Common issues
Eye infections and eyelid problems
Medically reviewed byGuðbjartur Ólafsson, family physician and chief medical officer at Fjarlækningar
Redness, itching, and discharge from the eyes are among the most common eye problems, and the vast majority are mild and resolve on their own.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margin that causes redness, flaking, and crusting, especially in the morning. It is chronic and often recurs. A stye and a chalazion are lumps on the eyelid that form when a gland becomes blocked — a stye is tender and comes on quickly, while a chalazion is usually painless and takes longer to go away. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the membrane covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid, most often caused by a virus but sometimes by bacteria or allergy.
What these problems have in common is that they are visible on the outside of the eye and vision remains unchanged. If vision worsens, the eye hurts, or you become sensitive to light, it is a different kind of problem and needs an examination.
What can be resolved?
- Blepharitis — redness, flaking, and crusting at the eyelid margin
- Styes and chalazia — a lump on the eyelid
- Uncomplicated conjunctivitis — red eye with discharge, unchanged vision, and no pain
- Dryness and irritation in the eyes
When is the service not suitable?
- Vision that has worsened or become blurry.
- Pain in the eye, not just burning or a foreign body sensation.
- Light sensitivity.
- A red eye in someone who wears contact lenses — this needs same-day examination.
- Eye injury, a foreign body, or a substance that got into the eye.
- Blistering rash on the forehead, eyelid, or tip of the nose.
- A protruding eye, double vision, or reduced eye movement.
- An infant younger than one month with a red eye or discharge.
General advice
Here is general advice for mild eye problems.
Warm compresses
The compress needs to stay warm the whole time. A cold compress does not help.
A warm washcloth or cotton swab loosens crusts and opens blocked glands.
Blepharitis and chalazia take weeks, not days.
Hygiene and infection prevention
Good advice
- Rinse discharge from the eye with clean water or saline.
- Artificial tears may be used as needed for dryness and irritation.
- Remove contact lenses and wear glasses in the meantime.
Things to avoid
- Squeezing a lump on the eyelid.
- Using eye drops prescribed for someone else.
- Putting contact lenses back in before the eye is symptom-free.
A red eye in a contact lens wearer may be a corneal infection and needs same-day examination. Remove the lenses immediately and contact an ophthalmologist or Læknavaktin at 1700.
The advice above is general and does not replace medical advice. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not go away.
Please note
Fjarlækningar handles simple, clearly defined issues. Some cases require an examination, testing, or emergency care - and are directed to another care pathway. In emergencies, call 112.
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