Red eyes can happen after a long day, exposure to pollen, poor sleep, or hours spent looking at a screen. While eye redness is often temporary, it can also signal dry eye disease, an infection, or another issue that needs professional attention.
What causes red eyes?
Redness occurs when the tiny blood vessels on the white part of the eye become enlarged or irritated. The cause is not always obvious, especially when symptoms come and go.
Common causes of red eyes include:
- Dry eye disease
- Seasonal or environmental allergies
- Smoke, dust, wind, chlorine, or other irritants
- Extended screen use and eye strain
- Contact lens overwear or poor lens hygiene
- Lack of sleep
- Eyelid inflammation
- Viral or bacterial eye infections
- A scratched eye or foreign object
A small red patch on the white of the eye may be a broken blood vessel, called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Although it can look alarming, it is often painless and typically clears on its own. However, recurring red patches or redness with other symptoms should be checked by an eye doctor.
Could dry eye be causing your red eyes?
Yes. Dry eye disease is a frequent cause of red, burning, watery, or gritty-feeling eyes. It may seem surprising that dry eyes can water excessively, but irritation can trigger reflex tearing that does not provide lasting lubrication.
If redness occurs alongside burning, fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, or a feeling that something is in your eye, a dry eye evaluation and treatment plan can help identify the cause.
For dry eye related to blocked meibomian glands, TearCare® treatment uses controlled heat and manual expression to help restore normal gland function. Low level light therapy with the Equinox system from Marco is another non-invasive option used to help relieve dryness, irritation, and related symptoms.
When should you see an eye doctor for red eyes?
Temporary redness that improves after rest or avoiding an irritant may not be serious. Still, it is important to schedule an exam when redness is persistent, recurring, or accompanied by other symptoms.
Contact an eye doctor promptly if you experience:
- Eye pain or significant discomfort
- Sudden or worsening vision changes
- Light sensitivity
- Pus-like discharge or eyelids stuck together
- An eye injury or suspected foreign object
- Redness while wearing contact lenses
- Severe headache, nausea, or halos around lights
Avoid using “get-the-red-out” drops repeatedly. These drops can temporarily constrict blood vessels, but frequent use may lead to rebound redness and will not address the underlying issue.
Get answers for persistent eye redness
Red eyes are common, but they should not be ignored when they are painful, recurrent, or affecting your vision. A comprehensive eye exam can help determine whether dryness, allergies, contact lenses, infection, or another concern is behind your symptoms.
If redness does not improve or you have concerning symptoms, schedule an appointment for personalized eye care.
