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Red Eyes-Causes and Treatment

Calgary Optometry Centre answers common eye care questions:

Red eyes are one of the easiest things to see-either by you in a mirror or mentioned by another person. Red, bloodshot eyes are usually not a normal condition and a signal that something is affecting the eyes.

Causes of Red Eyes

Tiredness and Fatigue
This is a very common cause of red eyes. When the eye muscles and other eye parts get tired, more oxygen is needed to keep the eyes working. The blood vessels on the whites of your eyes need to widen to deliver more oxygen. This causes the classic "bloodshot eyes".

Environment
Environmental causes of red eyes are wide ranging. This type of red eye is actually a warning to get away or control the cause of the red eyes. Environmental factors of red eye include:

• Air pollution (smoke, dust, etc.)
  
• Air conditioning and heating
  
• Chemicals
  
• Sun (ultraviolet rays)
  
• Allergens (animal hair, mold, etc.)
  
• Contact lens wear (usually from over wear, dirty lenses and/or poor hygiene)
  

Eye injury
Most eye injuries are due to particles on the eye surface itself (eyelashes, foreign bodies, etc.) or trauma to the eye causing a scratch or cut on the eye. This type of red eye is one of the most irritating and can be associated with watery and light sensitive eyes. A unique type of eye injury causes broken blood vessels on the front of the eye that creates a bright red pool of blood appearance, yet causes no eye pain.

Eye infection and Inflammation
Eye infection is sometimes known as "pink eye". Most infections are bacterial or viral and besides the red eye, there can be watery or heavier discharge from the eye. Eye inflammation can sometimes be the result of medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or multiple sclerosis.

Treatment of Red Eye

The first step is determining the specific cause for red eyes.

DON'T

• Use eye whitening drops such as Visine. These drops have a medical ingredient to whiten the eyes, but this does not treat the cause. This will just keep a cycle of clear white and red eyes ongoing.
  
• Use expired eye drops or prescription eye drops that were given to another family member or friend as this may make the red eyes worse.
  

DO
Make an appointment at one of our clinics as our Optometrists have the proper training and instruments to look at your eyes and recommend the right treatment. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:

• Warm or cold compresses on the eyes
  
• Foreign body removal
  
• Artificial lubricant eye drops
  
• Medicated eye drops.
  
• Lifestyle changes-wearing sunglasses, more breaks from near work, humidifier, etc.
  
• Refit of contact lenses, adjustment of contact lens wearing schedule or changes in contact lens solution
  
• Referral to family doctor or a specialist for medical conditions