Do you ever wake up in the morning and feel like your eyes are on fire and red in color? Does your face feel heavy and your vision blurry? If so, you may be suffering from red eyes. 

This can be caused because of various conditions. In this blog post, you will see the causes of Red Eyes and how.

to treat them. So, if you’re looking for relief from those red, irritated eyes, read on!

What Are Red Eyes?

Red eyes, also known as bloodshot eyes, happen when small blood vessels of the eye grow in size and get congested with blood. Red eye is a serious medical condition when there is also pain, watering, dryness, and impaired vision in the eye. 

Keep reading to know more about what are the symptoms of Red Eyes, their causes, and treatment. So, let’s get started.

What Are The Symptoms Of Red Eyes?

If you’re experiencing this, it can be due to various conditions. It’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms that accompany your red eyes in order to get a better idea of what’s going on. Here are some of the common symptoms of red eyes:

1. Eye pain
2. Itchiness
3. Eye discharge of mucus or pus 
4. Swollen eyes 
5. Blurred vision
6. Sensitivity to light
7. Dryness 

In case you witness any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor to determine the cause of your red eyes. You can visit PVRI – the best eye hospital in Hyderabad.

Treatment may include prescription drops, antihistamines, or lubricating eye drops. No matter what the cause is, it’s important to get the proper treatment for your red eyes.

What are the causes?

From minor irritations to more serious underlying medical conditions, it can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the more common causes include:

• Eye allergies – Allergies are one of the most common causes of red eyes that make eyes look red and swollen. It also causes itchiness, burning, and tearing in your eyes. When your eyes come into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as dust mites, pollen, or pet dander, your body releases a chemical called histamine which causes the blood vessels in your eyes to dilate, resulting in redness.

• Dry eyes – In case your eyes are not producing enough tears, they can become dry and irritated, leading to redness. Dry eyes can be caused by a number of things, including air conditioning, contact lenses, certain medications, and aging.

• Conjunctivitis – Conjunctivitis is also called Pink eye. It occurs due to the inflammation of the Conjunctiva.  Due to inflammation, the white color of the eye turns to red or pink. You will also feel a discharge of mucus or pus. It is a contagious condition if it occurs due to viral or bacterial infection. 

• Blepharitis – It occurs due to inflammation in the eyelids that causes red eyes. It can lead to loss of eyelashes, blurred vision, and eyelashes growing in the wrong direction. Light sensitivity is one of the symptoms. 

• Uveitis – It occurs due to inflammation of the Uvea. Inflammation and eye floaters lead to red eyes. If treatment is not taken in time it can lead to permanent vision loss. 

• Tiredness – When your eyes get tired, they tend to become red and irritated more easily. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try to get more rest and reduce the amount of time you spend looking at screens.

• Subconjunctival hemorrhage – When a blood vessel in the eye breaks and blood leaks to the eye surface, it is called Subconjunctival hemorrhage. It can be caused due to hard rubbing of the eyes, intense coughing, vomiting, and eye injury. You are more at risk if you suffer from diabetes or hypertension.

• Additional causes are excessive alcohol consumption, eye irritation due to sun exposure, and skin conditions that affect cheeks, nose, and eyes. Eye condition in which eyelashes grow inside and cause eye irritation.

What are the precautions to be taken? 

You can take the following precautions if you observe symptoms of red eyes and get treated at home:

• Apply cool compresses on your eyes frequently during the day. It can reduce redness, swelling, and pain. 

• If cool compresses aren’t working, apply warm compression for a minimum of 10 minutes.

• Avoid contact with natural irritants like smoke, chemical fumes, and pollen. 

• Wash your hands several times a day. Avoid touching your eyes even if you feel itchiness. 

• Don’t wear makeup and contact lenses. 

• Too much screen time can lead to dry eyes and eye strain. So, it is better to reduce your screen time.

• Artificial tears also help in washing away irritants and reducing red eyes. 

What are the treatments?

They are mostly harmless and may go away in 1-2 days without treatment. 

But sometimes it can lead to serious health conditions and demand proper treatment. Therefore, primarily you have to take home-care treatment if you see symptoms.

But if your red eye is causing you extreme discomfort and pain, then you should visit an eye hospital near you and get proper treatment. 

Doctors can examine your condition and prescribe the correct treatment for your eyes. Moreover, they can either suggest an eye drop or antimicrobial medication. A laser procedure is suggested in case of acute angle closure.