Red, dry or itchy eyes on a Red Sea holiday: causes and care

Red eyes after swimming are often caused by pool chemicals, which wash away the eye’s protective tear film. Mild redness usually clears within a couple of hours. Rinse with fresh water, rest your eyes and use lubricating drops. Get urgent help for a very painful eye, pain from light, vision changes or a chemical splash.

Sun, wind, dust, air-conditioning, sunscreen, allergies and contact lenses can also make eyes red, dry or itchy on a Red Sea holiday. This guide is for holidaymakers in Sharm El Sheikh, including contact lens wearers and parents.

Pool water and chlorine

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) explains that pool chemicals can wash away the tear film. This thin, moist layer protects the eye. Without it, eyes feel uncomfortable and look red.

The CDC adds that chlorine mixes with sweat, urine, dirt and make-up to form irritants called chloramines. These can make swimmers’ eyes red and itchy. A strong “chlorine” smell at a pool is often chloramines.

Cleveland Clinic says this “swimmer’s eye” usually clears within a couple of hours. To prevent it:

• Wear goggles every time you swim.
• Shower before you get into the pool, so less sweat and dirt reach the water.
• Splash your closed eyes with fresh water straight after swimming.
• Use lubricating eye drops before and after swimming if your eyes tend to feel dry.

Sea water, sand and wind

Snorkelling and beach days bring salt water, sand and wind to your eyes at the same time. A well-fitting mask or goggles keeps the water out. After the swim, rinse your face and closed eyes with fresh water.

A grain of sand can scratch the cornea, the clear front of the eye. If something feels stuck, rinse the eye with clean water and do not rub it. Get urgent help if it is still stuck.

Wind, dust and air-conditioning all make dry eyes more likely, according to the NHS. Dry eyes may feel itchy, sore or gritty, look red, blur your vision or water more than usual. Take breaks from strong air-conditioning and from screens. Cleveland Clinic suggests wraparound sunglasses to shield the eyes from irritants.

Sun and glare

The NHS warns that a beach day without eye protection can burn the surface of the eye. Like sunburn, it is temporary but painful. Sunlight reflected from sand and water is particularly dangerous.

This is called photokeratitis. Cleveland Clinic lists pain, redness, watering, blurred vision, a gritty feeling and sensitivity to light. Symptoms usually go within 48 hours.

Go indoors, take out contact lenses and rest your eyes. A cold, damp cloth on closed eyes and lubricating drops can help. Pain and sensitivity to light can also be signs of other eye problems, so see a doctor to check the cause.

Sunscreen in your eyes

Cleveland Clinic notes that chemical sunscreens can burn if they get into the eyes. Apply face sunscreen carefully around the eyes. The FDA advises never spraying sunscreen directly onto your face.

If sunscreen gets in, rinse the eye with plenty of clean water. The NHS also says to follow the advice on the packaging. Mild irritation from products such as shampoo often settles within a day.

Our guide to choosing sunscreen for Egypt explains mineral and chemical filters.

Allergies

Allergies can make both eyes red, itchy and watery. The NHS notes that allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. A pharmacist can suggest antihistamine tablets or allergy eye drops. Read more in our guide to allergies and insect bites.

Contact lenses: never swim in them

The CDC advises removing contact lenses before swimming, showering or using a hot tub. The AAO warns that lenses worn in any water, including the sea, put you at high risk of a corneal infection. Bacteria can grow on lenses after just one swim.

One rare but serious risk is Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by an amoeba found in water, soil and dust. The CDC says it is most common in contact lens wearers. Untreated, it can cause severe pain and permanent vision loss.

On holiday:

• Use prescription swim goggles instead of lenses in the water.
• Keep lenses away from water, and store them only in fresh lens solution.
• Do not sleep in your lenses unless your eye care provider has told you to.
• Pack spare glasses, a lens case and solution.
• If an eye feels uncomfortable, take the lens out, wear your glasses and get advice.

A red, painful eye in a lens wearer needs an urgent check by a doctor.

Sunglasses: what to look for

Choose sunglasses that block UV, not just bright light. Cleveland Clinic advises looking for “100% UV protection” or “UV400” on the label. The NHS recommends wraparound lenses or wide arms, with the CE mark and the British Standard mark 12312-1:2013 E.

Polarised lenses cut glare from the water, but polarisation alone does not block UV. Add a wide-brimmed hat for extra shade.

Simple care for mild red or dry eyes

If your eye does not hurt, your sight is normal and you feel well, the NHS says it is probably nothing serious. It may get better on its own within a few days. Until then:

• Splash your closed eyes with clean water, or use a sterile eye wash.
• Hold a cool, clean flannel over your closed eyes for a few minutes.
• Use lubricating eye drops, also called artificial tears. If you need them often, ask for a preservative-free type.
• Do not touch or rub your eyes, and wash your hands often.
• Leave contact lenses out until your eyes are back to normal.

Be careful with redness-relief drops. The AAO advises against using them for more than a few days, because they can make redness worse later (“rebound redness”).

For children, in pregnancy or with a long-term eye condition, ask a pharmacist or doctor before using any eye drops. Cleveland Clinic advises seeing a doctor if mild irritation lasts longer than 48 hours.

Is it conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye”, is caused by an infection or an allergy. It usually affects both eyes. They look red, burn or feel gritty, itch or water, and may produce sticky pus that coats the lashes. It often gets better without treatment.

The NHS suggests:

• Clean your eyelids with boiled water that has cooled, using a clean cotton pad for each eye.
• Hold a cold flannel on your eyes for a few minutes.
• Do not wear contact lenses until your eyes are better.
• Wash your hands often, and do not share towels or pillows.

A pharmacist can suggest eye drops or antihistamines. Antibiotics do not help conjunctivitis caused by a virus or an allergy. See a doctor if symptoms have not cleared within 7 days, or if a baby has red, sticky eyes.

Need help in Sharm?

Our pharmacists speak English, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian. They can tell you whether you need a doctor. They can also help you choose lubricating drops, allergy eye drops or an eye wash. Ask us what is in stock today. Our Naama Bay and Nabq pharmacies are open until 1:00 AM every day.

Message us on WhatsApp or call +20 120 344 2201. Free hotel delivery is available for orders from $30. If you need a doctor, read where to get medical help in Sharm.