Redness of the eye, also called bloodshot eyes, can indicate the presence of several different health issues. While some of these issues are benign, others are serious and require emergency medical attention. Show The redness of your eye may be a cause for concern. However, most serious eye problems happen when you have redness along with pain or changes in your vision. Below, we’ll explore the different causes of eye redness, how they’re treated, and when it’s a good idea to contact a doctor. Now let’s explore the different causes of eye redness. For each one, we’ll cover what it is, what causes it, and any other additional symptoms to be aware of. AllergiesAllergies can affect the eyes, leading them to become red and swollen. Other symptoms that you may experience include:
Eye allergy symptoms can also be accompanied by other allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and an itchy, running nose. Some common allergy triggers include:
Dry eyesTears are made by small glands above the eyes. They work to help protect and lubricate the eyes. You have dry eyes when your eyes don’t produce enough tears. Dry eyes are very common, with studies estimating a prevalence rate of between 5 to 50 percent. The condition is more likely to occur in women, people over the age of 50, and individuals who wear contact lenses. If you have dry eyes, you may notice that your eyes appear red. Other symptoms include:
ConjunctivitisConjunctivitis happens when the membrane covering the insides of your eyelids and the white part of your eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This condition is also called pink eye. Inflammation of the conjunctiva causes the whites of your eyes to appear pink or red in color. Some other symptoms that may occur with conjunctivitis are:
Conjunctivitis can have a variety of causes, including:
Conjunctivitis due to a viral or bacterial infection is very contagious. That means that it can easily be spread from one person to another. BlepharitisBlepharitis is when your eyelids become inflamed. It can cause your eyelids or eyes to appear red and swollen. Some additional symptoms of blepharitis are:
It’s also possible for blepharitis to cause more serious symptoms, particularly if not managed. These can include things like loss of eyelashes, eyelashes that grow in the wrong location, or blurred vision. Blepharitis can happen if you have high amounts of bacteria on your eyelids. The condition may also develop if oil glands in your eyelids become clogged. A mite infestation can also cause blepharitis in rare cases. UveitisUveitis is inflammation that happens in the middle part of your eye, called the uvea. The uvea is an area found between the white of your eye and your retina. Inflammation due to uveitis can lead to eye redness. Additional symptoms to look out for are:
There are a few known causes of uveitis, including:
Getting timely treatment for uveitis is vital. This is because the condition can lead to vision loss if not managed. ScleritisScleritis is when inflammation affects the white of your eye, which is called the sclera. When this occurs, the white of your eye can become red and swollen. Additional symptoms can be:
The development of scleritis is often associated with an autoimmune disease. Examples include:
It’s also possible for scleritis to happen due to an injury to the eye or an eye infection. Subconjunctival hemorrhageSometimes, a blood vessel in an eye can break, leaking blood on the surface of your eye This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The condition may look serious, but it’s often benign and goes away on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Typically, the redness in the affected eye is the only symptom, although in some cases, your eye may feel slightly irritated. However, if you have subconjunctival hemorrhage and your vision is decreased, talk with a doctor. Some potential causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage are:
You may be more prone to this condition if you’re taking blood thinners or have diabetes or hypertension. Eyelid styeA stye is a blockage of the meibomian gland in the eye that causes inflammation. It can affect the outside or inside of either your upper or lower eyelid. If you have a stye, the area at the edge of your eyelid can become red, swollen, and painful. The affected area may fill with meibum (due to the blocked gland) and can potentially grow to the size of a pea. Angle-closure glaucomaGlaucoma is a condition where the pressure in your eye increases due to the eye producing more fluid than the normal rate. This can damage your optic nerve, potentially leading to vision loss. There are different types of glaucoma. In one type, called angle-closure glaucoma, a rapid increase in eye pressure occurs. You may also see this type of glaucoma called closed-angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. The symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma come on suddenly and may include eye redness. Other symptoms to be aware of are:
Angle-closure glaucoma happens when your iris blocks the area through which eye fluid drains. Fluid begins building up in the eye, leading to a rapid increase in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma is an emergency and can lead to vision loss if you don’t seek treatment right away. Corneal ulcersCorneal ulcers are ulcers, or sores, that affect the outer part of your eye, which is called the cornea. This condition is also called keratitis. In addition to red eyes, other symptoms of a corneal ulcer are:
There are several things that can cause corneal ulcers to develop:
It’s important to seek timely medical attention if you have symptoms of a corneal ulcer. If not managed, this condition can permanently damage your vision. InjurySustaining an injury that affects your eye may cause it to become red, often due to irritation or bleeding. Other symptoms that may occur with an eye injury are:
A few examples of common sources of eye injuries include:
Contact lens wearIndividuals who wear contact lenses have to touch their eyes and the surrounding area more often than those who don’t wear contact lenses. As such, they’re at an increased risk of eye redness due to a variety of factors. Some of these include:
In addition to eye redness, some symptoms of complications related to contact lenses are:
If you wear contact lenses and have any of the symptoms above, remove your contacts for a few hours. If your symptoms continue or become worse, contact an eye doctor. Additional causes of eye rednessIn addition to the causes discussed above, some further causes of eye redness include:
If your eye redness is caused by a milder condition such as allergies, conjunctivitis, or blepharitis, you may be able to treat your symptoms at home. Some things that you can do include:
If your eye redness is accompanied by pain or changes in vision, talk with a doctor. They will ask you about your symptoms, your current health conditions, and problems that may have caused irritation to your eye. They may also examine your eye. Depending on your diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe treatment that helps to alleviate your symptoms. This would likely include things like:
Most causes of eye redness won’t result in serious complications. However, if you have a condition that causes vision changes, this may affect your ability to perform tasks such as cooking or driving. Vision impairments in these areas can result in accidental injury. Some eye conditions that aren’t treated may also result in permanent damage to the eye, which can lead to vision loss. Examples of such conditions include eye infections, angle-closure glaucoma, and eye injuries. Most causes of eye redness don’t warrant emergency medical attention. If you experience eye redness, make an appointment to see a doctor if:
Even though most causes of eye redness aren’t severe, seek emergency medical attention if:
Most cases of eye redness can be prevented by using proper hygiene and avoiding irritants that can cause redness. Follow these tips to prevent eye redness:
What are red eyes a symptom of?The most common causes of red eyes are allergies, dry eyes, contact lens overwear, and conjunctivitis. Allergies affect 40% of the population. Allergy eye symptoms are caused by inflammation of the eye surface when the immune system overreacts to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, grass, or weeds.
How can I clear my red eyes?How To Get Rid of Red Eyes. Use over-the-counter artificial tears. ... . Use over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops, especially if you are prone to seasonal allergies. ... . Use decongestants. ... . Place cool compresses or washcloths on your closed eyes a couple of times a day.. Are red eyes serious?A red eye is usually nothing to worry about and often gets better on its own. But sometimes it can be serious and you'll need to get medical help.
|