Do you sometimes wake up with red eyes and wonder why? Red eyes are a frequent issue that can happen to people of all ages. It can make your eyes look irritated, tired, or even sick. The following are some of the usual reasons for red eyes and how to deal with them.
Allergies can cause red eyes and make your eyes itch, burn, water, or swell. They can also make your eyes more sensitive to light and dust. Your immune system responds to things it considers harmful, including those that cause eye allergies. Some common triggers of eye allergies are pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, cosmetics, and perfumes.
To treat eye allergies effectively, avoid the triggers as much as possible. You can also use artificial tears, cold compresses, or antihistamine eye drops to relieve the symptoms. You might need prescription medication or allergy shots from your doctor if your allergies are severe.
Another common cause of eye redness is dry eyes. Dry eyes occur when your eyes fail to produce adequate tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can make your eyes feel dry, scratchy, or gritty. It can also cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light.
Common triggers for dry eyes include aging, contact lenses, computer use, air conditioning, heating, smoking, and medications.
The best way to address dry eyes is to use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears. You can also use a humidifier, blink more often, or take breaks from screen time. If your dry eyes are severe, you may need prescription medication or special devices from your eye doctor.
Another common cause of eye redness is infections. Infections can make your eyes swollen, painful, or discharge pus. They might also harm your vision or infect other parts of your body.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that get into your eyes through contact with infected objects or people cause eye infections. Some common eye infections are pink eye, eyelid infection, eyelid lump, cornea infection, and eye inflammation.
It would be best to use antibiotic eye drops or ointments that your doctor prescribes to treat eye infections effectively. You should also avoid touching your eyes, sharing makeup or towels, or wearing contact lenses until the infection clears up.
Glaucoma, iritis, scleritis, corneal ulcer, and trauma are rare but serious causes of eye redness. These issues can cause severe pain, vision loss, or permanent eye damage. They require immediate medical attention and treatment.
Keep your eyes healthy and avoid anything that can irritate them. Follow these tips to help you with that:
Wear sunglasses when outdoors
Wash your hands before touching your eyes
Remove your contact lenses before sleeping
Clean your contact lenses properly
Replace your contact lenses regularly
Choose hypoallergenic makeup and skincare products
Drink enough water and eat a balanced diet
Get enough sleep and rest
Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor if you experience any of these signs or symptoms:
Severe pain or discomfort in your eyes
Blurred vision or loss of vision
Sensitivity to light or glare
Fever or other signs of infection
Eye redness that does not improve after a few days
Eye redness that is accompanied by other eye problems
Eye redness is a common problem that can have many causes. You can treat most of them at home, but some are serious and require an eye doctor’s help. You should visit an eye doctor immediately if your eye redness does not improve or worsens.
For more on eye redness, visit Today’s Vision at our Laguna Niguel, California office. Call (949) 518-0055 to schedule an appointment today.