Red eyes what does it mean

About Foundation Museum of the Eye. Home Remedies for Bloodshot Eyes. Remedios caseros para los ojos inyectados en sangre. By Kate Rauch. Edited By David Turbert. Common symptoms that often go along with bloodshot eyes include: itchiness tearing burning These are some common eye irritants: pollen hay fever chlorine from swimming pools pets dust mold cigarette smoke perfumes To fight off the irritant, your eyes make a substance called histamine.

This can be a sign of infection that needs urgent medical treatment. These drops relieve irritation and wash allergens from the eye. Use these up to four times per day. If you use artificial tears more often, you should get preservative-free artificial tears. Use over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops , especially if you are prone to seasonal allergies.

Rarely, there can be tumors in the eye or on the surface of the eye. They can be tricky to spot on your own, especially since you may not experience symptoms. If you have unexplained eye irritation or vision changes, see an ophthalmologist right away. These drops work by shrinking the blood vessels on the surface of the eyes and reducing the blood flow to them.

But less blood flow means less oxygen and nutrients, too. So when you stop using the drops, the blood vessels get even bigger to make up the difference. It seems like you always have red eyes, and people are starting to notice.

However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma. Overexposure to sunlight without UV-blocking sunglasses. Lifestyle factors also can contribute to your red eye risk. For example, smoking tobacco or marijuana definitely can cause red eyes, as can significant alcohol consumption.

Sustained use of digital devices and insufficient sleep are other lifestyle-related causes of red eyes. Because red eyes have so many causes including some that are serious and require immediate attention , you should see an eye doctor right away if you have red, bloodshot eyes — especially if the redness comes on suddenly and is associated with discomfort or blurred vision.

Also, see your eye doctor before using "red eye remover" eye drops. Show references Eye pain. Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed Feb. Jacobs DS. Overview of the red eye. Ferri FF. E — Differential diagnosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Red or painful eye. Mayo Clinic; Pain in eye.