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Red eye, eye infection, dry eye and cornea care in Vasco

The front of the eye takes the full force of Goa's weather: monsoon germs, strong sun, salt wind off the sea, dust on the roads, and long hours in air-conditioned rooms and in front of screens. Most red, itchy, watery or gritty eyes are not serious and settle with simple care. A few need treatment the same day to protect sight. This page explains the conditions treated at ReNew Vision, how to tell which ones are urgent, and what happens when you come in.

Two parts of the eye come up again and again on this page. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye. The conjunctiva is the thin, see-through skin that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. Most of the problems below affect one or both of them; uveitis affects a layer inside the eye.

Is my red eye an emergency?

Come in the same day, or straight away at night, if a red eye comes with any of these:

• pain in the eye, more than mild irritation
• blurred vision that does not clear when you blink
• strong discomfort in bright light
• a white or grey spot on the clear front of the eye
• redness in a contact lens wearer (take the lenses out and keep them)
• an injury, a chemical splash, or something stuck in the eye
• headache with nausea or vomiting, or rainbow rings around lights
• red or sticky eyes in a newborn baby

These can be signs of a corneal ulcer, uveitis, a sudden rise in eye pressure or an injury. Emergency eye care at ReNew Vision is available 24 hours, every day. For first aid, see 24-hour emergency eye care. A red eye that is only mildly irritated, with normal vision, can usually be seen in the Eye OPD, Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm.

Guides to red eye, dry eye and cornea problems

Eye flu (conjunctivitis) and eye infections

Eye flu (dole yene in Marathi, aankh aana in Hindi) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Most eye flu is caused by a virus and spreads easily through hands, towels and pillows, especially in the monsoon, when classrooms and buses are crowded and the air is humid. Some is caused by bacteria, and some by allergy, which does not spread. Most viral eye flu clears on its own in one to two weeks, but it should be checked if the eye hurts, vision blurs, or it is not getting better.

The eye doctor examines the eye under magnification to tell eye flu apart from more serious causes of a red eye, and advises drops only when they will help. Antibiotic drops do not shorten viral eye flu, and drops that contain steroids can make some eye infections much worse if they are used without an eye examination, so do not buy drops on your own. Infections of the eyelids, the tear sac and the cornea are treated here too.

Dry eye and screen strain

Dry eye means the tears do not keep the surface of the eye properly wet. It feels like burning, grittiness or tiredness and, oddly, it can make the eyes water. Air-conditioning, fans, long screen hours, wind on a scooter, age and some medicines all play a part. Dry eye is usually a long-term condition that is controlled rather than cleared for good. Screen strain (computer vision syndrome) overlaps with it: tired, sore eyes and blurring after long hours on a computer or phone, often made worse by an out-of-date spectacle power.

At ReNew Vision, dry eye and screen strain are assessed with a close look at the surface of the eye, the eyelids and the tears, together with a spectacle power check, and treated step by step.

Eye allergy

Itching is the hallmark of eye allergy. Both eyes are usually affected, often with watering, stringy mucus and puffy lids, and sometimes with sneezing. In Goa, road dust, pollen, mould in the damp monsoon months, house dust and pets are common triggers. Some children, more often boys, get a long-lasting form called spring catarrh (vernal keratoconjunctivitis) that needs regular follow-up, because constant rubbing can harm the cornea. Eye allergy is treated with cool compresses, avoiding triggers where possible, and anti-allergy drops chosen by the eye doctor.

Corneal ulcer

A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea, usually from an infection with bacteria, a fungus, a virus or, in contact lens wearers, an amoeba called Acanthamoeba. It causes pain, redness, watering, blurred vision and sensitivity to light, and sometimes a visible white spot. In farming and gardening families, a small scratch from a leaf, a paddy stalk, a coconut frond or a twig can lead to a fungal ulcer. A corneal ulcer can damage sight within days, so it is treated urgently. Treatment at ReNew Vision includes a close examination of the cornea, intensive medicated drops and frequent check-ups; sometimes a tiny sample is taken from the ulcer to identify the germ. Contact lens wearers can lower their risk by following the rules on our contact lens page.

Something in the eye, and eye injuries

Dust, sand, insects, flecks of metal from grinding and splinters of wood or glass are removed at ReNew Vision, and scratches on the cornea are treated. Do not rub the eye. If something hit the eye at speed, from hammering, grinding or a firecracker, come in even if the eye feels better, because a tiny fragment can enter the eye and cause little discomfort at first. Emergency eye care is available 24 hours.

Pterygium surgery

A pterygium is a fleshy, wing-shaped growth that spreads from the white of the eye onto the cornea, usually on the side nearest the nose. It is common in sunny coastal places like Goa. Sun, wind, dust and salt spray are all thought to play a part, which is why fishermen, port and construction workers and daily scooter riders often have one. A small pterygium may only need lubricating drops and protection from the sun; good sunglasses for Goa's sun help. If it grows towards the centre of the cornea, affects vision, or stays red and irritable, it can be removed. Pterygium surgery is done at ReNew Vision.

Stye and chalazion

A stye (ranjanwadi in Marathi) is a sore, red lump at the edge of the eyelid, caused by an infected lash root or oil gland. A chalazion is a firmer lump further back in the lid, from a blocked oil gland, and it often does not hurt. Both usually settle with warm compresses and gentle cleaning of the lid edge; do not squeeze them. A chalazion that does not settle over some weeks can be drained in a small procedure under local anaesthesia. A lump that keeps coming back in the same place, or bleeds, should be examined.

Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)

The uvea is the middle layer of the eye, and includes the iris, the coloured part. When it becomes inflamed, the eye usually turns red around the edge of the cornea, aches, becomes very sensitive to light and may blur. Uveitis can be linked with conditions elsewhere in the body, such as some forms of arthritis, tuberculosis and other infections, but often no cause is found. It needs prompt treatment and regular check-ups, because untreated or repeated uveitis can raise eye pressure and cause cataract. Uveitis care at ReNew Vision covers diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, together with your physician when a cause elsewhere in the body needs looking into.

What happens when I come in?

The eye doctor asks about your symptoms and how long you have had them, your work, contact lens wear, and any drops or medicines you use, and checks the vision in each eye. The front of the eye is examined under a microscope called a slit lamp, often with a drop of harmless yellow dye that shows up scratches and dry patches. Eye pressure may be checked. For some problems, drops are put in to widen the pupil so that the inside of the eye can be seen; these blur vision for a few hours, so do not drive yourself home after them. You then hear what the problem is, what treatment is advised and when to come back.

Please bring any eye drops you have been using, your spectacles, and your contact lenses and their case if you wear them. If you think you have eye flu, tell the staff when you arrive and keep your hands away from your face, so that it does not spread to others in the waiting area.

What should I not put in a red eye?

• Old, leftover or borrowed eye drops, or drops bought over the counter without an eye examination, especially drops that contain steroids.
• Home remedies such as breast milk, rose water, honey, ghee, onion juice or kajal. They do not treat infection and can carry germs into the eye.
• Drops meant for the ears or the nose.

Clean, cool water and a clean cloth for the eyelids are safe. Everything else should wait for the eye doctor's advice.

What is not done here?

Keratoconus treatment, including corneal cross-linking, and cornea transplant surgery are not done at ReNew Vision. If your eyes need them, the eye doctor explains why and refers you. Everything else on this page is done here.

Coming in

ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is on the 2nd floor of the Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama. The Eye OPD is open Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, and emergency eye care is available 24 hours, every day. Call or WhatsApp 072489 88039. For directions, see how to reach us, and for a routine check of your eyes, see the complete eye check-up.

Questions patients ask

Where can I get eye flu treated in Vasco?

At ReNew Vision Eye Hospital, 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem, Vasco. The Eye OPD is open Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. A red eye with pain, blurred vision or an injury can be seen at any hour, because emergency eye care is available 24 hours.

Can I buy eye drops from the chemist for a red eye?

It is safer not to. A red eye has many causes, and the wrong drops can delay the right treatment. Drops that contain steroids can make some infections much worse and raise eye pressure. Lubricating drops are unlikely to harm, but see an eye doctor if the eye hurts, vision blurs or it is not better in a few days.

Is pterygium surgery done at ReNew Vision?

Yes. Pterygium surgery is done at ReNew Vision Eye Hospital in Vasco. The eye doctor first examines the eye and advises whether surgery is needed now, or whether drops, sun protection and regular checks are enough for the time being.

Can a red eye be seen on a Sunday?

Yes, if it is urgent. The Eye OPD is closed on Sunday, but emergency eye care at ReNew Vision is available 24 hours, every day. If a red eye is painful, blurs your vision or follows an injury, call 072489 88039 and come in.

Is cornea transplant done at ReNew Vision?

No. Cornea transplant surgery and keratoconus treatment are not done here. Corneal ulcers, eye infections, dry eye, allergy, uveitis, eye injuries and pterygium are treated here, and if you need a transplant, the eye doctor explains why and refers you.

How do I know if itchy eyes are an allergy or an infection?

Itching in both eyes, with watering and stringy mucus, points to allergy, especially with sneezing or after dust. Gritty, sticky eyes with yellow discharge, or a red, watery eye after a cold, point to infection. The eye doctor can tell for certain after examining the eye.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.