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When to see a doctor
By Mayo Clinic staffOccasional, brief periods of red eye are usually no cause for worry. But persistent red eye, especially when accompanied by eye pain or vision changes, can signal a more serious problem.
Seek immediate medical attention if red eye is accompanied by:
- Vision loss
- Severe headache, eye pain, nausea or unusual sensitivity to bright light
- Inability to open your eye or keep your eye open
- A sensation that there's something in your eye
For persistent red eye that doesn't clear up after several days, especially if you have a thick or nearly continuous pus or mucous discharge, contact your doctor for an appointment.
References
- Jacobs DS. Evaluation of the red eye. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Koby M. Conjunctivitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&uniq=210978719. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
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