Red Eyes

Besides being unattractive, red eyes can be uncomfortable. Persistent redness in your eyes could indicate a variety of different disorders and conditions, including pink eye or the presence of a foreign object. If your eyes are red and irritated, contact Elena Nguyen, MD, and the team at ENvision Eye Care in Foster City, California. We can help you determine what’s causing your red eyes and find the best treatment for your condition. To learn more, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What are some common causes of red eyes?

Your eyes are sensitive organs, so they could become red for any number of reasons. Redness in the eyes typically arises from dilated blood vessels, but not all red eyes are the same.

It’s important to keep track of the redness and seek treatment if it worsens or persists. Some possible causes of eye redness include, but are not limited to:

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Allergies
• Dry eyes
• Foreign object
• Corneal ulcer
• Glaucoma
• Injury

If the redness in your eyes decreases quickly, a visit to ENvision Eye Care may not be necessary. However, if it persists or affects your vision, treatment is essential to prevent further damage to the eye.

What are some easy treatments for red eyes?

There are a couple of at-home treatments that you can try to reduce eye redness before seeking professional help. 

First, you should avoid scratching and rubbing your eyes to prevent them from worsening. Flushing your eyes with water can rid them of any foreign objects that may be causing the irritation and can prevent any further damage that could arise if you don’t take immediate action. 

If the redness and irritation persist, over-the-counter eye drops such as preservative-free artificial tears or allergy eye drops can help to alleviate some of your symptoms. Avoid eye drop brands that say “redness relief” because they may contain chemicals that can constrict the blood vessels in your eyes and make the irritation worse in the long run.

If these at-home remedies don’t work, professional help may be necessary. If you’re unsure, the team at ENvision Eye Care can examine your eyes and determine the cause of the inflammation.

When should I seek medical help?

If you experience additional symptoms with your red eyes, it could indicate a much more severe issue than allergies. You should call ENvision Eye Care or seek emergency care for your red-eye immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• Change in vision
• Vision loss
• Seeing halos around lights
• Eye swelling
• Nausea or vomiting
• A severe headache
• Light sensitivity

If you have one or more of these symptoms with your persistent eye redness or know that chemicals caused your eye irritation, you need professional treatment to avoid additional damage to your eyes.

If your eyes are red and you don’t know the reason, the ENvision Eye Care team can help you determine the cause and find the right treatment plan for your condition. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to put a stop to your eye irritation.