My eye has been red for a week. Should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?

boy some insanely, amazingly bad info in these other answers. oh. my. gosh.

"optometrist is a technical person having studied only optics of an eye with some basic things of ophthalmology. Actually he is an assistant to an ophthalmologist."

what? what country are you from? um, no. if i were just a tech or an "assistant to an ophthalmologist", i'm pretty sure i wouldnt have the word "doctor" in front of my name. i am also a "doctor who can also diagnose various eye conditions and problems". i do it all day, every day.

i treat red eyes with medications all day long. i've had 4 of them today and its not even 1pm yet. i'm really good at it.

an ophthalmologist is a surgeon. so if you think you need surgery by all means see an ophthalmologist.

go to an optometrist for everything else. glasses, contacts, RED EYES and eye medications. dont go to your regular physician...they usually are not all that up to speed on eye conditions/meds. they assume all red eyes are bacterial "pink eye" and Rx antibiotics accordingly. whats only right maybe 1/3 of the time.

As long as either doctor treats eye diseases it should not matter which one you see. I would definitely not see a general physician. They usually put you on a really old antibiotic, which most people are allergic to. A doctor who specializes in the eye (ophthalmologist or optometrist) can correctly diagnose you and treat your condition. It may be from your contacts, which is further reason to see a doctor who specializes in the eye. Optometrists have just as much school learning as Ophthalmologists they just don't do a residency that specializes in mostly surgery of the eye. During my 4 years of Graduate school, I probably took 4 classes to learn how to fit contacts and glasses. Most of our education is on diagnosing and treating eye diseases. I think 8 years of schooling is a little more than a technician

Mike, the most worry-free element consistent which includes your description can be a hordeolum or chalazion. both are many times going on bumps that happen on the eyelids. A hordeolum is often purple and a touch tender. although warmth compresses and an antibiotic ointment formulated for use contained in the interest can lead them to flow away extra instantly, they many times flow away all alone in some weeks. After the redness fades, it can go away in the back of a small bump stated as a chalazion. warmth compresses could also help this opt for, yet when it persists more advantageous than one or 2 months, a short place of work precedure to excise it can be mandatory to be rid of it. If the bump lasts more advantageous than some weeks, i could get it checked by capacity of an optometrist or ophthalmologist purely to ensure that it appears like what you're describing. -an ophthalmology resident

what you are experiencing is "conjunctivitis" (irritation or redness in the eye). I had the same problem, if you wear contacts, then take them out for a while (you may want to throw that pair away). There is a chance, a rather big one, that your irritation has been caused by a bacterial infection. You can go to the doctor or optometrist if you like, but the chances are they can't do much for you. They may give you an antibiotic, but this has only proven to decrease recovery time by at most a day or two.

I have found that the best "cure" is homeopathy. (this part is very controversial so....) Homeopathy is when you use something that regularly causes a symptom to get rid of it. ex: back when I used to smoke pot, I had conjunctivitis just like you now, I loaded a bowel of marijuana and smoked it (this usually gives you red eyes bad!!!). The next day, my red eye was gone!!!!! I KID YOU NOT!!!

anyways, I hope this helps. Please don't decline the use of this information because of the illegal drug reference.

Good Luck!

You should at once consult with an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a M.B.B.S doctor having studied so many years everything of human life whereas an optometrist is a technical person having studied only optics of an eye with some basic things of ophthalmology. Actually he is an assistant to an ophthalmologist.

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Ophthalmologist. Pretty much all an optometrist is qualified to to do is figure out your prescription, whereas an ophthalmologist is an actual medical doctor who can also diagnose various eye conditions and problems.

Ophthalmologist.

a general practice doctor should be able to help you. If needed they will refer you to the correct specialist. If you decide to directly to a specialist, make sure your insurance will cover it without a referral.