When to See a Specialist for Red Eyes

Red eyes can come from a number of different causes, all of which make the eye look “bloodshot.” Some of these causes are minor annoyances, while others are serious conditions. That’s why it’s important to know when to seek medical help.

The expert team of ophthalmologists at Retina Specialists diagnoses and treats a wide range of causes of red eyes at our offices in Dallas, DeSoto, Plano, Mesquite, and Waxahachie, Texas. Understanding what can lead to the problem can help you determine when to schedule an appointment. We’re addressing the topic in this month’s blog.

What causes red eyes?

“Red eye” is an umbrella term for red, irritated, bloodshot eyes. The redness occurs because the small blood vessels beneath the eye’s surface increase in size or become inflamed, usually due to something irritating the eye.

Red eye can develop over time or occur suddenly, such as with an allergic reaction or an eye injury. In most cases, a red eye looks worse than it feels. Many of the underlying causes are relatively innocuous and usually improve with home remedies or over-the-counter treatments, but some require medical attention.

Two common causes of redness are eye infections and inflammation. In addition to the redness, they may present with itching, discharge, pain, or vision problems. Common examples include:

Blepharitis

This is a swelling along the edge of the eyelid. The edge, as well as the sclera (white part of the eye), may appear red.

Conjunctivitis

This condition may be caused by a virus, a bacterium, or an allergy, and it produces swelling or infection of the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the surface of the eye. The condition is often called “pink eye.” If it’s bacterial, it can be treated with antibiotics.

Corneal ulcers

These deep sores that appear on the cornea are most often caused by a serious bacterial or viral infection. They need urgent treatment to prevent vision loss.

Uveitis

The uvea is the part of the eye containing the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. When any of these structures of the eye becomes inflamed, it’s called uveitis. Generally, the cause of the inflammation isn’t known; it could be related to an autoimmune disorder, infection, or even exposure to toxins. Uveitis produces the most redness when just the iris is inflamed, called iritis.

Other common causes of eye redness include:

Colds or allergies

This type of redness isn’t serious and resolves when the virus or allergy has run its course.

Acute glaucoma

Unlike the more common form, which has a gradual onset and produces a chronic condition, acute glaucoma results from a sudden increase in eye pressure. In addition to redness, acute glaucoma is extremely painful and causes serious visual problems. This is a medical emergency.

Corneal scratches

The surface of the eye can be scratched by sand grains, dust, or even wearing contact lenses too much. Removal of the object resolves the redness and pain.

As we’ve seen, redness can be nothing major, or it can reflect a serious underlying problem. Generally, if your eye remains red for more than a week, or if you have pain or vision problems associated with the redness, call Retina Specialists ASAP at any of our five Dallas-area locations so we can check it out and determine how to resolve the problem, which may include referring you to a general ophthalmologist or a specialist.