Dry, red, sore eyes can be both uncomfortable and irritating. Red eyes occur from dilated blood vessels in your eyes. Dry and sore eyes typically occur when your tear production isn't sufficient to moisturize your eyes. Your eyes may experience dryness, redness and soreness all at the same time as a reaction to an injury, an irritating substance or an eye disorder. Although common causes for these symptoms exist, a healthcare provider may assist in diagnosing and treating your condition.
Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common causes of dry, red, sore eyes. Allergies occur from abnormal immune system responses to generally harmless substances. Your immune system mistakenly identifies some substances, such as dust, pollen and pet dander, as dangerous and attempts to defend your body from them. As a result of this immune system response, you experience unpleasant symptoms. Approximately 30 to 50 percent of Americans experience allergy symptoms, and about 75 percent of these symptoms affect the eyes, notes AllAboutVision. Eye allergies typically, but not always, accompany nasal allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose.
Pink Eye
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a common disorder among children and adults. It can develop from a bacterial or viral infection, allergens or irritants. Pink eye is also very contagious and can spread rapidly from person to person. Depending on the cause of pink eye, the infection may clear on its own or require medical treatment. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that a viral case of pink eye generally lasts from one to two weeks and goes away on its own, whereas a bacterial case typically requires antibiotic treatment. The most common symptoms of pink eye include dry, itchy and gritty eyes; burning sensations; redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid; increased sensitivity to light; increased tear production; and discharge.
Environmental Conditions
Dry, red, sore eyes may be a reaction to harsh environmental conditions. Sun exposure, for example, is a common cause of eye problems. An often-overlooked health concern is how the sun damages parts of the body other than the skin. The KidsHealth website notes that even one day in the sun can lead to a burned cornea, which is the outermost, clear membrane layer of the eye. Further damage from the sun may also lead to clouding of the eyes and blurred vision, also called cataracts, later in life. Other environmental conditions that play a role in dry, red, sore eyes include smog, wind, chemicals, bright lights and blowing dust.
