Red eye is a condition that occurs to nearly every person at some point in their life. If a patient has red eye, it means that the sclera, which is normally the “white of the eye”, appears red. Most red eye cases are from other eye diseases or injury to the eye, however there are dozens of reasons for a red eye.
Diagram showing the typical appearance of a red eye. The blood vessels on the sclera are more prominent than usual.
Is red eye a serious condition?
There are many different reasons why red eye can occur. Most of the time, red eye is not an emergency and can be treated easily. However, there are times when red eye may be a sign of a more serious eye disease that must be treated immediately. Thus, it is a good idea to see a doctor if you have a red eye you are worried about.
How do I know if a red eye is an emergency?
Generally, it is a good idea to have all red eyes checked by a doctor. Signs suggesting that a red eye may be an emergency are pain and loss of vision; however, the absence of either of these symptoms does not mean that it is not an emergency.
What are some common causes of red eye?
There are many reasons why the blood vessels in the eye can become irritated and give the eye a red appearance. These include, but are not limited to:
• Dry eye • Excessive sun exposure • Dust • Foreign bodies • Drug abuse • Hangover • Allergic reactions • Infection/’pink eye’ • Inflammation of the eye or eyelids • Injury to the eye • Glaucoma
How is a red eye treated?
Because of the large variety of causes for red eye, there is no specific treatment for red eye. Some cases require no treatment at all, while other cases would require emergency treatment.
Sometimes, red eye may be due to a dry eye. A dry eye can be treated by placing plugs into the holes where the tears drain, as shown in the diagram.
