The short answer
Most red eyes are conjunctivitis, often called Apollo in Nigeria, which makes the eye red, gritty and sticky but does not usually hurt badly or blur sight, and settles in a week or two. A red eye is an emergency if it is painful, your sight is blurred, light hurts your eyes, the pupil looks odd, or it follows an injury or chemical splash. Never put urine, breast milk, kerosene, herbal mixtures or someone else's drops in the eye.
See a verified eye specialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Go to an eye emergency service the same day if
- The eye is painful, not just itchy or gritty
- Your sight is blurred or reduced and does not clear with blinking
- Bright light hurts your eye
- The pupil looks a different size or shape from the other
- You have a headache with nausea or vomiting, and halos around lights
- Something hit or entered the eye, including metal while grinding or hammering
- You wear contact lenses and the eye is red and painful
- A newborn baby has a red, sticky eye
Chemical splash: act immediately
If acid, alkali, cleaning liquid, cement, or any chemical gets in the eye, rinse it straight away with plenty of clean running water for at least fifteen minutes, holding the eyelids open, and then go to emergency care. Do not wait to get to hospital before rinsing.
Conjunctivitis (Apollo)
Red, sticky, gritty eyes, often both, with crusty lashes in the morning. It spreads easily. Clean the lashes with cooled boiled water, wash your hands often, do not share towels, and stay away from crowded places while it is at its worst. Most cases clear without antibiotics. See a doctor if it is not improving after about a week, or if any warning sign above appears.
Why traditional remedies are dangerous
Urine, breast milk, herbal liquids, kerosene, sugar, and leftover or borrowed drops can carry germs or burn the eye. Steroid drops bought without a prescription can make some infections much worse and cause glaucoma and cataract. Eye doctors in Nigeria see people who lose an eye after a mild infection was treated this way. Only use drops prescribed for your eye.
Common questions
Should I use antibiotic drops for Apollo?
Most conjunctivitis is viral and antibiotics do not help. A doctor may prescribe them for some cases. Do not use leftover drops.
Is a red patch on the white of my eye serious?
A bright red patch with no pain and normal sight is often a burst small blood vessel, which fades over a couple of weeks. Check your blood pressure, and see a doctor if it keeps happening or you take blood thinners.
Can a red eye be a sign of something inside the eye?
Yes. Uveitis, acute glaucoma and corneal infection can all start as a red eye, usually with pain, blurred sight or light sensitivity. Those need same-day care.
Can I book an eye doctor on Mezo?
Yes, for non-urgent problems. For any warning sign above, go to an eye emergency service now rather than waiting for an appointment.
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Red eye. NHS. Patient information.
- Conjunctivitis. NHS. Patient information.
- What is uveitis?. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patient information.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.