Red eyes have many potential causes, from allergies and lack of sleep to eye irritation, subconjunctival hemorrhage, alcohol, sensitivities, conjunctivitis and even glaucoma; discover common reasons and possible remedies.
Okay, so red eyes—we’ve all been there, right? What causes that redness, and what can we do about it? Turns out, it’s not just one thing. We’re gonna unpack eight potential reasons why your eyes might be looking a little bloodshot.
- Causes of Red Eyes
- Allergies
- Lack of Sleep
- Eye Irritation
- Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
- Alcohol
- Sensitivity
- Conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Key takeaways
- FAQ, Myth & Facts
Causes of Red Eyes
Let’s run through some common reasons for red eyes:
Allergies
Allergies, uh, yeah they’re a biggie. They’re a super common cause of red eyes. People who have allergic reactions might find that allergies are to blame, because when allergens irritate, they cause the blood vessels in your eyes to become inflamed, which makes your eyes look red and watery. Makes sense, right?
Allergies also prevent enough oxygen from reaching the eyes and increase the secretion of tears and other fluids especially when exposed to things, like dust. Allergies, too, can increase the chances of contracting pinkeye.
So here’s whatcha gotta do:
- Avoid contact with allergens (obviously).
- Keep those peepers clean.
- Use lubricating eye drops if they’re feeling scratchy.
Lack of Sleep
Adequate sleep keeps the eyes moisturized and rested. Not getting enough can lead to red eyes, particularly if you’re already running on fumes. So if you’re not sleeping well, what happens is that your body reduces the amount of oxygen reaching your eyes which causes the blood vessels to dilate making them look red.
Plus, when your eyes are open for too long, they don’t get properly lubricated, and that leads to dryness and redness.
Best ways to hydrate your eyes:
- Get enough shut-eye.
- Use moisturizing eye drops.
- Apply cold compresses.
Eye Irritation
Eye irritation, or dryness, happens when your eyes are exposed to smoke or dust, and it can make your eyes red, cause them to itch, and make them feel kinda gritty.
This is a pretty common problem that can show up as little red veins, caused by bacterial infections, or sometimes it clears up on its own within days.
Don’t touch or rub them though. A visit to the eye doc might be in order to sort out what’s going on.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
A subconjunctival hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel bursts under the surface of your eye, creating a red patch in the white part of your eye.
It happens when, say, you strain too hard, or you get something in your eye, like dust. Or maybe you’re doing some hardcore weightlifting, or you took a shot to the eye during your weekly basketball game.
Usually the redness fades away on its own. No need to stress too much, and it doesn’t hurt or anything.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is another reason for red eyes, because it can cause a network of red veins to show up in the whites of your eyes, and that’s because alcohol dilates those tiny blood vessels. It increases blood flow making the eyes look red.
Eye drops can help reduce the redness, and usually a few hours after the last drink, your eyes will return to normal.
Sensitivity
It’s basically a natural reaction of the immune system when you’re exposed to something that causes sensitivity, such as:
- Pollen.
- Pet dander.
- Certain perfumes.
- Cleaning products.
To reduce sensitivity, try this:
- Wash your eyes.
- Use a cold compress on your eyes.
- Consider antihistamines, or specific eye drops.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is a bacterial or viral infection that can make one or both eyes red, pink, swollen, and itchy. It can also be pretty contagious and cause itchy eyes.
If you think you have a viral or bacterial infection, you need to see a doc who can prescribe the right meds.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, and happens when there’s pressure on the eye, which can cause damage and redness.
Red eyes specifically in glaucoma are one of the first symptoms in addition to other conditions like:
- Blurred vision.
- Seeing halos around lights.
- Pain in the eyes.
Often, glaucoma develops slowly. However, if vision changes and redness occur together along with other symptoms like headache, nausea, it could be an emergency.
Glaucoma can lead to blindness if left untreated, so it’s important to see your eye doctor if you have those symptoms.
Okay, so that’s the common stuff, the things that might make you go, “Ah, yeah, that makes sense.” But what about stuff that goes beyond the basics? I mean, are there certain nutritional deficiencies that can contribute to eye redness or dryness over the long term? And what about the impact of digital eye strain—we’re all glued to screens these days! How can we minimize that effect and keep our eyes happy?
Key takeaways
- Red eyes can be caused by a number of reasons from Allergies and lack of sleep, to eye irritation.
- Sometimes red eyes are the symptom of a bigger issue. You should contact a healthcare provider.
- There are many easy measures you can take at home to help relieve your red eyes.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Is it okay to use over-the-counter eye drops all the time?
While they can provide temporary relief, overuse can actually worsen dryness in the long run. Your eyes can become dependent on them, and the underlying cause of your red eyes might not be addressed. It’s best to use them sparingly and see a doctor if you need them frequently.
Can staring at screens really make my eyes red?
Yep. When you stare at a screen, you tend to blink less, which can lead to dry, irritated, and red eyes. Try to follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It helps a ton!
Are red eyes always a sign of something serious?
Not always. Sometimes it’s just a temporary irritation. But if your red eyes persist for more than a few days, or if you experience pain, vision changes, or discharge, it’s important to see a doctor.
I’ve had red eyes due to allergies every spring for years. I always thought it was just something I had to live with, but after reading about the remedies, I tried washing my eyes more frequently and using a cold compress. It’s made a noticeable difference!
I started getting red eyes after long hours working on my computer. Now I take breaks every 20 minutes to look away from the screen, and it’s helped reduce the redness and strain. It’s a simple change, but it’s been effective.
After a night out, my eyes are always bloodshot. I didn’t realize that alcohol was the cause, but now I try to limit my drinking and use lubricating drops the next day. It seems to do the trick!
So yeah, red eyes can be annoying, but now you have a better idea of what might be causing them and how to deal with them. Me? I’m gonna make sure I get a solid eight hours of sleep tonight!
