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(May 20, 2026) Burning, itching, sticky eyelids, or a stye—often harmless, but sometimes not. Which symptoms you should take seriously and when it’s a good idea to see a doctor.

A red eye after a long day in front of a screen, sticky eyelids in the morning, or an unpleasant burning sensation—these often seem harmless at first. But red eyes aren’t always just a sign of temporary irritation. Sometimes the cause is an inflammation that needs to be treated. In rare cases, the symptoms may even indicate an ophthalmic emergency.

At a Glance: Initial Guidance for Red Eyes

“Many patients come in too late because they underestimate the symptoms,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Reinhard, Medical Director of the Eye Center at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. “Yet there are clear signs indicating when an eye infection is harmless—and when it requires urgent treatment.”

If you know the typical symptoms, you can respond correctly more quickly—and avoid unnecessary risks.

If the eye burns, itches, or feels sticky

One of the most common causes of red eyes is conjunctivitis. It can manifest in a variety of ways: itching, burning, watery eyes, a feeling of a foreign body, or sticky eyelids after sleeping.

Depending on the cause, doctors primarily distinguish between three forms:

Viral conjunctivitis

It is highly contagious and is often caused by adenoviruses. The eyes water profusely, are reddened, and are often sensitive to light. The inflammation often starts in one eye and then spreads to the other.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Typical symptoms include yellowish, pus-like discharge and noticeably sticky eyes. It is also contagious, but usually heals on its own or is easily treatable.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Here, severe itching is usually the main symptom. Often both eyes are affected, accompanied by sneezing or a runny nose. This form is not contagious. “Viral infections in particular spread quickly, for example via hands or shared objects,” explains Reinhard. “Hygiene is crucial here.”

With viral conjunctivitis, causal treatment is usually not possible. Therapy therefore primarily aims to relieve symptoms—for example, with artificial tears, cooling compresses, and strict hygiene, since the condition is highly contagious. Bacterial conjunctivitis is often treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments. Additionally, the eyelids can be gently cleaned. In most cases, symptoms improve within a few days even without treatment.

For allergic conjunctivitis, anti-allergic eye drops, such as antihistamines, can help. Cooling the eyes and avoiding the triggering allergens can further alleviate symptoms. Oral medication is usually not necessary. 

What you should do yourself

• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid rubbing your eyes if possible
• Keep towels and cosmetic products separate, even within the family
• Temporarily stop wearing contact lenses
• Apply cool compresses to relieve symptoms

When you should seek immediate medical attention

• If symptoms do not improve after two to three days
• In case of severe pain
• If you experience sensitivity to light
• If your vision is impaired

You should take these warning signs seriously

As common as red eyes may be, some symptoms indicate more than just a harmless irritation and should be examined by a doctor promptly. These include:

• severe pain in or around the eye
• a growing and pronounced sensation of a foreign body
• sudden deterioration of vision
• severe sensitivity to light
• significant worsening
• Injuries or a foreign body in or around the eye

Then there may be more to it than a simple inflammation—such as keratitis or, in rare cases, an acute glaucoma attack. This is an ophthalmic emergency involving extremely elevated intraocular pressure.

“Pain in or around the eye and vision problems are always a warning sign,” Reinhard emphasizes. “In that case, you shouldn’t wait, but seek medical help immediately.”

What not to do with a stye

Not every redness affects the entire eye. Sometimes the inflammation is located directly at the edge of the eyelid. A stye is a bacterial infection of a gland on the eyelid and usually appears as a red, tender swelling, sometimes with a small “puss-filled spot.”

Even though it’s uncomfortable, a stye is usually harmless and often heals on its own. “It’s important not to ‘squeeze’ it—that can make the infection worse,” says Reinhard.

The following are helpful:

• warm, dry compresses several times a day
• careful eyelid hygiene

You should have a stye examined by a doctor if:

• the swelling becomes very large
• you experience severe pain
• the inflammation spreads

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