What are the common causes of red eye and pain behind eye. How can you identify symptoms of subconjunctival hemorrhage. When should you seek medical attention for eye-related issues. What are effective treatments for various eye conditions.

Understanding Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: A Common Cause of Red Eye

Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a condition that often causes alarm due to its striking appearance, but it’s generally harmless. This occurs when a small blood vessel breaks just beneath the clear surface of the eye, known as the conjunctiva. The result is a bright red patch on the white part of the eye (sclera), which can look quite dramatic but typically doesn’t affect vision or cause pain.

Symptoms of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

• Bright red patch on the white of the eye
• No change in vision
• No discharge
• Minimal to no pain (possibly a slight scratchy feeling)

Are subconjunctival hemorrhages dangerous? In most cases, no. They usually clear up on their own within two weeks without any treatment. However, if you experience recurrent episodes or have other bleeding issues, it’s advisable to consult a doctor.

Common Causes of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

What triggers a subconjunctival hemorrhage? While the exact cause isn’t always identifiable, several factors can lead to this condition:

• Violent coughing or sneezing
• Straining
• Vomiting
• Eye trauma (e.g., rubbing eyes too roughly)
• Foreign object injury

Risk Factors for Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Certain conditions and medications can increase the likelihood of experiencing a subconjunctival hemorrhage:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Blood-thinning medications (e.g., warfarin, aspirin)
• Blood-clotting disorders

Pain Behind the Eye: Exploring Various Causes

Pain behind the eye can be a symptom of numerous conditions, ranging from minor irritations to more serious health issues. Understanding the potential causes can help in determining when to seek medical attention.

Common Types of Pain Behind the Eye

How does pain behind the eye manifest? It can vary widely, including:

• Dull aches
• Sharp, intense pains
• Deep pain inside the head
• Pain during eye movement

Additional symptoms may include tearing, light sensitivity, redness, and vision changes.

Eye Strain: A Common Culprit

In our digital age, eye strain has become increasingly prevalent. What causes eye strain? Several factors can contribute:

• Extended screen time
• Glare exposure
• Poor lighting conditions
• Long-distance driving
• Outdated eyeglass prescriptions
• Underlying vision problems

How can you alleviate eye strain? The 20-20-20 rule is an effective method: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Over-the-counter artificial tears can also provide relief for dry, tired eyes.

Migraines: A Complex Cause of Eye Pain

Migraines are a common neurological condition that can cause severe headaches, often accompanied by eye pain. What sets migraines apart from other headaches?

• Intense, throbbing pain (often on one side of the head)
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and vomiting
• Visual disturbances (aura)
• Pain behind or around the eyes

How can you manage migraine-related eye pain? Treatment options may include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, lifestyle changes, and stress management techniques. Identifying and avoiding triggers is also crucial in migraine management.

Glaucoma: A Silent Threat to Vision

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to abnormally high pressure inside the eye. Why is glaucoma called the “silent thief of sight”? Because it often progresses without noticeable symptoms until vision loss occurs.

Types of Glaucoma

• Open-angle glaucoma (most common)
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Normal-tension glaucoma
• Congenital glaucoma

What are the symptoms of glaucoma? While early-stage glaucoma often has no symptoms, advanced glaucoma may cause:

• Gradual loss of peripheral vision
• Tunnel vision in advanced stages
• Eye pain (especially in angle-closure glaucoma)
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Halos around lights

How is glaucoma treated? Treatment options include eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment, and surgery. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management of glaucoma.

Sinusitis: When Sinus Pressure Affects the Eyes

Sinusitis, an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses, can cause pain that feels like it’s behind or around the eyes. How does sinusitis lead to eye pain?

• Pressure buildup in the sinuses
• Inflammation of nearby tissues
• Referred pain from affected sinuses

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

• Facial pain or pressure
• Nasal congestion
• Thick, discolored nasal discharge
• Reduced sense of smell
• Headache
• Eye pain or pressure

How is sinusitis-related eye pain treated? Treatment may include decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, saline nasal irrigation, and in some cases, antibiotics. Addressing the underlying sinus issue usually resolves the associated eye pain.

Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the Optic Nerve

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. What causes optic neuritis?

• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Certain medications
• Unknown causes (idiopathic)

What are the symptoms of optic neuritis?

• Pain when moving the eye
• Vision loss in one eye
• Color vision impairment
• Flashing or flickering lights

How is optic neuritis treated? Treatment may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. In many cases, vision improves on its own within several weeks to months.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Eye Pain

While many causes of eye pain are benign and self-limiting, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. When should you see a doctor for eye pain?

• Severe eye pain or pressure
• Sudden vision changes
• Eye pain accompanied by fever or severe headache
• Eye pain following an injury or trauma
• Persistent pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter treatments
• Unusual sensitivity to light
• Visible changes to the eye (e.g., protruding eye, unequal pupil size)

How can you prepare for an eye doctor appointment? Keep a record of your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and any factors that seem to worsen or improve the pain. Also, make note of any recent changes in your overall health or medications.

Preventive Measures and Eye Health Maintenance

Maintaining good eye health can help prevent many causes of eye pain and discomfort. What are some effective ways to protect your eye health?

• Regular eye exams (frequency depends on age and risk factors)
• Proper eye protection during sports or hazardous activities
• Maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E
• Staying hydrated
• Getting adequate sleep
• Practicing good hygiene (e.g., not touching or rubbing eyes with dirty hands)
• Managing screen time and using proper ergonomics
• Quitting smoking or never starting
• Wearing sunglasses to protect against UV radiation

How can you reduce the risk of eye strain in the digital age? Implement the 20-20-20 rule, ensure proper lighting, maintain good posture, and use computer glasses if necessary. Regular breaks from screen time are also crucial for eye health.

Eye health is an integral part of overall well-being. By understanding the various causes of red eye and pain behind the eye, recognizing symptoms, and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can take proactive steps to protect your vision and eye health. Remember, while many eye conditions are benign, persistent or severe symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious underlying conditions.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye) – Symptoms & causes

Overview

A subconjunctival hemorrhage (sub-kun-JUNK-tih-vul HEM-uh-ruj) occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks just underneath the clear surface of your eye (conjunctiva). In many ways, it’s just like having a bruise on your skin. The conjunctiva can’t absorb blood very quickly, so the blood gets trapped. You may not even realize you have a subconjunctival hemorrhage until you look in the mirror and notice that the white part of your eye is bright red.

Broken blood vessel in the eye

A broken blood vessel in the eye may look alarming, but it’s usually harmless.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage often occurs without any obvious harm to your eye. Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel to break in the eye. You don’t need to treat it. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may look alarming, but it’s usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so.

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Symptoms

The most obvious sign of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red patch on the white (sclera) of your eye.

Despite its bloody appearance, a subconjunctival hemorrhage looks worse than it is and should cause no change in your vision, discharge or pain. Your only discomfort may be a scratchy feeling on the surface of the eye.

When to see a doctor

If you have recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages or other bleeding, talk to your doctor.

Causes

The cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage isn’t always known. The following actions may cause a small blood vessel to rupture in your eye:

• Violent coughing
• Powerful sneezing
• Straining
• Vomiting

In some cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage may result from an eye injury, including:

• Roughly rubbing your eye
• Trauma, such as a foreign object injuring your eye

Risk factors

Risk factors for a subconjunctival hemorrhage include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Certain blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and aspirin
• Blood-clotting disorders

Complications

Health complications from a subconjunctival hemorrhage are rare. If your condition is due to trauma, your doctor may evaluate your eye to ensure you don’t have other eye complications or injury.

Prevention

If the bleeding on the surface of your eye has a clearly identifiable cause, such as a bleeding disorder or blood-thinning medication, ask your doctor if you can take any steps to reduce the risk of a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

If you need to rub your eyes, rub them gently. Rubbing too hard can cause minor trauma to your eyes, which may lead to a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

7 causes of pain behind the eye

Pain behind the eye can result from eyestrain, migraine, dental problems, glaucoma, giant cell arteritis, and other causes. Treatment will depend on the cause, but applying cool or warm compresses may help.

Pain behind the eye is a nonspecific symptom as it can be associated with many different health conditions.

Common types of pain behind the eye vary from dull aches to sharp and intense pains. Some people experience a sharp pain behind while others have a deeper pain inside the head. Symptoms can also include tearing, sensitivity to light, redness, vision changes, or pain during eye movement.

This article examines the possible causes of pain behind the eye, treatments, alternative therapies, and when to consult a doctor if the pain persists.

Reviewing the possible causes for pain behind the eye may provide people with a better sense of the signs of discomfort and when to seek medical help.

There are as many as 300 types of headaches, including those that may cause pain behind the eye. The specific causes are known for only about 10% of headaches. Where a person feels pain does not necessarily correspond to what is causing it.

Many different health issues can cause pain behind the eye, including the following:

Straining the eyes can leave them feeling dry, tired, and blurry.

Research has shown that if a person stares at something for an extended time, they tend to blink less, so eyes become less moist. People should keep screens at a comfortable distance and take breaks from digital devices to reduce eyestrain.

The following may put people at risk of eyestrain:

• spending long hours staring at a screen
• being exposed to glare
• straining eyes in poor lighting
• driving long distances
• struggling to get by without glasses or an updated prescription when needed
• other underlying vision problems

Treatment

Giving the eyes a chance to rest and recover can do a lot to relieve pain behind the eye due to eye strain. People can use the 20-20-20 rule, which involves looking away to a distance of at least 20 feet for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

People may also try over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tears to help relieve dry, tired eyes.

Migraine is a common condition related to the brain that can often cause headaches along with extreme pain behind the eye. Migraine affects roughly 2 in 10 people, occurs in females more than males, and tends to run families.

Other symptoms

Migraine symptoms may also include visual disturbances, such as:

• shimmering lights
• zig-zag lines
• flashes of light

These disturbances may occur on only one side of the head and worsen with movement, exposure to sound, light, or strong smells.

Migraine headaches may also cause people to feel nauseated or experience vomiting.

Treatment

Doctors may recommend nonprescription medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

However, people with migraine often need prescription medications. These medications balance the chemical changes leading to a migraine and include:

• Imitrex
• Amerge
• Zomig

If migraine attacks are severe or happen frequently, a doctor may recommend taking daily medication like beta-blockers.

The best remedy to prevent migraine is to avoid triggers where possible. Common triggers include:

• certain foods, like aged cheeses and red wine
• food additives and artificial sweeteners
• hormonal imbalances, for example, during pregnancy or menstruation
• emotional stress or anxiety
• environmental factors, including smells, temperatures, sounds, or lights
• irregular sleep patterns
• poor posture
• dehydration
• certain medications, including sleeping pills or hormonal treatments

Doctors often misdiagnose sinus infection as migraine due to the overlap in symptoms and triggers such as weather changes. A person must consult a medical professional to determine the cause of any headache.

Other symptoms

Thick, discolored nasal discharge is a common symptom of a viral or bacterial infection in the sinuses.

Other symptoms may include:

• headaches
• facial pain
• a feeling of pressure
• an impaired sense of smell
• fever

Treatment

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat this type of infection if it is bacterial.

In some cases, doctors will use a CT scan to determine whether sinus disease or migraine is causing the pain.

This rare condition occurs when a potentially life threatening or a septic blood clot develops in the cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus is a vein running between the bottom of the brain to the back of the eye sockets. A bacterial infection often causes this condition.

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis can occur due to the following conditions:

• sinusitis
• dental infections
• pharyngitis
• tonsillitis
• other ear, nose, or throat infections

People with uncontrolled diabetes or receiving treatment for cancer may be at risk of developing cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Other symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• a severe, sudden headache
• pain or swelling around the eyes
• vision changes
• high fever

Treatment

Doctors tend to treat this condition with antibiotics and antimicrobial therapies, typically for 3–4 weeks. They should monitor patients’ conditions closely even after the discontinuation of antibiotics.

Other experts recommend anticoagulants to thin blood and therefore prevent further blood clots. Doctors typically prescribe these for several weeks to several months.

Doctors consider this type of treatment effective in slowing down the progression of blood cots and reducing the mortality rate. However, there is also some controversy surrounding anticoagulants as they can result in hemorrhage or bleeding.

Another option that doctors often prescribe is corticosteroids, as there is a potential benefit of reducing inflammation. Doctors do not recommend surgical interventions for the cavernous sinuses themselves.

In cases where the blood clot is septic and potentially fatal, a person may require hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit.

Three nerve branches run through the jaw and eye areas, meaning that issues with the jaw could potentially lead to pain behind and around the eye.

Dental and bite problems that can cause pain behind the eye include tooth infections and temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder, which is dysfunction in the jaw joint.

Other symptoms

If TMJ causes orbital eye pain, people may also experience:

• eye strain
• watery eyes
• sensitivity to light

Treatment

If doctors have ruled out other medical conditions causing pain behind the eye, they may recommend consulting an orthodontist to check jaw joints and bite.

Realigning the bite with custom-made aligners for the teeth, through orthodontic treatment, can reduce the stress put on the muscles and joints in the head and neck. This treatment may alleviate nerve pain and pain behind the eye.

The two types of glaucoma are primary open-angle and angle-closure.

Risk factors include a family history of the condition and other eye-related injuries or surgeries.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is where eye fluid does not drain correctly, causing damage to the optic nerve. However, this type of glaucoma is painless.

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when a person’s iris blocks the drainage angle where eye fluid leaves the eye. When this is blocked, pressure builds up quickly, and immediate medical attention is needed to protect the vision.

Other symptoms

Symptoms include:

• sudden, severe eye pain
• headache
• blurry vision
• nausea
• vomiting
• seeing halos around lights

Treatment

Medical treatment for angle-closure glaucoma may include eye drops or laser surgery.

A person must use daily eye drops to reduce eye pressure. While this treatment will help maintain the vision, there will be several side effects associated with this medication, including:

• a stinging sensation
• red eyes or inflamed skin around the eyes
• blurred vision
• eyelash growth
• breathing changes
• changes in energy levels
• changes in pulse and heartbeat

The type of surgery used for angle-closure glaucoma is an iridotomy. An ophthalmologist will create a hole in the iris using a laser to help eye fluid flow through the drainage angle.

This condition is a type of vasculitis, a group of rare diseases causing inflammation of the blood vessels. Giant cell arteritis (GCA), which is also referred to temporal arteritis, may cause the arteries in the scalp, head, and temples to swell.

GCA can also occur alongside joint pain disorder known as polymyalgia rheumatica. This condition is a cause of widespread aches and stiffness in people over 50.

Other symptoms

Symptoms of GCA include:

• a new, persisting headache
• fever
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• temporary loss of vision

Permanent loss of vision can occur in some cases, but appropriate treatment can prevent this.

Treatment

GCA requires immediate medical treatment to reduce the risk of loss of vision. The treatment usually involves high doses of corticosteroids, typically 40–60 milligrams (mg) per day of prednisone for a month.

In most cases, doctors reduce the dose to about 5–10 mg per day for a few months or up to a year. GCA rarely returns after treatment.

In 2017, doctors approved tocilizumab (Actemra) as an effective treatment for GCA as more people are in remission. Medical professionals can administer this drug intravenously on a monthly basis, or patients can self-administer an injection every 1–2 weeks.

The following complementary practices may help people find relief for headaches, which could include pain behind the eye:

• acupuncture
• massaging pressure points
• biofeedback therapy
• relaxation therapy

Home remedies

There are also some common home remedies to prevent or help relieve pain behind the eye, including:

• applying cold or warm compresses
• staying well-hydrated, such as through drinking herbal teas
• exercising regularly
• getting plenty of rest
• limiting alcohol and caffeine use
• relaxing muscles in a hot bath or shower
• avoiding noisy and bright environments
• reducing screen time
• using OTC pain relievers
• reducing stress where appropriate
• magnesium supplements, particularly in the case of migraine attacks

While some conditions improve with home care and OTC medications, other symptoms require prompt medical attention.

Signs that it is time to see a doctor include pain that:

• is severe
• gets worse with time, coughing, or movement
• is accompanied by fever, numbness, a stiff neck, slurred speech, confusion, or visual disturbances
• develops quickly
• is accompanied by a sore, red eye or sore, tender temples
• develops in people with impaired immune systems or cancers

The outlook for pain behind the eye depends on the cause. Doctors can use several treatments to treat the cause of the pain.

Specific causes of pain behind the eye, such as migraine, may be more likely if people have a family history of the condition. It is important to have frequent check-ups with medical professionals to discuss the risk and the signs to look out for.

Other causes, such as eye strain, may resolve with home remedies, including adequate rest and drinking enough water. Doctors may also recommend nonprescription drugs, such as ibuprofen. Alternative therapies may improve the outlook for certain eye conditions.

Some causes of eye pain could require a course of prescription drugs, including steroids, and in some cases, medical treatment and long-term care.

The location of the eye pain may not be related to the cause. A person should keep track of triggers and other symptoms that accompany the pain. This information will help a doctor make an informed diagnosis and provide suitable recommendations for treatment.

Red eyes: why, what to do? Treatment in adults, child

Red eyes – the main symptom characterizing not one, but several eye diseases . All these diseases are diverse and have completely different causes, but one symptom unites them – redness of the eyes.

1. What is red eye

2. Why are the eyes red

4. Red eyes – causes

5. What to do with “red eyes”

1. What is “red eye”

In ophthalmology, the phenomenon when red eyes are observed is called “Red Eye Syndrome”. It includes all diseases characterized by redness.

Redness of the eyes often combines with other eye symptoms that help to correctly diagnose and carry out successful treatment: swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation, soreness, visual impairment.

2 . Why are the eyes red

The redness of the eyes that we observe can only be due to :
1. Expansion of the vessels of the conjunctiva of the sclera (white of the eye) – 97% of all causes of red eyes
2. Rupture of the vessels of the conjunctiva – 3% of red eyes

In other words, if you observe red eyes in yourself, then the blood vessels of the conjunctiva of the sclera (whites of the eyes) are dilated or the vessel burst and a local hemorrhage occurred in the conjunctiva. This applies to redness of the eyes in both adults and children.

3. Red eyes – causes

The causes of vasodilation or rupture of the vessel are very diverse and we will try to systematize them and understand them.

The main causes of vasodilation and eye redness are:

1) Eye irritation due to environmental factors

2) Inflammatory process in the eyes

3) Inflammatory process in the body

4) Injury to the conjunctiva, burns

5) Increased blood pressure

6) Allergic reaction

7) Uncorrected refractive error

8) Violation of the closing of the eyelids during sleep

The causes that can lead to hemorrhage and redness of the eyes are limited and above all:

9) Increased blood pressure

10) Violation of the vascular wall, atherosclerosis

11) Injury

1) The most common cause of red eyes is irritation of the conjunctiva by external factors . These can be:

• dry indoor air, which leads to “Dry Eye Syndrome” with reddening of the whites of the eyes. In such cases, patients also complain of red dry eyes. Violation of the tear film requires its restoration, moisturizing drops, any drops of artificial tears, such as “Sistein”, “Natural Tear”, “Lacrisin”, “Lacrisifi”, Khilozar-dresser ^® can help. It is necessary to artificially humidify the air in the room in winter;
• dusty air in a room or in a city after emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Vizine can help, but clean air is ideal, it is recommended to use air purifiers in polluted rooms;
• contact lens irritation. Red eyes after the lenses indicate their incorrect selection, infection of the lens, or that the cornea under the lens is suffocating and lacks oxygen from the air. This usually happens with any extended wear lenses. To get rid of red eyes after lenses, we recommend one-day lenses or completely get rid of lenses with the help of laser correction, everyone who wears lenses for more than 15 years comes to this conclusion;
• being in a smoky room, tobacco smoke always irritates the conjunctiva. One recommendation is to avoid smoky areas;
• eye irritation chlorine after swimming . Very often, the eyes turn red after the pool, but this is not scary and the redness will pass by itself in a day or two in the absence of an irritant. “ Vizin ” can speed up the process. Vizin – constricts blood vessels and thereby reduces redness. At the same time, Vizin does not affect the very cause of redness of the eyes. You can also apply “ Then bradex “” or “ Dexamethasone “, which affect inflammation mediators and speed up the process of restoring normal eye color; If redness of the eyes after the pool is accompanied by pain and blepharospasm (squinting of the eyes), then it is necessary to show the eyes to the optometrist, since In addition to the usual irritation with chlorine, a corneal burn is possible.This happens very rarely, but it does happen.

2) Any inflammatory processes in the eye , as a rule, are accompanied by redness of the eyes. These can be:

• viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, the latter differ, in addition to redness, in abundant discharge of different consistency. With bacterial conjunctivitis, the eyelashes stick together, especially in the morning the eyes stick together. Viral conjunctivitis can only externally change the whites of the eyes, which become red. But, both are always accompanied by red eyes. First one eye turns red, then both. In addition to redness, conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by a feeling of “burning” or “sand in the eyes.” The cause of inflammatory redness of the eyes requires antibacterial or antiviral treatment. Eye drops such as “9” can help.0003 Tobradex “, “ Tobrex “, “ Dexamethasone “, “ Levomycetin “, “ Albucid “, “ Levofloxacin “, “Oftal moferon” ;
• keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) also leads to redness of the eyes and is also accompanied by severe pain when touching the eye. Treatment of red eyes with keratitis requires treatment in an ophthalmological hospital;
• uvititis (inflammation of the vascular membrane of the eye), and endofalmitis (inflammation of the vitreous body) are always accompanied by reddening of the eyes of varying intensity. A distinctive feature of redness during inflammation of the internal membranes is a combination of redness and pain. Treatment of red eyes with keratitis always requires treatment in an ophthalmological hospital;

3) Very often, redness of the eyes is accompanied by local inflammatory processes outside the eye : sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal sinuses), sinusitis (runny nose), otitis and even inflammatory processes in the teeth are often accompanied by “red eyes”. This is due to a single blood supply to the eyes and other parts of the head, the vessels anastomose (connect) to each other and infection, for example, of the teeth passes into the eye vessels, causing them to redden.
A general infection in the body, viral or bacterial, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, can also cause redness of the eyes, since due to the general blood supply of the body, the infection also enters the vessels of the eye. Often, with common infections, we observe a red eye in combination with swelling of the eyelid, since not only the conjunctiva is involved in the inflammatory process, but also the eyelids that swell.
To treat a red eye in such cases, it is necessary to eliminate the main inflammatory process from a specialist. After that, the redness of the eyes will disappear. If there is no secondary infection in the eye area (in the conjunctiva, choroid or cornea), a separate treatment for redness of the eyes is not required.

4) Even microtraumas can cause reddening of the eyes. Violation of the integrity of the conjunctiva activates the processes of regeneration and all the cells necessary for this are sent to the wound through the vessels. The increased flow of the necessary elements for regeneration causes the body to dilate the blood vessels and thus we observe reddening of the eyes after an injury.

Microtrauma can be caused by:
– increased hand friction
– contact lenses
– ingress of a foreign body (mascara, eyelashes, etc.) into the conjunctival cavity
– Adhesive contact causes redness of the eyes after eyelash extensions
– contact with the eye of any chemicals that can cause burns.
– We observe the same phenomena after a serious blow to the eye area.

5) High blood pressure interferes with blood flow. Vessels throughout the body dilate to lower blood pressure. Expansion of blood vessels, capillaries, we can observe before our eyes.

High blood pressure is a very common cause of eye redness.
Red eyes after a bath are also associated with an increase in blood pressure and exposure to dry air, as an irritating factor.

6) Allergic reaction of the body at the time of exacerbation is characterized by tissue edema and vasodilation, as a result of which we very often see red eyes during seasonal moments of allergy exacerbation. It should be noted that such redness is very difficult to differentiate from viral conjunctivitis.

Red eyes after contact lenses can also be caused by the body’s allergic reactions to contact lenses.
Treatment for allergic processes may include the use of drugs containing corticosteroid hormones, such as “ Dexamethasone “, “ Tobradex “, “ Maxidex “.

7) Uncorrected refractive error , most often in hypermetropia or presbyopia, is also often the cause of red eyes. With hypermetropia, the focus is set to a long distance and everything that is closer than 5 meters a person sees with a strong tension of accommodation. Constant excessive tension of the accommodative muscle often leads to redness of the eyes. A similar problem occurs with presbyopia, near vision impairment with age.
Full correction glasses or laser correction relieves eye fatigue and redness;

8) Red eyes after sleep are due to lagophthalmos .

Lagophthalmos is a condition where the relaxed eyelids do not close completely during sleep. There remains a small gap through which the conjunctiva dries up and, as a result, redness of the eyes after sleep. Treatment must be agreed with a specialist, temporary improvement can bring moisturizing drops at night;

9) A sharp increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) , especially with atherosclerotic changes in the vessels of the body, in addition to simple redness due to vasodilation, also leads to vascular ruptures – microstrokes in the conjunctiva. In such cases, we observe small red spots of blood, smears. Sometimes individual hemorrhages merge with each other and present a rather terrible picture of blood-filled eyes around the pupil and iris. Very intense red eyes. Controlling blood pressure for hypertension or reducing the amount of stress will get rid of red eyes. Red eyes in such cases do not require treatment and subconjunctival hemorrhage resolves on its own without complications in 2-3 weeks.

10) Often red eyes are a sign of atherosclerosis , when the sclerotic vascular wall cannot withstand blood pressure and breaks even with normal intraocular pressure. Consultation with a cardiologist is necessary;

11) Trauma , blunt or sharp object causes rupture of the conjunctival vascular wall, hemorrhage and, as a result, we can observe red eyes. Rather, get rid of red eyes, in this case, drops that improve the regeneration of the conjunctiva, such as Solcoseryl, Korneregel, will help.

5. What to do with “red eyes”

The most correct option is to contact an ophthalmologist.

If this is not possible, then after reading this article you need to think about what could be the cause of “red eyes” and try to eliminate this cause.

Frequently asked question, red eye, what drops can help if the red eye and the vessel burst?

It is possible to use drops aimed at vasoconstriction. Most commonly used Vizin and analogues Vizin – Vizoptik , Tizin .

However, you need to understand that these drops have only a temporary effect without eliminating the underlying cause that led to the reddening of the eyes.

With prolonged use of Vizin, addiction occurs to it and Vizin ceases to have a therapeutic effect.

If the redness of the eyes does not go away for 2 days or more, we strongly recommend that you see an ophthalmologist to find out the cause of the redness. After all, when the eye becomes red, you need to eliminate the cause of its redness, and not eliminate the consequence. Red eyes should be treated by a doctor.

In case of inflammatory processes, it is necessary to eliminate the infection, in case of injury, use drugs that improve the regeneration of damaged tissue tissue – the conjunctiva, in case of refractive errors, always achieve complete correction, in case of hypertension – monitor the state of pressure, in case of a foreign body of the conjunctiva, its removal is required, red eyes after contact lenses require eye treatment and lens replacement, etc.

It should be noted that hemorrhages resolve very slowly due to the small number of vessels in the sclera. Usually, after a hemorrhage, 2-3 weeks pass for the resorption of blood and the return of transparency to the conjunctiva, and the sclera of its white color.

Understanding how many causes of red eyes can be, we recommend that you conduct a examination and take the advice of specialists.

07/06/2021

author, Natalia Yatsinova

Causes of eye redness, how to choose eye drops for redness.

By Gary Heiting



1. Brief information
2. Causes
3. What to do

What is eye redness?

Eye redness (or red eyes) is a condition in which the white of the eye (sclera) is reddened or “bloodshot.”

The appearance of a reddened eye can vary greatly. It may look like there are a few short pink or red lines on the sclera, or the entire sclera may look diffuse pink or red.

Redness may appear in one or both eyes, and may be associated with several symptoms, such as:

In some cases, bloodshot eyes may have no symptoms other than redness.

Reddened or bloodshot eyes are very common and can be due to various causes. Eye redness
usually a symptom of other eye conditions that may be benign or
serious.

What causes red eyes?

The redness of the eyes is caused by dilation of tiny blood vessels located between the sclera and the overlying transparent conjunctiva of the eye. These tiny blood vessels (many of which are usually invisible) can swell due to environmental or lifestyle reasons or specific eye problems.

Eye redness is usually caused by allergies, eye fatigue, excessive contact lens wear, or common eye infections such as conjunctivitis. However, eye redness can sometimes signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma.

Eye redness occurs when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye dilate.

Environmental causes of reddened, bloodshot eyes:

• Airborne allergens (cause eye allergies)

• Air pollution

• 9000 8 Smoke (fire, passive smoking, etc.)

• Dry air (dry climate, aircraft cabin, office space, etc.)

• Dust

• Airborne vapors (gasoline, solvents, etc.)

• Chemical exposure (chlorine in swimming pools, etc.)

• Excessive exposure to sunlight (without sunglasses blocking UV radiation)

Common eye conditions that cause red eyes include:

• Dry eyes

• Eye allergies

• Conjunctivitis

• Wearing contact lenses

• Digital eye strain

include:

• Eye infections

• Injury or damage to the eye

• Recent eye surgery (LASIK, cosmetic eye surgery, etc. )

• Uveitis

• Acute

• Corneal ulcer

Lifestyle factors can also contribute to the risk of eye redness. For example, smoking (tobacco or marijuana) can definitely cause red eyes, as can heavy drinking. Constant use of digital devices and insufficient sleep are other lifestyle-related causes of red eyes.

How to cure reddened eyes

Because red eyes can have a variety of causes (some are serious and require immediate attention), if you have red, bloodshot eyes, you should see an optometrist immediately – especially if the redness comes on suddenly and is due to discomfort or blurred vision .

If there is currently no optometrist nearby, click here to find an optometrist nearby.

Also, consult your optometrist before using eye drops to “discolor red eyes”. These drops may contain vasoconstrictor drugs that constrict blood vessels. Constriction of the blood vessels in the sclera will make the eyes appear whiter, but if you use the drops to discolor reddened eyes frequently over a period of time, you may need to use them more frequently to avoid redness in the eyes.