Eye redness

Definition

Eye redness is most often due to swollen or dilated blood vessels. This makes the surface of the eye look red or bloodshot.

Alternative Names

Bloodshot eyes; Red eyes; Scleral injection; Conjunctival injection

Considerations

There are many causes of a red eye or eyes. Some are medical emergencies. Others are a cause for concern, but not an emergency. Many are nothing to worry about.

Eye redness is often less of a concern than eye pain or vision problems.

Causes

Bloodshot eyes appear red because the vessels at the surface of the white portion of the eye (sclera) become swollen. Vessels may swell due to:

  • Eye dryness
  • Too much sun exposure
  • Dust or other particles in the eye
  • Allergies
  • Infection
  • Injury

Eye infections or inflammation can cause redness as well as possible itching, discharge, pain, or vision problems. These may be due to:

  • Blepharitis: Swelling along the edge of the eyelid.
  • Conjunctivitis: Swelling or infection of the clear tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva). This is often referred to as "pink eye."
  • Corneal ulcers: Sores on the cornea most often caused by a serious bacterial or viral infection.
  • Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The cause is most often not known. It may be related to an autoimmune disorder, infection, or exposure to toxins. The type of uveitis that causes the worst red eye is called iritis, in which only the iris is inflamed.

Other potential causes of eye redness include:

  • Colds or allergies.
  • Acute glaucoma: A sudden increase in eye pressure that is extremely painful and causes serious visual problems. This is a medical emergency. The more common form of glaucoma comes on gradually and is long-term (chronic).
  • Corneal scratches: Injuries caused by sand, dust, or overuse of contact lenses.

Sometimes, a bright red spot, called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, will appear on the white of the eye. This often happens after straining or coughing, which causes a broken blood vessel on the surface of the eye. Most often, there is no pain and your vision is normal. It is almost never a serious problem. It may be more common in people who are taking aspirin or blood thinners. Because the blood leaks into the conjunctiva, which is clear, you cannot wipe or rinse the blood away. Like a bruise, the red spot will change colors (usually yellow) and then go away within a week or two.

Home Care

Try to rest your eyes if redness is due to fatigue or eye strain. No other treatment is needed.

If you have eye pain or a vision problem, call your eye doctor right away.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Go to the hospital or call 911 or the local emergency number if:

  • Your eye is red after a penetrating injury.
  • You have a headache with blurred vision or confusion.
  • You are seeing halos around lights.
  • You have nausea and vomiting.

Contact your health care provider if:

  • Your eyes are red longer than 1 to 2 days.
  • You have eye pain or vision changes.
  • You take blood-thinning medicine, such as warfarin.
  • You may have an object in your eye.
  • You are very sensitive to light.
  • You have a yellow or greenish discharge from one or both eyes.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam, including an eye exam, and ask questions about your medical history. Questions may include:

  • Are both of your eyes affected or just one?
  • What part of the eye is affected?
  • Do you wear contact lenses?
  • Did the redness come on suddenly?
  • Have you ever had eye redness before?
  • Do you have eye pain? Does it get worse with movement of the eyes?
  • Is your vision reduced?
  • Do you have eye discharge, burning, or itching?
  • Do you have other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or headache?

Your provider may need to wash your eyes with a saline solution and remove any foreign bodies in the eyes. You may be given eye drops to use at home.

References

Dupre AA, Vojta LR. Red and painful eye. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

Gilani CJ, Yang A, Yonkers M, Boysen-Osborn M. Differentiating urgent and emergent causes of acute red eye for the emergency physician. West J Emerg Med. 2017;18(3):509-517. PMID: 28435504 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28435504/.

Rubenstein JB, Spektor T. Conjunctivitis: infectious and noninfectious. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.6.

Review Date: 8/22/2022
Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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