19 Red Eye Causes and How to Treat Red Eyes

Broken blood vessels can look scary but are generally harmless. Allergic reactions to pollen, dust and other irritants that spike during specific seasons can cause your eyes to burn and itch. As a result, you can end up with near-consistent reflex tears until you find relief by either limiting your exposure to irritants or using allergy eye drops.

Wearing contact lenses for an extended period of time can affect the cornea, leading to eye redness and irritation. Also, see your optician before using “red eye remover” eye drops. These drops may contain drugs called vasoconstrictors that shrink blood vessels.

Red eyes (bloodshot eyes): Causes and treatments

• In addition to medical treatments, there are several home remedies that you might consider trying for mild cases of red eye.
• If you have eye redness or other concerns about your vision or eye health, contact an eye professional to schedule an appointment.
• Such injuries may cause redness in one eye without pain at first, but they can worsen quickly.
• Some cases of eye redness can be treated at home, while others need medical attention.
• One of the most prevalent causes is irritation from environmental factors such as smoke, dust, or wind.
• A subconjunctival hemorrhage is more likely to occur when taking a blood thinner (such as Coumadin) or an NSAID (such as ibuprofen).

Very rarely, but more seriously, the redness could be caused by a tumor in your eye. Home remedies can help relieve your symptoms, such as rest, cool compresses, gently washing your eyelids, or lightly massaging them. You might find brief relief in over-the-counter artificial tears that wash and moisten your eyes. Moreover, consider making adjustments to your environment to minimize allergens and irritants.

Morning red eyes: Causes, warnings, and how to prevent it

Bloodshot eyes may also occur with no other signs or symptoms, but this tends to be less common. Until you can see your optician about your red eye problem, remove your contact lenses (if you wear them) and wear your glasses instead. And bring your contacts with you to your appointment so your optician can evaluate whether your contact lenses are causing your red eyes. If you suddenly develop red eye, visit a doctor to determine cause and best way to get rid of red eyes. It can look like there are several squiggly pink or red lines on the sclera or the entire sclera may appear diffusely pink or red. Red eyes (or red eye) is a condition where the white of the eye (the sclera) has become reddened or “bloodshot.”

Contact lens irritation

Artificial tears, clinically known as demulcent drops, are over-the-counter eye drops formulated to restore moisture to dry, inflamed eyes. Artificial tears are a common red eye treatment and should be applied fairly often; most people tend to under-use them. Most often, however, the cause of red eyes is benign (harmless). That “bloodshot” appearance of red eyes occurs when blood vessels in the white part of the eye—the conjunctiva—are irritated and become enlarged.

Optometrist Weston Tuten, OD, explains the reasons your tears cause a burning feeling and how to stop them, without rubbing your eyes. Styes that form on your eyelid, for example, may be a precursor to a more severe infection. Red eyes indicate irritation or inflammation to the white part of the eye (sclera) or to the edges of eyelids. Sunken eyes, or enophthalmos, is a sign of trouble in the eye socket. Find out what causes sunken eyes and how doctors treat the condition. Learn what causes yellow eyes, how they’re treated and when you need to see an eye doctor.

Allergies

Almost everyone will have some experience with red eyes in their lives. They happen when your eyes are irritated and go away when the irritation passes. But there are times when you should get your eyes checked, such as when you have pain or problems with your vision.

• However, you should seek emergency medical care if eye redness occurs with intense pain and/or vision problems.
• Various factors can cause eye crust, but seeking treatment is always important.
• For many individuals experiencing mild cases of red eye, over-the-counter remedies can provide quick relief.
• Understanding the causes of red eyes, whether it’s due to tiredness or environmental factors, can help you address the issue effectively.
• You can also react to cosmetics or eye drops containing ingredients you’re allergic to.

Over-the-counter eye drops are often sufficient, but some may require medical attention. Injury or trauma to the eye can range from minor to severe and may cause eye redness. Eye injuries may involve getting hit in the eye (blunt eye injury) or corneal abrasions, chemical burns and foreign body exposure, among others. Many people think of eye redness as a symptom , but it is actually a sign of a condition or other concern. An easy way to remember is that a sign is what a doctor sees, and a symptom is what the patient tells the doctor.

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Other infections that may lead to red eye include blepharitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelid margins, and keratitis, an infection of the cornea. Both conditions can cause significant discomfort and require prompt attention. Red eyes are a very common eye concern, and, chances are, you may experience bloodshot eyes at some point in your life. While this is often a minor issue that lasts only a brief time, it can signal serious eye conditions and should be evaluated by an eye care specialist. If you have eye redness 19 red eye causes and how to treat red eyes or other concerns about your vision or eye health, contact an eye professional to schedule an appointment.

Red Eye Prevention

Corneal ulcers, also known as keratitis, are sores on the cornea. They cause red, painful eyes and can lead to severe eye issues if untreated. Periorbital edema, or swelling around the eye, has many causes. Dry eyelids are a common problem that can be caused by exposure, lifestyle choices, or underlying conditions. Bloodshot eyes may not always be a major cause for concern, but they can indicate serious eye conditions that require immediate care.

However, you should seek emergency medical care if eye redness occurs with intense pain and/or vision problems. Yes, red eyes might signal conditions like glaucoma or autoimmune disorders. Understanding the causes of red eyes, whether it’s due to tiredness or environmental factors, can help you address the issue effectively. Eyelid inflammation is redness and swelling of the eyelid that can be caused by infection, irritation, or injury.