight threatening corneal infection. They look similar and need entirely different treatment, which is why examination matters.
In short
Red eyes look alike and are not alike. Contact lens wearers should be seen promptly.
Red eye is one of the most common reasons people seek urgent eye care and one of the least reliable symptoms for self diagnosis. The visible redness is simply blood vessel dilation, which happens in response to almost any irritation or inflammation, so it says very little about the cause.
Optometrists here diagnose and treat eye infections and prescribe the appropriate medication. That matters because the treatments diverge sharply. Bacterial conjunctivitis needs antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis does not and will not respond to them. Allergic conjunctivitis needs neither. A corneal ulcer needs urgent intensive treatment and can threaten sight within days.
One group should always be seen rather than waiting: contact lens wearers. A red painful eye in a lens wearer is treated as a corneal infection until proven otherwise, because the consequences of being wrong in that direction are severe.
What to expect
- Slit lamp examination
- Magnified examination of the cornea, conjunctiva and lids distinguishes causes that look identical to the naked eye.
- Staining assessment
- Diagnostic dye reveals corneal abrasions, ulcers and surface damage invisible under white light.
- Treatment the same day
- Where medication is indicated it is prescribed at the visit rather than requiring another appointment elsewhere.
What this does not do
- Some conditions need referral to an ophthalmologist, and that referral is arranged promptly where it is warranted.
- Viral conjunctivitis is self limiting and takes one to three weeks. Comfort is manageable, the timeline largely is not.
Questions and answers
When is a red eye an emergency?
Significant pain, marked light sensitivity, sudden vision loss, a red eye in a contact lens wearer, chemical splash, or any penetrating injury. Call the office immediately in any of those cases rather than waiting to see whether it settles.
Is pink eye contagious?
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis both are, and viral is highly so. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious at all. Rigorous hand washing and not sharing towels matter enormously with the infectious forms.
Can I just use over the counter drops?
Redness relieving drops constrict blood vessels and mask the appearance without treating anything, and prolonged use causes rebound redness. If a red eye persists beyond a day or two, or comes with pain or vision change, it needs examining.
I wear contact lenses and my eye is red. What should I do?
Remove the lenses immediately, keep them in case they are needed for culture, and contact the office promptly. Do not put them back in. Contact lens related corneal infections progress quickly and early treatment determines the outcome.
Talk to someone about red eye and eye infections
Appointments are scheduled two per hour, so there is time to answer questions properly. Call (480) 706-3937 or request a time online.