If you’ve spent all day staring at your computer screen, dealing with seasonal allergies, or simply not getting enough sleep, those red lines creeping across the whites of your eyes are your body’s warning signal that something is not right. Have you ever looked into the mirror and been surprised by bloodshot eyes staring back at you? Red eyes are annoying, uncomfortable, and sometimes even scary.
The good news is that most causes of red eyes are temporary and are easy to take care of. From computer eye strain to irritated contact lenses, understanding what is causing your red eyes is the key to improving your condition and finding relief. Simple home solutions and lifestyle changes usually work the trick, but knowing when to visit an optometrist can prevent further complications.
In this post, we’ll investigate the most likely culprits behind those red eyes: causes and treatment and offer some practical solutions to help you get back to seeing comfortably and clearly. Your eyes work tirelessly every day, they deserve receive a some special treatment when they’re in discomfort. So what causes those annoying red eyes, and what can you do about it?
What are red eyes?
Before we look at the causes of red veins in eyes, let’s take a look at what red eyes are. Red eyes happen when the tiny blood vessels on the white part of your eye (sclera) swell up or become inflamed. This makes them visible and in turn makes your eyes look like they are bloodshot. Your eyes can feel watery, itchy, or even dry together with the redness. Your vision can become blurry sometimes too. While it’s often not a serious condition, red eyes are the way your body tells you something is wrong with your eyes.
Consider red eyes like checking your car’s engine light, they’re warning that something needs attention and must be addressed. The whites of your eyes should not look like a roadmap of small red lines. When your eyes are healthy, those blood vessels are hardly seen. But when something irritates them, they swell up and become more visible, making the whites of your eyes pink or red.
Red eyes can affect one eye or both your eyes and can develop gradually or surprise you with sudden bloodshot eyes. The redness can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as burning, itching, sensitivity to light, or a gritty feeling, as if sand is in your eye. These additional symptoms often indicate what is causing the redness to begin with.
Common Causes of Red Eyes
Digital Eye Strain
Do you often spend long hours staring at screens? When we look at computers, phones, or tablets, we blink less frequently, sometimes just one-third of the time we normally would. This can dry out your eyes, making them get red and irritated. The blue light from screens might make things worse by causing additional eye fatigue.
Allergies
Seasonal allergies are notorious for causing red eyes. When pollen, pet dander, dust, or mold spores trigger an allergic response, your body releases histamines that open up blood vessels in your eyes. That’s why red, itchy eyes usually go along with sneezing and a runny nose during allergy season.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Your eyes need tears in order to stay comfortable and healthy. If you do not produce enough tears or if they evaporate too quickly, your eyes will dry out. This is particularly normal as we age, for those who wear contact lenses, and for those taking certain medications. Dry eyes burn and look red.
Contact Lens Problems
If you wear contacts, you might be used to having red eyes. Leaving lenses in for extended periods of time, failing to clean them adequately, or using old contacts can all irritate your eyes. Sometimes, your eyes are simply reminding you that they want a break from contacts.
Lack of Sleep
Do you notice that your eyes look redder after staying up late? When you don’t get enough sleep, your eyes don’t get a chance to rest and recover. Blood vessels can dilate, making your eyes appear red and puffy.
Environmental Irritants
Smoke, swimming pool chlorine, air pollution, and even winds can irritate your eyes and make them red. Your eyes are sensitive and respond quickly to environmental factors.
Eye Infections
Conjunctivitis (pink eye), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), and other infections may result in pronounced redness with discharge, crusting, and discomfort. Such conditions may need medical attention.
High Blood Pressure
Red eyes sometimes mean that your blood pressure is up. Tiny blood vessels in your eyes can indicate what’s going on in your body.
Alcohol or Cannabis Use
Both alcohol and cannabis cause blood vessels, including the ones in your eyes, to dilate. This is why eyes become red after drinking or using these substances.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
This scary-sounding condition is usually harmless, it happens when a tiny blood vessel bursts under the clear surface of your eye. It looks like a bright red dot and typically appears after coughing, sneezing, or straining your eyes.
How to Get Rid of Red Eyes
How to get rid of red eyes fast
If you need to eliminate red eyes in a hurry, these tips can come in handy. Eye drops which are used to “get the red out” contain vasoconstrictors that actually shrink the blood vessels. They work quickly but should not be used continuously because they cause rebound redness. Cold compresses work too – simply wet a clean cloth with cold water, squeeze it out, and place it over your closed eyes for 5-10 minutes.
For Digital Eye Strain
Adopt the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Place your screen at arm’s length and a bit below eye level. You should also consider computer glasses with anti-glare coating, and don’t forget to blink.
Allergy Solutions
Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops can provide relief from allergy-related redness. It helps to avoid allergens when possible too. If seasonal allergies trouble you, try keeping your windows closed during high pollen days and showering before bed to rinse away allergens.
For Dry Eyes
Artificial tears can supplement your natural tear supply. Using a humidifier in dry climates adds moisture to the air as well as staying hydrated with water which helps your body produce tears. For chronic dry eyes, talk to your doctor about prescription medications like cyclosporine drops that boost tear production.
Contact Lens Care
Always wash your hands before handling contac, clean as instructed and replace lenses as scheduled. It helps to take a break from your eyes by wearing glasses for a few days. If redness persists, your optometrist might recommend an alternative lens or solution.
Lifestyle Changes
Getting enough rest enables your eyes to be recover from strain. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and walnuts) and antioxidants (like brightly colored vegetables and fruit) supports good eye health. Drinking lots of water keeps your eyes, not to mention your entire body, hydrated.
When to See a Doctor
If redness is accompanied by pain, changes in vision, sensitivity to light, or discharge, it’s time to consult your eye doctor. Also, consult a doctor if eye redness lasts more than a few days despite using home remedies. Certain red eye causes require prescription treatment, particularly if an infection is suspected.
How to Prevent Red Eyes From Recurring
• Wear sunshades when going outdoors to protect your eyes from UV rays and irritants.
• Wear goggles while swimming or doing dusty, windy work.
• Do not share eye makeup and towels because they can transfer infections.
• Don’t forget to replace eye makeup every 3-6 months to prevent bacterial buildup.
Don’t forget that your eyes are extremely valuable and worth of proper care. Most of the causes of red eyes can be treated in the comfort of your own home, but if something feels off, don’t hesitate to see a professional. With proper care, those shiny, whites will be back in no time.
What red eye remedy has worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments section.
