Eye Irritation and Infection

Introduction
Eyes can become red from many different causes, allergies or infections. This is called conjunctivitis.

Symptoms
The inside of the eyelid is red, and the redness often spreads onto the whites of the eyes. Infections are due to either viruses or skin bacteria. Red and/or itchy eyes can also be caused by an allergy to things such as pollen (from grass, plants and trees), hay fever and increasingly-air pollution. Eyes also redden if something gets into the eye. Looking at a welding arc or ultraviolet light without protecting the eyes is dangerous (arc eye). Red and painful eyes can also be caused by an eye infection deep inside the eye.

Treatment: What you can do for yourself
For any eye infections or soreness
Cleanse the eyes with water that has been boiled and cooled with a pinch of salt added. Often the eyelashes become stuck together, soak away the crusts using moist cotton wool. It is quite safe to cleanse the inside of the lower eyelid. Pull the eyelid down slightly and wipe the cotton wool from the side towards the nose.

Contact your doctor immediately if:

• The eye is so red that the eye white is no longer visible