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If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wondered why your eyes are so red, you’re not alone. Eye redness is a common occurrence with several possible causes. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about, and a few home remedies are enough to get you back to normal.
However, in some instances, it could be your body’s way of telling you that something is amiss.
As with any condition, red eye treatment depends on the cause. With this in mind, read on to discover seven reasons for bloodshot eyes and what you can do to treat them.
7 Common Causes of Red Eye and Their Treatments
1. Lack of Sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for overall health, eyesight included. Your eyes need to clean out toxins and renew themselves just like the rest of your body, and this can only happen while you’re asleep. Without enough rest, blood and fluid can build up around your eyes, making them look bloodshot and puffy and, in some cases, dry them out.
Action item: Get at least eight hours of sleep every night to restore proper fluid circulation and hydration to your eyes.
2. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
Blinking is the body’s way of replenishing moisture in the eyes. However, when you spend long hours in front of devices like computers, tablets, smartphones or e-readers, you’re likely to blink less. This results in red, dry and irritated eyes and what’s known as Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain.
Action item: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, stare at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It helps relax your eye muscles, reduces dryness, and reminds you to take short breaks. You can also use artificial tears to hydrate and soothe your eyes.
3. Contact Lenses Usage
If you’re a contact lens wearer, chances are you’ve experienced red eyes at some point; research shows that nearly one in three people do. A few reasons why your contacts could be irritating your eyes include:
- Leaving them in for too long
- Wearing a damaged set
- Poor hygiene practices when handling them
- Wrong fit
With contacts, bloodshot eyes can also be a sign of an eye infection or corneal abrasion.
Action item: See your doctor immediately if you experience redness, persistent discomfort or other vision changes when wearing contacts.
4. Environmental Irritants
Environmental irritants are tiny particles and allergens that can easily get into your eyes. Unfortunately, they are almost everywhere, some of which include:
- Airborne allergens like dust or pollen
- Smoke from cigarettes or fireplaces
- Some perfumes and fragrances
- Pet dander
- Chemicals in cleaning products
- Chlorine in swimming pools
Action items: If you know you’re especially sensitive to specific environmental triggers, try to avoid them as much as possible. If you can’t, then wear sunglasses or goggles in the pool to shield your eyes. Apply artificial tears, prescription allergy eye drops, cold compresses and antihistamines to alleviate the irritation, but if you experience blurry vision or the pain persists, consult your doctor.
5. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis is a bacterial, viral, toxin, or allergy-induced inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, protective layer that covers the front of the eye. This condition, commonly referred to as conjunctivitis, is one of the most frequent eye infections and affects people of all ages. It causes one or both eyes to become red, swollen, watery and itchy. Pink eye is highly contagious and can be easily transferred from one person to another.
Action item: If you suspect you have pink eye, visit an eye clinic in Dubai as soon as possible. The doctor should be able to determine the cause of your conjunctivitis and prescribe the right treatment. Meanwhile, avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, or sharing towels or eye makeup with others, and wash your hands frequently.
6. Blepharitis
Yet another common cause of red eye is blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid. It occurs when the tiny oil glands on your eyelids get clogged and infected. A few things that can kick blepharitis into overdrive include:
- Allergy to contact lens solution
- Lice or dandruff on your eyelashes
- Bacterial growth on makeup brushes
Action item: As with conjunctivitis, consult your doctor immediately if you think you have blepharitis. They’ll likely prescribe eyelid scrubs, antibiotics, or steroid eye drops to treat the condition. Blepharitis is not contagious. Still, you should avoid sharing washcloths, pillowcases, or other items that come into contact with your eyes and maintain good hygiene habits.
7. Excessive Use of Eye Drops
This one comes as a bit of a surprise to most people, but overusing eye drops can also cause your eyes to redden. Some eye drops with ingredients like tetrahydrozoline HCL work by shrinking blood vessels on the eye’s surface to lessen redness.
However, if you use it repeatedly, it can reduce oxygen flow to your eyes over time, and even when you attempt to stop it, there will likely be a rebound dilation of the blood vessels, making your eyes look even redder.
Action item: Use eye drops only as directed, and don’t make a habit out of it. If you feel like you need to use them constantly, consult your doctor for alternative treatment options.
Eye Health Check-Up
Regular eye exams are crucial to maintaining stellar vision and detecting potential issues early on. If you experience any persistent redness, discomfort, or changes in your vision that don’t go away with these remedies, schedule an eye check-up as soon as possible.
