--- title: "Red eye | Eye Health Guide" description: "Common causes of a red or bloodshot eye, from conjunctivitis and dry eye to a burst blood vessel, and the warning signs that need urgent care." url: https://eyehealthguide.org/symptoms/red-eye/ source: Eye Health Guide licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer." --- Symptom # Red eye Painful red eye needs urgent care Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026 ### About this review This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded. [How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/) Quick answer A red eye is usually caused by something minor such as conjunctivitis, dry eye or a harmless burst blood vessel. However, a red eye with pain, light sensitivity, or changes in vision needs urgent assessment, as it can occasionally signal a more serious condition. ## When to get urgent help - A red eye with moderate or severe eye pain - Sensitivity to light or changes in your vision - A red eye after an injury or chemical splash - Intense redness with a headache, nausea or halos around lights ### On this page ⌄ 1. When to get urgent help 2. Common causes 3. Types of pink eye 4. What can help 5. Frequently asked questions ## Common causes Most red eyes are harmless. These are common causes, with the conditions to read about next. ## Types of pink eye ## What can help - Lubricating drops can ease redness from dryness or irritation - Gentle eyelid cleaning helps blepharitis and styes - See a clinician urgently if the eye is painful or vision changes ## Frequently asked questions ### When should I worry about a red eye? Seek urgent care if a red eye comes with pain, light sensitivity, changes in vision, or follows an injury or chemical splash, as these can signal a more serious problem. ### Is a red eye always conjunctivitis? No. Conjunctivitis is common, but red eyes can also come from dry eye, blepharitis, a harmless burst blood vessel, or more serious causes such as uveitis. ### How long does a red eye last? Minor causes often settle within one to two weeks. A red eye that is painful, affects vision, or does not improve should be assessed. ### Which pink eye type do I have? Itch in both eyes with hay fever suggests allergy. Thick pus and glued lids suggest bacterial. Watery redness after a cold suggests viral. Read the matching conjunctivitis page for full guidance. ### Is a bloodshot eye the same as pink eye? Pink eye usually means conjunctivitis, but bloodshot eyes can also be dry eye, a burst vessel, blepharitis or more serious inflammation — pain or vision change needs assessment. Your next step ## Take this to your appointment Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment. Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet. ## Trusted sources For general background, these organisations provide eye-health information. This list is further reading, not a record that they reviewed this article. - [NHS — Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/) - [Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust](https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/) - [American Academy of Ophthalmology — EyeHealth](https://www.aao.org/eye-health) - [National Eye Institute (NIH)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/) - [College of Optometrists — Look After Your Eyes](https://lookafteryoureyes.org/) - [World Health Organization — Eye care, vision impairment and blindness](https://www.who.int/health-topics/blindness-and-vision-loss)