Red eyes: what is this, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Eye redness; Bloodshot eyes; Red eyes; Scleral injection; Conjunctival injection

Eye redness is a common condition, which can be caused by various factors, such as eye irritation, infection or trauma. It is characterized by the appearance of redness or bloodshot eyes, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly. In this article, we will discuss, what is eye redness, his reasons, symptoms, when to see a doctor, diagnostics, treatment, home treatment and prevention.

What is eye redness?

Eye redness is a condition, in which the whites of the eyes become red or bloodshot. The condition can be caused by various factors, including eye irritation, infection or injury. In some cases, red eyes may be a sign of an underlying medical condition., such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis.

Causes of redness of the eyes

The causes of swelling or rupture of the eye vessels can be:

• Dryness of the eyes
• Prolonged exposure to the sun
• Dust or other particles in the eyes
• Allergy
• Infection
• Early

Eye infections or inflammation can cause redness, as well as possible itching, allocation, pain or vision problems:

• .Aloe : swelling around the edge of the eyelid.
• Conjunctivitis: swelling or infection of clear tissue, which lines the eyelids and covers the surface of the eye (conjunctiva). This condition is often referred to as "pink eye".
• Corneal ulcers: ulcers on the cornea, most often caused by a serious bacterial or viral infection.
• Uveitis: choroid inflammation, which includes the iris, ciliary body and vessels of the eye. The cause is often unknown. It may be due to an autoimmune disease, infection or exposure to toxins. Type of uveitis, which causes severe redness of the eyes, called iritis, in which only the iris becomes inflamed.

Other potential causes of eye redness include:

• Colds or allergies.
• Acute glaucoma : sudden increase in intraocular pressure, which causes severe pain and causes severe vision problems. This calls for an emergency medical service.. The more common form of glaucoma develops gradually and is long lasting. (chronic).
• Corneal scratches: injury, caused by sand, dust or excessive use of contact lenses.

Sometimes a bright red spot appears on the white of the eye, called subconjunctival hemorrhage. It often happens after exertion or coughing., what causes a ruptured blood vessel on the surface of the eye. Most often there is no pain and vision is normal. It's almost never a major problem.. It may be more common in people, who are taking aspirin or blood thinners. As blood seeps into the conjunctiva, which is transparent, you can't wipe or wash away the blood. Like a bruise, red spot changes color (usually yellow), and then goes away within a week or two.

Eye redness symptoms

As the name suggests, the main symptom of eye redness is redness of the whites of the eyes. Other symptoms may include:

• Irritation or itching
• Burning or tingling
• eye swelling
• Watery eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light

When to contact a healthcare professional

In most cases, eye redness is a minor disorder., which can be treated at home. But, if you are in severe pain, vision changes or persistent redness, it is important to see a doctor. This is particularly important, If you have an underlying condition, such as a weakened immune system, because you may be at greater risk of complications.

Diagnosis of redness of the eyes

Health worker diagnosing eye redness, examining the eyes and asking about symptoms and medical history. In some cases, additional tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause of the redness., such as a culture or blood test.

Eye redness treatment

Treatment for reddened eyes will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.. Some common treatments include:

• Eye drops or ointments, otpuskaemыe without prescription, to relieve eye irritation.
• Antibiotic ointment or drops to treat bacterial infections
• Anti-inflammatory drugs to treat allergies or other eye irritations
• Artificial tears to relieve dry eyes
• Steroid eye drops to relieve inflammation

Home treatment for redness of the eyes

In many cases, eye redness can be treated at home with simple measures., such as:

• Applying a warm compress to the eyes
• Washing eyes with saline solution
• Avoid irritants, such as smoke, dust and wind
• Using over-the-counter eye drops or ointments to relieve eye irritation

Prevention of eye redness

To prevent eye redness, it is important to take the following steps:

• Protect your eyes from irritants, such as smoke, dust and wind
• Wear safety glasses, when you are doing activities, which can cause eye injury.

Used sources and literature

Dupre AA, Vojta LR. Red and painful eye. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

Gilani CJ, Yang A, Yonkers M, Boysen-Osborn M. Differentiating urgent and emergent causes of acute red eye for the emergency physician. West J Emerg Med. 2017;18(3):509-517. PMID: 28435504 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28435504/.

Rubenstein JB, Spektor T. Conjunctivitis: infectious and noninfectious. In: Yanoff M, Tablecloths JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.6.