My eye is red — do I need to come in straight away?

A red eye with no pain and no loss of vision can usually be watched for a day or two. If pain, light sensitivity or worsening vision join it — or if you wear contact lenses — call us today. Better an unnecessary call than a corneal inflammation left too long.

Conjunctivitis — won't the pharmacy do?

Sometimes, yes: mild viral conjunctivitis often clears up on its own. But you cannot tell from the outside whether it is 'only' the conjunctiva — or the cornea, the sclera, or the inside of the eye. Telling them apart is slit-lamp work. That is exactly what we are here for, including at short notice.

I wear contact lenses and my eye is red and painful.

Take the lenses out immediately, do not put them back in — and come to us the same day. Contact lens wearers have a markedly increased risk of bacterial corneal inflammation, which if untreated can heal with scarring and permanently reduce vision.

Inflammation inside the eye — less common, but serious. Typically: a dull ache, light sensitivity, blurred vision. It needs treatment by an ophthalmologist and sometimes a search for a cause elsewhere in the body. The earlier it is treated, the better the outlook.

Stye or chalazion — operate or wait?

Usually: wait, apply warmth, keep the lid clean — many settle on their own. Anything still there after weeks, bothering you or coming back, we remove in a short outpatient procedure. And anything that looks unusual we assess: not every 'lump' on an eyelid is harmless.

Eye inflammation

Not every red eye is the same. We look closely — today, if it needs to be.

Most eye inflammation is harmless. Some of it threatens your sight. The difference does not show up in the mirror — it shows up at the slit lamp, and when in doubt, today counts for more than the perfect appointment.

Call now — assessment today book an appointment online

These warning signs belong in a consultation today

Pain in or behind the eye — not just burning or itching
Light sensitivity that makes you screw up your eyes
Worsening or blurred vision
A red eye while wearing contact lenses — take the lenses out, call us
Marked swelling, fever, or a rapidly growing 'lump' on the eyelid

If any of these apply, call us: +41 44 500 69 00. We see findings like these the same day — we keep capacity free for exactly that.

What can be behind it

Conjunctivitis: the most common form — viral, bacterial or allergic, and usually treatable.
Blepharitis, styes and chalazia: irritating, recurrent, rarely dangerous; stubborn cases we also treat surgically.
Corneal inflammation (keratitis): serious, particularly in contact lens wearers — here it is prompt, targeted treatment that decides whether scarring remains.
Uveitis and scleritis: inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) and of the sclera, the outer wall of the eye (scleritis) — both uncommon and both serious; they need consistent treatment and sometimes a search for an underlying cause elsewhere in the body, which we coordinate for you.

Our job is to tell them apart cleanly — and to treat the cause rather than the habit. Antibiotic drops given 'on suspicion' for a viral inflammation are not part of that. For stubborn eyelid findings, Eyelid surgery is what helps.

Costs & health insurance

What does the insurer pay for — and what not?

Inflammation is a medical service and is covered by basic health insurance (OKP) — the more important question is how quickly you get here.

Service	Coverage	What this means for you
Acute assessment & treatment	Basic insurance (OKP)	Billed through basic health insurance — your deductible and co-payment apply as always.
Procedure for a chalazion or eyelid finding	Basic insurance (OKP)	Covered where there is a medical indication.

Our promise: We bill acute treatment directly through basic health insurance. For planned procedures you receive an itemised cost breakdown in writing beforehand.

The conditions in detail

Which inflammation do you have?

Each of these pages answers the same questions: what is it? What helps? What can you do yourself? And how do you know you should come quickly?

ConjunctivitisRed, watering, sticky — viral, bacterial or allergic? Treatment and contagiousness depend on which it is.Stye (hordeolum)The acute, tender lump at the lid margin. Warmth helps, squeezing harms — and some warning signs are urgent.ChalazionFirm, painless, persistent. When warmth and patience are enough — and when a brief procedure makes sense.BlepharitisChronic but well controllable — with lid-margin hygiene that succeeds or fails on the details.UveitisInflammation inside the eye: dull ache, light sensitivity, blurred vision — have it assessed today.

Related conditions

Dry eyes Keratitis (corneal inflammation)Watery eyes

Medically reviewed by PD Dr. med. Andrea von Rückmann · Last reviewed 05 August 2026

Your ophthalmologistPD Dr. med. Andrea von RückmannView profile

Frequently asked questions

: A red eye with no pain and no loss of vision can usually be watched for a day or two. If pain, light sensitivity or worsening vision join it — or if you wear contact lenses — call us today. Better an unnecessary call than a corneal inflammation left too long.
: Sometimes, yes: mild viral conjunctivitis often clears up on its own. But you cannot tell from the outside whether it is 'only' the conjunctiva — or the cornea, the sclera, or the inside of the eye. Telling them apart is slit-lamp work. That is exactly what we are here for, including at short notice.
: Take the lenses out immediately, do not put them back in — and come to us the same day. Contact lens wearers have a markedly increased risk of bacterial corneal inflammation, which if untreated can heal with scarring and permanently reduce vision.
: Inflammation inside the eye — less common, but serious. Typically: a dull ache, light sensitivity, blurred vision. It needs treatment by an ophthalmologist and sometimes a search for a cause elsewhere in the body. The earlier it is treated, the better the outlook.
: Usually: wait, apply warmth, keep the lid clean — many settle on their own. Anything still there after weeks, bothering you or coming back, we remove in a short outpatient procedure. And anything that looks unusual we assess: not every 'lump' on an eyelid is harmless.

When in doubt: call, don't google.

Describe your symptoms to us on the phone. We will tell you straight away whether it can wait until tomorrow — or whether you should come in today.

Call now — assessment today

+41 44 500 69 00 — Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00 / 13:00–17:30. Or book an appointment online.