Red, Sore Eyes — Infection, allergy, or something else

At Eyecare Center of Orange County, Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has cared for patients for more than three decades. Trained at Bascom Palmer, board certified, and trusted by more than ten thousand Orange County patients since nineteen ninety one.

A red eye is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Infection, allergy, dryness and inflammation deep inside the eye can all look much the same from outside.

What comes out of the eye tells us a great deal. Watery and itchy points to allergy. Thick and sticky points to bacteria. Both eyes at once often means a virus.

Genuine pain, blurred vision or a strong dislike of light suggests something deeper than the surface, and that needs to be looked at quickly.

Most viral pink eye is not helped by antibiotic drops, because drops do nothing to a virus. Comfort and careful hygiene matter more, and it settles by itself.

If a red eye is not settling within a few days, come in. Sooner if there is real pain or your vision changes.