Red eyes refer to a condition in which the white portion of the eye, known as sclera, becomes reddened or “bloodshot.” The redness occurs when the vessels in the eye become inflamed or irritated. Redness in the eye can manifest in various ways ranging from the occurrence of squiggly pink dots on some part of the sclera to the development of lines in the entire sclera.
Red eye can happen in either one or both the eyes.
A few symptoms associated with red eyes are as follows:
Common causes of red bloodshot eyes
There are several allergens present in the environment that can trigger red eye. These allergens include the following.
Some serious eye conditions that can cause red eyes are as follows:
Few lifestyle factors can also trigger red eyes, such as the following.
Red eye treatment
Simple measures can help treat red eyes. Some of these measures are as follows:
These days, a range of different eyes drops is available in the market. However, eye drops can only be used occasionally. The chemicals present in these eye drops constrict the blood vessels in the eyes. This reduces the redness in the eyes. But, if you use them frequently or over an extended period, the eyes will become redder than they already were. Also, the vasoconstrictors, which minimize redness by contracting the eye’s blood vessels are addictive. So, it is best to use them only occasionally as a red eye treatment option.
It is seen that viral eye infections, which are common, tend to improve on their own, and do not require prescription treatment. Bacterial eye infections, on the other hand, require a proper course of antibiotics. However, both the types of infection are highly transmissible.
Seek medical help
It is best to get professional advice from an ophthalmologist, who knows what red eye treatment is the best for you. Red eyes are generally a short-term problem. If the problems persist for more than three days, you should seek immediate help.
Until you can consult your eye doctor for red eye treatment, wear your glasses so that the infection is not spread. In addition, moisten your eyes frequently with preservative-free lubricating eye drops to ease the symptoms.
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