Red, irritated eyes not only feel uncomfortable, but people with eye redness often look tired and worn out. Though sleep deprivation may cause some redness, an eye condition may also be at fault. If red eyes do not improve within a day or two, a doctor should examine the eyes to determine the cause. Knowing the possible causes for eye redness may encourage a sufferer to have an eye examination and find suitable treatment to resolve the problem.
Allergies
Eye allergies not only cause itching and irritation, but they cause eye redness as well. Eyes often react to pollen or other allergens in the air, particularly in the spring, and when the eyes react, the response is a red, inflamed eye. Some people have serious allergies to dogs and cats, and eyes often react to pet dander. For some allergy sufferers, daily antihistamine tablets will not only relieve nasal allergy symptoms, but improve eye redness and irritation. Some people, however, must also use allergy eye drops to relieve eye symptoms. Many drugstores and pharmacies that carry over-the-counter allergy medications will also carry allergy eye drops. Eye doctors can prescribe stronger eye drops if necessary.
Infection
Eye infections may cause inflammation of the white of the eye, resulting in eye redness. Infections such as conjunctivitis, known as "pink eye," are extremely contagious and may cause itching and swelling of the eyelids. An infection that results from inflammation of the eyelash follicles, called blepharitis, causes red, irritated eyes. Uveitis and iritis occur when areas inside the eye become inflamed and infected. Most types of eye infections need prescription eye drops such as antibiotics or mild steroid drops, to relieve eye redness, irritation and other symptoms.
Broken Blood Vessel
If a blood vessel breaks on the white part of the eye, a bright red spot may appear called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Consider the skin on the rest of the body and how, when a blood vessel breaks under the skin, a bruise appears. Like the skin's reaction, the red spot on the eye is a bruise. Most people cannot feel or sense a subconjunctival hemorrhage since these broken vessels do not usually cause pain. The redness may last a few days, possibly longer as the eye heals. Most people do not require medical attention, but if vision changes or bulging appears from the site, contact an eye doctor immediately.
