Common Causes of Red Eye
Conjunctivitis. Also called "pink eye," conjunctivitis is one of the most common (and contagious) eye infections, particularly among school children.
It occurs when the conjunctiva — the thin, normally transparent membrane that covers the sclera and lines the eyelids — becomes infected.
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Contact lenses. One of the main culprits of red eye is over-wearing or not properly caring for your contact lenses, which can cause a build-up of irritating surface deposits and microbes on your eye.
Red eyes while wearing contacts could be a sign of a serious eye infection, such as keratitis or fungal eye infections. If your eyes become red while wearing contact lenses, remove your contacts immediately and visit your eye doctor.
When the conjunctiva is infected, the blood vessels within it become irritated and swell, giving the eye a red or pink appearance. In fact, a reddish-pink eye is a telltale symptom of conjunctivitis.
There are different types of conjunctivitis — and therefore different ways to treat pink eye — so be sure to always visit your eye doctor for correct diagnosis.
Dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome occurs when your tear glands produce either an insufficient quantity or quality of tears to properly lubricate and nourish your eyes. Chronic dry eye can cause the surface of the eye to become inflamed and irritated, making your eyes look red.
While dry eye syndrome may not be curable, it can be managed. Treatment for dry eyes includes lubricating "artificial tears" eye drops and punctal plugs. Ask your eye care practitioner for the treatment options best for you.
Allergy. Red eyes often are referred to as "allergy eyes," given that eye redness is a common indicator of an allergic reaction.
When your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, pet dander, dust or certain chemicals found in makeup or contact lens solutions, your body releases histamine as part of the inflammatory response that occurs to "fight off" the culprit allergens.
As a result, the histamine released causes blood vessels in your eyes to enlarge, making your eyes become red and watery.
Avoiding known allergens to which you are sensitive or taking medication advised by your doctor such as antihistamine eye drops can help keep dreaded hay fever and eye allergies at bay, especially during allergy seasons.
Contact lenses also can worsen dry eye syndrome, as they typically reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea and can restrict normal tear flow production, particularly with poorly fitting contacts.
You can minimize your risk of contact lens-induced red eye by keeping your lenses clean and disinfected, and replacing them according to your eye doctor's directions. Your doctor also may advise you to try daily disposable lenses or a different type of contact lens material, such as gas permeable (GP) lenses.
Your eyes have to work overtime when working at a computer for extended periods.
Computer vision syndrome. Red, burning and tired eyes go hand-in-hand with staring at a computer screen for too long, which can cause computer vision syndrome. One reason is that you blink less when working at a computer, which dries out the surface of your eye.
Tips to reduce computer eye strain include taking frequent breaks while working at a computer, modifying your workstation and wearing specially designed computer glasses. Lubricating eye drops also will can help to keep your eyes moist and healthy — and red-free.
Eye injury. Trauma or injury to the eye, including cosmetic eyelid surgery, can result in red, bloodshot eyes, sometimes accompanied by a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
As an inflammatory response to injury, blood vessels in your eye dilate to allow more blood flow to the site of the injury for quicker healing. This dilation (and sometimes breakage) of blood vessels on the eye is what causes the redness.
Eye injuries can range from minor eye scratches (corneal abrasions) to deep puncture wounds and chemical burns. Whatever the source, always treat an eye injury as a medical emergency and see an eye doctor immediately.
Red Eyes Treatment
Treatment for red eyes varies, depending on its cause. Contact your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment anytime you develop red, irritated eyes.
If you wear contact lenses, always remove them if you are experiencing bloodshot or irritated eyes.
Remedies for red eyes range from rest, cool compresses over your eyes and over-the-counter eye drops to more aggressive treatment such as antibiotics or even surgery.
Remember, if red eyes are accompanied by eye pain, light sensitivity, swelling or blurry vision, see your eye doctor immediately for urgent treatment.
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