King Charles' recurring injury flares up again

King Charles visited a space laboratory in Oxford on Friday, and while His Majesty looked enchanted by the innovations on show, royal watchers were somewhat distracted.

Though His Royal Highness appeared to be having a grand day out, his engagement was marred by a rather sore-looking eye. In photos taken at the university research centre, the 77-year-old monarch's eye looked sore and inflamed – and it's not the first time.

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Almost a year ago, the King sported an identical ailment when French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, paid a visit to Windsor.

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At the time, it was reported that the redness was due to a burst blood vessel in his right eye, and given that his eye looks the same this year, we'd see it's a recurrence of the same issue.

King Charles' burst blood vessels

While His Majesty's eye looks red and uncomfortable, it's likely to be nothing to be concerned about, with the Mayo Clinic noting: "Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel to break in the eye."

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Medically known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, the clinic says that while the King's eye might look alarming, it's usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so, and doesn't need treatment.

Recurring eye issues for the King

As noted, this is the second time HRH has appeared with a burst blood vessel, but this is among many other eye issues he has suffered.

Back in 2001, the King was seen wearing an eye patch to protect his eye following an accident in the garden.

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No, not a stick in the eye, but rather, King Charles III had to wear the patch after he got a large amount of dust in his eye while sawing a tree in his garden.

Following the gardening mishap, the then 52-year-old had to undergo hospital treatment, which resulted in his pirate-like protection.

The King's stoic nature

As always, the King didn't let his duties slip, with His Majesty devoted to his work, even when he is under the weather.

Throughout his cancer treatment, King Charles has kept up his royal engagements, and even during the most intense period of treatment, was said to be working away behind doors, even if he wasn't attending public events.

Here's hoping his eye doesn't give him too much trouble over the coming days and he's looking bright-eyed again in no time.