Sore or itchy eyes are very common and are usually not serious. The most common causes are allergies such as hay fever, dry eyes, inflamed eyelids (blepharitis) and conjunctivitis. They often get better with simple self-care.
A pharmacist is a good first stop for advice and eye drops. See an optician or GP if your eyes do not improve, and get urgent help if you have eye pain, very red eyes or changes in your vision.
Common causes
| What you notice | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Itchy, red, watery eyes with sneezing or a runny nose | Allergy, such as hay fever (allergic conjunctivitis) |
| Sore, gritty, blurry or watery eyes, often worse with screens | Dry eyes |
| Itchy, sore or red eyelids with crusts around the lashes | Blepharitis |
| Red, gritty eyes with sticky pus on the lashes | Infective conjunctivitis |
| A painful lump on the eyelid | Stye |
Things that can help
The NHS suggests these simple steps for many common causes:
- Try not to rub your eyes, as this can make them more irritated
- Hold a cold flannel on closed eyes for a few minutes to soothe them
- Clean your eyelids gently with a warm flannel if they are crusty or sore
- Take breaks from screens and blink often if your eyes feel dry
- Leave contact lenses out until your eyes feel better, and wear glasses instead
- Avoid eye make-up while your eyes are sore
How a pharmacist can help
A pharmacist can suggest treatments such as lubricating eye drops for dry eyes, or antihistamine drops or tablets for allergies. They can also tell you if you need to see an optician or GP.
When to see an optician or GP
- Your symptoms have not improved after trying self-care for a few days
- You have red eyes with a sticky discharge
- You have problems with your eyelids or eyelashes that last more than a few days
- Your child is under 2 and has a red eye
When it is urgent
Ask for an urgent GP or optician appointment, or get help from NHS 111, if your eye is very painful and red, you are sensitive to light, you notice changes in your vision, or you have a red eye and wear contact lenses, as you could have an eye infection. Call 999 or go to A&E if something is stuck in your eye or a chemical has got into it.
