Red Eye: Common Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

That the eyes are the most sensitive and vulnerable spot on human body is often reminded to us in a rather irritable and painful way. A number of times, it so happens that we wake up to a red eye or just develop it in the course of a day, not knowing, in most of the cases, as in what actually led to such a development.

Eye inflammation, commonly known as red eye, is a problem that is mostly related to allergy or some kind of foreign body infection. It is usually a minor problem that resolves on its own within a day or two or requires simple treatment. But a prolonged incidence may indicate a more serious medical condition for which you should consult a physician and go for further diagnosis and medication.

Common symptoms of red eye:
Red eye, as the name suggests, are the red-colored eye(s), which happens when the blood vessels in the sclera (white portion of the eyes) are dilated and irritated. Inflammation in conjunctiva (the transparent membrane covering the sclera) can also cause redness, a condition commonly termed as conjunctivitis. The signs and symptoms of red eye comprises, painful blinks, constant itching and excessive swelling of the eyelid. Dry eye is also sometimes associated with red eye.

Causal factors:
The commonest yet the most potential causes of eye inflammation are:

• Accidental contact with allergens or common cold.
• Foreign body damaging any part of the eyeball
• Sand or dust particles causing scratches on the cornea
• Unusual bleeding
• Conjunctivitis

Other medical conditions that can cause inflammation in eyes include:

Glaucoma Blepharitis

Corneal ulcer Uvetis

Home methods for eye care:

• It may so, your eyes are fatigued. So, just try to rest your eyes for some time.
• Wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching the infected eye and then rubbing the other eye with the same hand.
• Apply warm and cool compresses within frequent intervals. Keep doing this for an entire day.
• Give your eyes frequent splashes of lukewarm salt water.

When to consult a physician?

• If the redness persists for more than 2 days
• If you are having excessive eye pain or vision changes
• If you are finding it difficult to keep your eyes open for long in bright light
• If you are having a constant headache along with a nauseating feeling
• If you are seeing halos around light
• If you think an object is stuck inside, and is not coming out in spite of splashing water frequently.

Prevention is the best medicine:

• Wash out any object or chemical from your eyes immediately. And do not use a piece of cloth for wiping it out, as we do most of the time.
• If you have come in contact with someone having conjunctivitis or red eye, wash your hands right away, even if you have not shaken hands.
• Do not pass your pain to anyone else. Do not share things such as towel, pillow covers or eye make-up objects that have touched your inflamed eyes.

Beware and be careful, and you can surely avoid having a long painful weekend with irritable red eyes.