Red, bloodshot eyes are experienced by everyone from time to time. The bloodshot effect might affect one or both eyes. Red Eyes are generally caused by swollen or dilated blood vessels on the sclera, the white outer surface of the eye.

Red eyes are accompanied with symptoms like eye pain, itching, eye discharge, swollen eyes or visual disturbances such as blurry vision. There also might by no symptom that cause any irritation at all.

Bloodshot eyes can develop over time or appear suddenly, particularly in response to allergies or an eye injury.

What Is Red Eye?

“Red eye” is a common term used to describe red, irritated and bloodshot eyes. It also may refer to:

• Red eyes occur when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye expand.
• Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, or broken blood vessel on the sclera.
• Blepharitis, or inflamed eyelids.
• Stye, or a red bump on the eyelid.

The appearance of red eye ranges in severity. It can be anything from a bright red that completely covers the sclera to a few enlarged blood vessels that look like thin red or pink lines across the “white” of the eye.

Red eyes usually are caused by allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses or common eye infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis).

However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma. If your red eye persists or worsens, always contact your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes of Red Eye

Known as the “pink eye,” conjunctivitis is one of the most common and contagious eye infections. This infection occurs when the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent membrane that covers the sclera and lines the eyelids becomes infected.

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 tell-tale symptom of conjunctivitis. There are different types of conjunctivitis. Get the correct diagnosis from the eye doctor to treat the pink eye.

• Dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes are not sufficiently lubricated. When your tear glands produce either an insufficient quantity of tears to properly nourish your eyes, they appear red. Chronic dry eye can cause the surface of the eye to become inflamed and irritated, making your eyes look red and bloodshot. Ask your eye care practitioner for the best treatment options.

Redness in the eyes is a common indicator of an allergic reaction. When the body immune system reacts to an allergy, histamine as part of the inflammatory response is released 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 eye allergies at bay, especially during allergy seasons.

• Contact lenses

One of the major causes of red eye is contact lenses. Over-wearing or not properly caring for your contact lenses 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.

Contact lenses also can worsen dry eye syndrome. 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.

• Computer vision syndrome

Red, burning and tired eyes go hand-in-hand with staring at a computer screen for too long. The computer vision syndrome is another major cause for bloodshot eyes. Blinking less when working at a computer dries out the surface of your eye.

Try to reduce computer eye strain by taking frequent breaks while working at a computer.  Modify your workstation and use specially designed computer glasses which reduces strain on the eyes. Lubricating eye drops will also help to keep your eyes moist and healthy and red-free.

• Eye injury

Redness of the eye can be caused by eye injury. Trauma or injury, including cosmetic eyelid surgery can result in red, bloodshot eyes, sometimes also accompanied by a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage.

As a 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.

Other Causes of Red Eyes

• Corneal ulcer

Infections of the cornea, including a corneal ulcer have symptoms of red eyes. It is potentially sight-threatening and should be treated as an emergency. In addition to red eyes, other symptoms commonly include eye pain, reduced vision and eye discharge.

• Ocular herpes

Ocular herpes known as eye herpes, have the tell-tale symptom of redness in the eyes. The recurring viral infection is caused by the type 1 herpes simplex virus which also causes common cold sores. Other signs include eye redness, swollen eyes, eye pain, watery discharge and light sensitivity. Herpes of the eye should be treated seriously as they are threatening.

Uveitis is known as an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea). It is typically characterized by red eyes, light sensitivity and visual disturbances such as floaters and blurry vision. The known causes are eye infections, eye injury or trauma, or a systemic auto-immune disorder. But in many cases, the underlying cause is unknown. If not treated early enough, it can lead to permanent loss of vision.

In most cases, glaucoma is ongoing and without any visible symptoms when it first develops. But a sudden onset of painful, bright-red eyes accompanied by halos around lights, vision loss and nausea may signal acute angle-closure glaucoma. This is a sight-threatening condition that warrants urgent medical attention.

• Whitening eye drops

Eye drops for red eyes contain chemicals that shrink the blood vessels on the surface of your eye to reduce redness. Ironically, these whitening eye drops can cause more harm than good over the long term. After continuing usage of eye drops formulated to “get the red out”, they build up a resistance to their whitening effects and need to use more and more drops to achieve the same results. Also, long-lasting use of eye whitening drops can actually cause the redness to worsen after the drops wear off. It is a condition called rebound hyperemia.

• Cold and flu

Bloodshot and puffy eyes, are common symptoms of a cold or flu, along with a runny nose. Red eyes in this instance typically are caused by a sinus infection or blocked sinuses, especially when accompanied with sneezing and coughing.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy also affect the eyes. Eyes may become red and bloodshot, as well as dry, itchy and sensitive to light. It can also can alter the shape of your cornea. It is also common to develop an intolerance to contact lenses or even experience blurry vision. These problems, including eye redness, are temporary and resolve completely after childbirth.

The dangers of cigarette smoking is not just to your heart and lungs, it causes major harm to eyes. Smoking contributes to the significant increase in the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and uveitis. The tobacco smoke is a toxic eye irritant that also can cause dry, red and itchy eyes. Smoking marijuana also causes red, bloodshot eyes. THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, causes significant dilation of blood vessels on the eye, producing eye redness that can last several hours or even longer.

• Excessive alcohol consumption

This is also a cause of eye redness. Alcohol reduces oxygen to your red blood cells, causing blood vessels to clump together and resulting in a ruddy complexion and red, bloodshot eyes.

• Environment and workplace hazards

Extremely dry air, dust, smoke and excessive sun exposure are known eye irritants that can cause red eyes, among other symptoms.

• Corneal scratches

Scratches may be formed on the cornea. These may be caused by windblown particles such as sand and wood filings or flying bits of metal and glass can cause a serious eye injury. Always wear protective eyewear such as safety glasses when you are at risk of foreign objects striking your eye. Whether it be at work, playing sports or performing chores around the house such as mowing the lawn.

• Lack of sleep

The redness of your eyes is a giveaway when you are tired. Puffy eyes and dark circles are indicative signs of not enough sleep. Rubbing sleepy eyes will only intensify eye redness.

Swimming in the pool can also be a cause of the redness in your eyes. Chlorine and other pool sanitizers as well as bacteria found naturally in any type of water, including oceans, lakes and rivers cause great damage on swimmers’ eyes. IfUse swim goggles before taking a dip to avoid irritated, bloodshot eyes after swimming. Also, never swim with contact lenses. Doing so puts you at significant risk of contracting a sight-threatening eye infection such as Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Preventing Red Eyes

• Don’t rub your eyes. The irritants on your hands and fingers can cause even more redness and irritation. Plus, you might scratch your cornea doing so.

• Practice good hygiene when it comes to eyes. Wearing contact lenses requires serious hygiene standards as these can act as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. It is important to follow your eye doctor’s instructions about cleaning and replacing your contacts.

• Speak to your doctor about allergy medications to help keep allergies at bay.

• Take a break from looking at the computer screen and follow the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from your computer every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

• Schedule an eye exam to rule out a more sinister cause of red eyes such as eye disease or a sight-threatening infection.

• Don’t over-use “whitening” eye drops as they can make your eyes redder over time.

Red Eyes Treatment

Treatment for red eyes differs, 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.

Home 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.

[ Read more on Eye Treatments in India at most affordable cost ]

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