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Warning-sign checks

Eye redness: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care now for:

    • Sudden loss or major reduction of vision
    • Chemical exposure to the eye
    • A penetrating injury or object stuck in the eye
    • Severe eye pain with headache, nausea, vomiting, or coloured halos
    • Serious trauma, especially with bleeding or an irregular-looking pupil

    Continue rinsing while arranging emergency help.

    Do not delay rinsing to search for a particular solution.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    After chemical exposure, start rinsing the eye immediately with plenty of clean, lukewarm water.

    Arrange a same-day urgent assessment if the redness comes with pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, a cloudy-looking eye, or a new difference in pupil size.

    You also need prompt assessment if you wear contact lenses and develop a red or painful eye.

    Contact lenses can increase the risk of a serious corneal infection.

    Fever, marked eyelid swelling, difficulty moving the eye, or the eye appearing pushed forward also needs urgent assessment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if redness does not begin improving within a few days, lasts longer than expected, keeps returning, or causes ongoing discharge or discomfort.

    A painless red patch can usually be monitored, but seek advice if it followed an injury, happens repeatedly, or you also have unusual bruising or bleeding.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Eye redness. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.