Bloodshot eyes are common when late nights are followed by early morning duties.
This is certainly one of the reasons, but irritated eyesother factors may contribute to the condition.
To gain a clearer understanding of the causes and treatments for red eyes, Fox News Digital consulted two ophthalmologists who provided eye-opening insights.
What causes bloodshot eyes?
When the eye becomes inflamed, the tiny blood vessels in the white surface of the eye (the sclera) swell, says Ushiwoma Abugo, MD, an ophthalmologist at Katzen Eye Group in Lutherville, Maryland.
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She noted that when this happens, the whites of the eyes appear pink or red.
Redness or bloodshot eyes can have a variety of causes.
When your eyes become inflamed, the small blood vessels in the white surface of your eyes swell, making them appear pink or red. (St. Petersburg)
“They can be a reaction to irritants such as pollen, pets, dust, smoke, or symptoms of medical conditions such as: Bacterial infectionviruses and corneal damage,” Abugo told FOX News Digital.
Here we will discuss some of the main causes in more detail.
allergy
when allergen When it gets into the eye, the eye responds by producing a substance called histamine, Abugo said.
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This causes the blood vessels on the surface of the eye to leak and swell, causing the tissue to become red, swollen, and itchy.
Dry eye
“Dry eye is a very common eye disease,” Abugo told FOX News Digital.
“When your eyes don’t have enough tears to keep them lubricated, they become red, the horizontal blood vessels on the surface of your eyes become more prominent, and they become swollen and inflamed.”
tired
There’s a reason night flights are called “red-eye.” Causes of bloodshot eyes include: tiredThe doctor said this is usually associated with dry eyes.
According to experts, a common cause of red eyes is allergies. (St. Petersburg)
“When you’re tired, your body’s natural tear and lubrication system goes awry, causing dry eyes,” she noted.
contact lens
Poor contact lens hygiene or poorly fitting lenses can irritate the eyes and cause redness.
Failure to properly clean and care for your lenses may lead to serious accidents. eye infectionAbugo warned.
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“Always care for your lenses as recommended by your eye care team, remove them as prescribed, and only wear lenses prescribed by a professional,” she advised.
eye infection
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as conjunctivitis, can be caused by germs and bacteria. virus.
The condition causes the surface of the eye to swell, making the eye pink or red in color, Abugo said.
Relief and prevention of eye redness
Dr. Michelle Andreoli, an ophthalmologist at Northwestern Medical School in Naperville, Illinois, shared tips for treating red eye at home with Fox News Digital.
Commercially available artificial tears can be used to combat inflammation and flush allergens from the eyes.
One eye doctor said to avoid using decongestant (anti-redness) drops because they don’t address the cause of the problem and may worsen the redness in the long term. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Andreoli advised against using decongestant (anti-redness) drops. “They don’t address the cause of the problem and may make the redness worse in the long run.”
Instead, she suggested using over-the-counter Antihistamine drip Relieve itchy eyes caused by seasonal allergies. (Be sure to consult a doctor before proceeding.)
Cold compresses can also provide some relief.
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To prevent redness, Anderoli said you should avoid smoke, smoke, pollen, dust, chlorine, or pet dander if they are known irritants.
She recommended washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, and washing your eyelids daily with a mild detergent.
“If you have an eye infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or other medications as appropriate,” he said.
When to see a doctor
Red eyes are very common and rarely indicate a serious illness, Andreoli said.
However, if your symptoms do not improve after a week of home remedies, we recommend seeing an eye doctor. diagnosis and treatment.
Contact lenses can cause redness in some people, especially if they are not properly cleaned and cared for. (St. Petersburg)
More serious conditions associated with red eyes include eye inflammation (called uveitis) and eye infections.
When this happens, additional symptoms such as pain, discharge, and blurred vision typically occur.
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“Untreated, eye infections can sometimes cause devastating damage, including: vision loss” Anderoli said.
“Fortunately, effective treatments are available to avoid this worst-case scenario.”
If you have red eyes with some degree of vision loss, contact your eye care provider immediately, the doctor advised.
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends everything. healthy adult Get an eye exam by age 40 to look for signs of eye disease.
Anderoli added, “Many eye conditions and diseases can be treated if caught early, but they often begin without any noticeable symptoms.”
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