Latest update April 7th, 2026 12:30 AM
What you need to know about “red eye”
By Dr Zulfikar Bux
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
We are currently experiencing an outbreak of conjunctivitis which is better known in Guyana as
Dr Zulfikar Bux
“red eye”. Many are scared of it because it is very irritating; although it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of red eye. Because red eye can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread.
WHAT IS RED EYE?
Red eye is the everyday term people use to describe an infection or irritation of the eye. The medical term for red eye is “conjunctivitis.”
If you have red eye, your eye (or eyes) might:
- Turn pink or red
- Weep or ooze a gooey liquid
- Become itchy or burn
- Get stuck shut, especially when you first wake up
Red eye can be caused by an infection, allergies, or an unknown irritation.
CAN YOU CATCH RED EYE FROM SOMEONE ELSE?
Yes. When red eye is caused by an infection, it can spread easily. Usually, people catch it from touching something that has been in contact with an infected person’s eye. It can also be spread when an infected person touches someone else, and then that person touches his or her eyes.
If you know someone with red eye, avoid touching his or her pillowcases, towels, or other personal items. Contrary to popular beliefs, you cannot catch red eye by looking directly at the eyes of someone who has it.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE MY DOCTOR?
See your doctor if your eye hurts, or if you still have trouble seeing clearly after blinking. If you do not have these problems, but think you might have red eye, your doctor might be able to give you advice over the phone.
CAN RED EYE BE TREATED?
Most cases of red eye go away on their own without treatment. But some types of red eye can be treated.
When red eye is caused by infection, it is usually caused by a virus, so antibiotics generally do not help. Still, red eye caused by a virus can last several days and doctors often prescribe antibiotics to prevent opportunistic bacterial infections. Red eye caused by an infection with bacteria can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or gels. Red eye caused by other problems can be treated with eye drops normally used to treat allergies. These drops will not cure the red eye, but they can help with itchiness and irritation.
When using eye drops for infection, do not touch your good eye after touching your affected eye, and do not touch the bottle or dropper directly in one eye and then use it in the other. Doing these things can cause the infection to spread from one eye to the other.
WHAT IF I WEAR CONTACT LENSES?
If you wear contact lenses and you have symptoms of red eye, it is really important to have a doctor look at your eyes. In people who wear contacts, the symptoms of red eye can be caused by “corneal abrasion.” Corneal abrasion is a scratch on the eye and can be a serious problem. You should avoid using your contacts during this time.
During treatment for eye infections, you might need to stop wearing your contacts for a short time. If your contacts are disposable, you will want to throw them away and start fresh. If you contacts are not disposable, you will need to carefully clean them. You should also throw away your contact lens case and get a new one.
CAN RED EYE BE PREVENTED?
To keep from getting or spreading red eye, wash your hands often with soap and water. If washing is not possible, alcohol-based hand gels work, too. Also, avoid sharing towels, bedding, or other personal items with a person who has red eye.
If you do have red eye, try your best to avoid coming in contact with others until your condition has resolved. It may take about 3-5 days of isolation but you will be doing your part to help contain the red eye outbreak.
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
