Red Eye

Red, irritated eyes aren’t always just “pink eye.” From infections to inflammation or allergies, the correct diagnosis is key to proper treatment—and family doctors often don’t have the specialized tools to tell the difference.

Book an Emergency Eye Exam

At Solar Eye Care, our optometrists are fully equipped to identify the cause and provide targeted treatment—whether it’s prescription drops, oral medications, or urgent hospital referral.

Red Eye Treatments

Common Causes of Red/Pink Eyes & Their Treatments

Bacterial Conjunctivitis Symptoms
Thick yellow/green discharge, lid crusting, red eye
Treatment: antibiotic drops
Severe cases: may need hospital referral if vision is threatened

Viral Conjunctivitis Symptoms
Watery discharge, gritty feeling, often both eyes
Treatment: supportive care, steroid drops for inflammation, antiviral pills in certain cases

Dry Eye Symptoms
Burning, tearing, redness, fluctuating vision
Treatment: artificial tears, hot compresses, Omega 3s, Rx drops like cyclosporine or steroids

Eye Allergy Symptoms
Itchy, watery, red eyes often seasonal or environmental
Treatment: antihistamine or steroid drops, cyclosporine for long-term control

Iritis / Uveitis Symptom
Painful red eye, light sensitivity, blurred vision
Treatment: steroid and cycloplegic drops
May require bloodwork to assess for autoimmune or infectious causes

Injury / Trauma Treatment
Varies by severity
Treatment: includes foreign body removal, antibiotic drops, hospital care for serious trauma

Pinguecula / Pterygium Symptoms
Yellowish or fleshy growths on white of the eye
Treatment: lubricants, steroid drops, or surgical referral if vision is affected

Our Comprehensive Red Eye Exam Includes:

Slit Lamp Microscopy at 25x Zoom
This high-powered microscope allows us to examine every layer of the eye in detail. Combined with special stains and filters, we can identify whether the issue is bacterial, viral, allergic, or traumatic etc.

Eye Pressure Testing
Infections or inflammation (like iritis) can increase eye pressure and put the optic nerve at risk. We check this to avoid complications like secondary glaucoma.

Pupil Dilation (if indicated)
Used in more severe or complex cases like uveitis or shingles, to assess the retina and rule out deeper inflammation.