Small Red Eye

Close-up of a persons eye showing a small red area on the sclera

A small red spot on your eye usually means irritation or a minor injury. The redness happens when tiny blood vessels in the eye's white part (sclera) expand. This can happen in one or both eyes.

How It Works

The eye's white part has many small blood vessels. Normally, they're barely visible. But when something irritates the eye, these vessels widen. This makes the eye look red or pink. A small red spot often means a tiny area of irritation.

Main Types

Small red spots in the eye can happen in different parts:

Cornea: Tiny blood vessels may grow on the cornea (the clear front part of the eye). This can happen after an injury or infection.
Conjunctiva: The thin layer covering the white part of the eye can become inflamed. This is called conjunctivitis or pink eye.
Sclera: Small red spots on the sclera (the white part) often mean irritation or a minor injury.

Common Causes

Small red spots in the eye have many causes. Some common ones include:

Eye strain: Staring at screens or driving long distances can cause redness.
Dry eyes: Not enough tears can irritate the eye and cause redness.
Allergies: Pollen, pet dander, or dust can make the eyes red and itchy.
Minor injuries: A small scratch or poke can cause a red spot.
Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can cause redness and discharge.

When to See a Doctor

Most small red spots go away on their own. But see a doctor if:

The redness doesn't go away in a few days.
Your vision changes.
You have pain, swelling, or discharge from the eye.
You had an injury to the eye.

Common Mistakes

Many people think a small red spot in the eye is always serious. But most of the time, it's minor. However, don't ignore it if it doesn't go away or if you have other symptoms.

Some people think rubbing the eye will help. But rubbing can make the redness worse. It can also cause more irritation or even a scratch on the cornea.

Firsthand Experience

Last year, I got a small red spot in my eye after a long day of work. I thought it was just tiredness, so I rested and used lubricating eye drops. The redness went away in a couple of days. But if it had gotten worse or hurt, I would have seen a doctor.