Red Eyes

Discharge from the Eyes

White, yellow, or green discharge in addition to redness may be a sign of bacterial conjunctivitis, which affects the white of the eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be sight-threatening without appropriate treatment.

Blurry Vision or Sensitivity to Light

If red eyes are accompanied by sensitivity to bright light or blurry vision, or both, you may have a condition known as uveitis. Uveitis can present with or without pain and should be treated promptly by your doctor to prevent lasting problems.

Pain or a Foreign Body Sensation

Materials like metal shavings, sawdust, and sand can become embedded in the cornea and cause a serious infection. If you experience redness as well as pain that gets worse when you open or close your eye, you may have a foreign body in your eye. This corneal condition requires urgent attention from a doctor.

Conjunctivitis

Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis causes the blood vessels in the lining of the eye to swell. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections and may be caused by a virus, bacteria, or irritant.

Dry Eyes

When your tear glands do not produce enough quality tears, your eyes may become scratchy and inflamed. Dry eyes can develop as a result of age, health conditions, and extended computer use.

Allergies

If you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system will react by releasing histamine. Histamine causes the blood vessels in your eyes to dilate, making them appear red. Allergies also tend to make the eyes itch, and rubbing your eyes in response can add to the problem.

A Broken Blood Vessel

A broken blood vessel on the sclera, also known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, can cause part or all of the eye to appear bright red. Despite its appearance, a broken blood vessel typically causes no visual problems or discomfort.

Contact Lenses

It is important to clean your contact lenses after use to prevent deposits from building up on the surface, which can irritate your eyes. Developing red eyes while wearing contacts can also be a sign of a fungal infection.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle portion of the eye. If it is not treated in a timely manner, uveitis can cause the retina to detach and increase ocular pressure, both of which can result in permanent vision loss. 

Eye Injury

In response to an ocular injury, the blood vessels in your eyes may enlarge to encourage more blood flow. Though dilation promotes healing, it also causes the eyes to look red.

If you regularly experience red, irritated eyes, simple lifestyle changes may relieve your symptoms and prevent issues from recurring.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthy

A nutritious diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation. You can find omega-3s in fish, seeds, and nuts, or you can take daily omega-3 supplements. Drinking eight cups of water a day can also keep your eyes strong and healthy.

Change Your Prescription

If your eyes become red after wearing contact lenses, you may consider a different type of lens or a new solution. Some solutions contain ingredients that are not compatible with all lenses. This combination may be irritating your eyes.

Time and Patience

In cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage, treatment is simply time. The condition should clear on its own in one to two weeks.

Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops

If you have allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory or antihistamine eye drops to relieve symptoms. Keep in mind that in cases of viral conjunctivitis, eye drops will not cure the condition but only minimize discomfort.

Lubricants

To address dry eyes, you may need artificial tears to lubricate the eyes. Prescription eye drops may be recommended in more advanced cases. This can help to reduce inflammation as well as moisten the surface of the eye.

Surgery

If your condition is caused by a corneal abrasion or a foreign object in the eye, you may need a more aggressive form of treatment. Surgery can repair the eye and restore your sight.