Red Eyes: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Symptoms of Red Eyes

• Bloodshot appearance in one or both eyes
• Burning, itching, or excessive tearing
• Swelling or puffiness around the eyes
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Discharge (watery or thick mucus, depending on the cause)
• Blurred vision in severe cases

Causes of Red Eyes

Some of the common causes of red eyes include:

Conjunctivitis

• As the name suggests, conjunctivitis can cause inflammation in the eye area. The highly contagious condition appears in 3 forms: bacterial, viral, and allergic.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with a prescription antibiotic. Viral pink eye can be relieved with a cold compress and cold artificial tears. Symptoms usually clear up within two weeks.

Dry Eyes

Sometimes, your tears don't have the right texture. They can evaporate too quickly. And sometimes your eyes cannot make tears at all. This condition is called dry eye. It can cause pain, corneal ulcers, or, in rare cases, loss of vision.

Other Symptoms of Dry Eye Include:

• Harsh feeling
• Burning sensation
• Blurred vision
• Heavy eyelids
• Not being able to cry
• Eye fatigue
• Excess tears, at times when your eyes are not dry
• A stringy discharge
• Discomfort with contact lenses

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common inflammatory eye disease that causes redness in the eyelid area. It can also cause:

• Itching
• Burns
• Peeling
• Scabs

Broken Blood Vessels

This happens when tiny blood vessels break below the surface of the eye. The blood is trapped, causing the white of your eye to turn bright red. Sneeze, heavy lifting, vomiting, or rubbing the eye too hard can cause broken blood vessels. Broken blood vessels can be scary, but they are generally harmless. There is usually no pain.

Glaucoma

Fluid can collect in front of the eye. This can cause stress and potentially harm your optic nerve. The condition is called glaucoma. It is the leading cause of blindness in people 60 years and older. Glaucoma is usually painless. An unusual shape of acute glaucoma can cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Severe pain in the eye
• Headache
• Blurred or decreased vision
• Rainbows or halos in your vision
• Nausea and vomiting

Apart from the above, there are other causes for red eyes:

• Trauma or injury to the eye
• A rapid increase in pressure in the eye that causes pain is called acute glaucoma
• Corneal scrapes caused by irritants or excessive use of contact lenses
• Inflammation of the white part of the eye, called scleritis
• Styes on the eyelids
• Bleeding problems
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Use of marijuana
• Pool chlorine
• Dust
• Cigarette smoke
• Perfume

When to Visit a Doctor?

Most causes of red eyes do not require emergency medical attention.

If you experience redness of the eyes, make an appointment to see your doctor if:

• Your symptoms last over 1 week
• Experience changes in your vision
• Feel pain in the eye
• You become sensitive to light
• Have discharge from one or both eyes
• Take medications that thin the blood, such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Although most causes of eye redness are not serious, you should seek emergency medical help if:

• Your eye is red after trauma or injury
• Have a headache and blurred vision
• Begins to see white rings or halos around lights
• Experience nausea and vomiting
• Feels like something in your eye
• You have swelling in or around your eyes
• You cannot open your eye or keep it open

Consult your doctor to make an appointment if you have red eyes that do not go away after several days, especially if you have pus or thick or almost continuous mucus discharge.

Diagnosis and Tests of Red Eyes

Diagnosing red eyes requires a complete approach that includes:

• Medical History: The doctor will ask about symptoms, triggers, and any recent activities like screen use or exposure to allergens.
• Eye Examination: The doctor will carefully inspect the eye to look for signs of infection, irritation, or injury.
• Slit-lamp exam: A slit lamp is used to examine the eye's detailed structures, helping to identify conditions like conjunctivitis or corneal damage.
• Fluorescein staining involves using a dye to detect corneal damage or foreign bodies in the eye.
• Eye Pressure Measurement: The doctor may check eye pressure to rule out glaucoma if redness is linked to high intraocular pressure.
• Culture Testing: If an infection is suspected, a sample from the eye may be collected to identify the cause.
• Blood Tests: In cases of suspected systemic conditions, blood tests may be done to check for signs of underlying issues, such as autoimmune diseases.

After testing, the doctor will identify the cause and suggest suitable treatments for the red eyes.

Treatment for Red Eyes

Red eyes can appear suddenly or over time. Eye drops are helpful most of the time. If the redness does not go away and is accompanied by other symptoms, people should see a doctor.

Eye injuries, contact lenses, and frequent use of eye drops for red eyes can cause eye irritation and redness. The physician can help the person get treated for the red-eye disease and can develop a treatment plan.

Decongestants and antihistamines can help with itching and redness due to allergies. Red eye treatment options include:

• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic therapy to cure red eye infections caused by bacteria.
• Eye drops: Most medications for eye conditions are in the form of drops. These drops should be taken according to the doctor's prescription.
• Anti-redness: Used to reduce redness.
• Antibiotic eye drops: Prescribed for an eye infection.
• Naphazoline or Tetrahydrozoline Eye Drops: This is a decongestant used to treat allergic reactions or irritation.
• Glaucoma drops: Used to reduce pressure in the eyes.
• Lubricant Eye Drops: Used to treat dry eyes.
• Eye patches: In cases where the eyes are extremely irritated, the doctor may recommend eye patches to protect the eyes from light and speed up the healing process.

Interpersonal therapy. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, these therapies seem to be especially effective in the treatment of depression.

Preventions of Red Eyes

To prevent red eyes from starting or getting worse:

• Avoid smoke, pollen, dust, and other triggers.
• Do not wear contact lenses until the red eyes disappear.
• Always clean lenses properly and do not reuse disposable lenses.
• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes to prevent infection.
• Wash clothes, pillowcases, and towels regularly.
• Bathe or shower before bed or after coming in from outside if you have a seasonal allergy.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen or dust when you are outdoors.

Home Remedies for Red Eyes

• Cold Compress: Apply a clean, cold washcloth over closed eyes for 5-10 minutes to reduce inflammation and redness.
• Cucumber Slices: The cooling effect of cucumber helps soothe irritated eyes and reduces puffiness.
• Rose Water: Soak a cotton pad in pure rose water and place it over closed eyes for instant relief.
• Artificial Tears: Using preservative-free lubricating eye drops helps combat dryness and irritation.
• Tea Bags: Chilled green or black tea bags contain antioxidants that help reduce eye redness and swelling.
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water prevents dehydration, which can contribute to dry and red eyes.
• Blinking Exercises: Taking regular breaks from screens and consciously blinking prevents eye strain.

Red Eyes in Kids: Special Care Tips

• Ensure children wash their hands frequently to avoid infections like conjunctivitis.
• Limit screen time and encourage outdoor activities to prevent eye strain.
• Use a warm compress if redness is due to allergies or mild irritation.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes, as this can worsen irritation or spread infection.

Complications or Risks of Not Treating Red Eye

Ignoring Red eye condition can lead to severe complications, impacting vision and overall eye health.

• Vision Loss: Persistent inflammation or infection can damage the cornea or optic nerve, leading to partial or complete vision loss.
• Corneal Ulcers: Untreated infections may result in corneal ulcers, causing severe pain, blurred vision, and potential scarring.
• Eye Pain and Discomfort: Chronic irritation can cause persistent eye pain, tearing, and sensitivity to light.
• Spread of Infection: Conditions like conjunctivitis can spread to other parts of the eye or other individuals, worsening the condition or causing outbreaks.
• Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea can cause blurred vision, eye pain, and photophobia, which increases the risk of cataracts and glaucoma.