Bloodshot Eyes – Should You Be Concerned?

You wake up in the morning ready to start your day, only to discover that your eyes are bloodshot. That might not be surprising if you stayed up late or had too many drinks at a party. But bloodshot eyes can also signal an underlying eye problem.

Why Do I Have Bloodshot Eyes?

When blood rushes to the front of the eye, the tiny red blood vessels on the white of the eye dilate and become visible. Bloodshot eyes tend to be caused by: dry eyes, irritants such as smoke, pollen and perfume, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and spending too much time in front of the computer.

Bloodshot eyes due to lifestyle and environmental irritants may disappear on their own, or you can try over-the-counter eye drops or liquid tears. If allergies are the culprit, oral antihistamines and antihistamine eye drops may relieve symptoms.

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye is another name for infectious conjunctivitis – an infection of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the eyelid and the front surface of the eye. There are two types: bacterial (symptoms include irritated eyes, swollen eyelids, eye discharge) and viral (cold or flu-like symptoms, runny nose, fever, itchy eyes). If you or your child are experiencing these symptoms, it's important to schedule a prompt appointment with an eye doctor.

Dry Eye Syndrome

If your eyes are chronically bloodshot you may have dry eye syndrome (DES). Signs of DES include dry, irritated eyes, burning or stinging, discharge, light sensitivity, a feeling you have something stuck in your eyes, blurred vision, and watery eyes. Dry eye syndrome is most commonly caused by a blockage of the tiny meibomian glands in the eyelids.

Uveitis

In addition to bloodshot eyes, if you also experience blurred vision, see floaters or your eyes feel painful, you may have an eye inflammation called uveitis. Left untreated, uveitis can lead to serious conditions such as retinal scarring, cataracts and vision loss.

Glaucoma

In rare cases, bloodshot eyes may signal the presence of glaucoma. When eye pressure suddenly rises, the eye's blood vessels become dilated and visible, making the eye appear red.

Bloodshot Eyes Won't Go Away?

Any time you notice bloodshot eyes or blood on the front of the eye, don't wait. Schedule your eye exam with our doctors at Grove City Vision Center in Grove City today.