The Straits Times - What causes chronic red eyes and when to worry 

Have you ever looked in a mirror and seen a startling red blotch in the whites of one or both eyes? What causes red eyes and when should you be worried?

When sharing a condition called subconjunctival haemorrhage, a red patch in the white of the eye due to a blood vessel below the conjunctiva bursting, senior consultant ophthalmologist Jean Chai from Eagle Eye Centre says that it usually resolves on its own in a couple of weeks.

Patients may feel fine, or have some mild discomfort, which can be resolved using artificial tears.

“It looks alarming, but is benign and does not affect vision,” she says.

Furthermore, she added that she has seen some cases of viral conjunctivitis lead to redness for up to a year. 

In a discussion of when medical attention is necessary, senior consultant ophthalmologist Jay Siak of Eagle Eye Centre says people should seek medical help if their red eyes present alongside symptoms such as severe eye pain, blurred or reduced vision, sensitivity to light, headache or nausea.

They should also seek help if the redness does not improve over time, or worsens.

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