Red eyes are one of the primary reasons people visit their doctor, making an early diagnosis essential to avoid further complications and treatable. It is vital that individuals identify what’s causing the redness and seek prompt medical treatment to avoid potential complications.

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Causes

Red eyes can be annoying and painful. Caused by irritation or infection, they usually affect just one eye at a time but may affect both. Sclera vessels become red when they swell, with symptoms including watery discharge from your eyeball (known as mucous discharge), itching discomfort or the foreign body sensation (feeling something in your eye) as well as changes to vision.

Most red eye symptoms don’t warrant immediate medical attention and typically resolve within days on their own. However, if your red eyes persist or cause pain or vision loss it’s important to seek medical advice immediately as red eyes could be an early indicator of diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

Red eye disorders typically result from irritations or infections causing inflammation and swelling of small blood vessels in the conjunctiva – the thin membrane that lines both eyelids and whites of eyes – known as conjunctivitis and potentially viral or bacterial in origin. Irritants like smoke, dust or pollution as well as sleeping late, reading in dim light, swimming or contact lens use are frequently the source of redness in eyes.

Other causes of red eyes include dryness and ocular trauma. These conditions are often very uncomfortable, often associated with burning sensations, the feeling that there is something in the eye, or frequent blinking.

Artificial tears are an easy and effective solution for many cases of red eyes. Available over-the-counter at most drug stores, artificial tears work best when used multiple times daily – warm compresses may also provide comforting relief. Before use, always wash hands thoroughly, keeping container tip away from eye. Tilt back your head slightly and squeeze one or two drops into each eye up to four times daily until symptoms have subsided.

Symptoms

Redness in the eye is caused by overgrown blood vessels on the white part of the eyeball (sclera). Left untreated, these swollen blood vessels may lead to permanent damage; its severity depends on various factors including duration and type of condition that caused them. An eye care professional will be able to assess how urgently treatment should be administered depending on its nature.

Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to by its colloquial term – pink eye – is one of the primary causes of red eyes. Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis ranges from mild cases with clear mucous-like discharge up to more serious infections requiring immediate and specialized medical intervention. Pink eye is highly contagious so children should remain away from school/daycare until drainage and redness have subsided in order to limit further infection spread.

Cracked eyes may also cause red eye, usually in one or both eyes. Symptoms may include feeling something in your eye or scratchy sensations, intermittent blurred vision and light sensitivity. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the lid skin that may result in redness in both eyes, a burning sensation, itching, swollen or crusted eyelids and grainy feelings in them as well as red eye.

Red eyes may also be caused by glaucoma, herpes zoster opthalmicus (which often coincides with headaches), foreign bodies or chemical/toxic exposures; all of these require immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist or primary care physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Ophthalmologists or primary care doctors will conduct an in-depth history review, asking about medications, allergies and any underlying diseases suspected as causes. A complete physical exam should also be undertaken; in particular to ascertain any new ocular injuries have occurred; any changes have taken place to cornea shape; whether pain or scratchy sensation is experienced and to assess severity, discomfort tearing and photosensitivity levels in relation to photosensitivity levels present.

Diagnosis

Red eye symptoms are a common symptom that may indicate many conditions. Diagnosis typically involves taking a detailed history and conducting physical exam; in particular, it’s essential to distinguish whether the redness is acute or chronic and identify potentially serious ocular presentations that require urgent referral to an ophthalmologist.

Primary care doctors need to ask targeted questions regarding the duration and severity of red eyes. Questions might include when pain worsens; whether or not an earache, cough, sore throat, fever or nausea is present; as well as whether the redness affects only one eye; what other symptoms it might bring up like itchy eyes or blurred vision.

If the patient wears contact lenses, their physician should inspect them for signs of irritation such as styes or chalazion. Furthermore, allergies should be discussed as well as eye drops or ointments used. A slit lamp examination may also be performed to better evaluate conjunctiva, lashes, cornea and deeper structures of the eye.

It is essential to distinguish viral from bacterial conjunctivitis. The viral form often manifests itself with sore throat or upper respiratory infection and begins in one eye before spreading rapidly throughout the other. On the other hand, bacterial varieties usually begin rapidly with pain, itching or watery discharge symptoms as early as day one.

Infectious keratitis can be a severe source of red eyes and requires prompt treatment in order to avoid corneal ulcers, scarring or loss of vision. To find the appropriate antibiotic to address it quickly. Patients suffering from styes or chalazion should apply warm compresses several times daily as well as massage to help the condition resolve itself; infected corneas typically require stronger solutions like corticosteroid creams or drops; otherwise they may require hospitalization so the wound can be flushed out surgically in order to flushe out surgically if symptoms continue unchecked quickly enough.

Treatment

Red eyes may be caused by irritation or infection. Your eyelid and white of the eyelid are protected by a clear membrane known as conjunctiva that covers them both, and when this becomes infected or irritated it causes blood vessels to expand causing redness of your eyes. Eye infections may result from viruses, bacteria and sexually transmitted diseases causing these issues – therefore it’s wise to see your doctor immediately if pain or changes to vision arise as a result of redness in either eye.

Common causes of red eyes include viral, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is usually not serious and goes away on its own without complications; symptoms include runny nose and sneezing. Allergic conjunctivitis presents with more serious issues including itchy and puffy eyes as well as light sensitivity accompanied by watery eye conditions and symptoms like itching on nose/throat/eyes etc.

Bacterial conjunctivitis, another form of pink eye caused by bacteria, can manifest with symptoms including gritty sensation in the eyes, watery discharge and mild crusting of eyelashes upon awakening in the morning. Antibiotic eye drops are used to treat this form of red eye.

Antibiotic eyedrops or ointment is the standard remedy for treating bacterial eye infections, and should be applied directly into any affected eyes as directed by your physician. Drops tend to last less time in the eye than ointment and may temporarily blur vision, so your doctor may suggest using both drops during the daytime and ointment in the evening for maximum effectiveness. Some bacterial infections may require oral medication. If a bacterial infection is unresponsive to eye drops, your doctor might suggest taking an oral antibiotic instead. Otherwise, resting your eyes and washing away any irritants may help, while some patients find using an artificial tear (available over-the-counter) may help relieve its symptoms and keep eyes lubricated.