10 Common causes of redness in the eyes and what to do

The red eyes may indicate that the person is experiencing some irritation due to the drier environment, tiredness or due to the use of creams or makeup that may be causing an allergic reaction. However, redness in the eyes can also be caused by some diseases and therefore when this symptom is frequent one should go to the doctor to find out its cause and thus start the appropriate treatment.

When the person often has red and irritated eyes, it is recommended that you go to the ophthalmologist for an eye exam, as the person may also have visual impairment.

Most of the time, the use of appropriate eye drops is enough to relieve redness and irritation of the eyes, however in cases where there is visual difficulty, the ophthalmologist may recommend the use of prescription glasses or with anti-reflective lenses to control the symptoms.

Some common conditions and eye diseases that can make your eyes redden are:

1. Cisco or foreign body in the eye

The cornea can be scratched causing great irritation and redness in one eye due to the presence of a speck, grain of sand or eyelashes that may have entered the eyes.

What to do: In this case, washing your eyes with chamomile tea or artificial tears bought at the pharmacy can help to eliminate the foreign body, relieving pain and discomfort.

You should not rub your eyes, put your fingers in the eyeball, or put tap water to eliminate the foreign body from your eyes, as both fingers and tap water may contain microorganisms that can cause eye infection, aggravating the situation.

It is also discouraged to open your eyes in the pool or the sea, as these waters can be dirty and contaminated. In addition, the chlorine used to keep the pool clean can irritate the eyes.

2. Dry eye syndrome

People who work long hours in front of the computer, spend hours watching television or using a tablet or cell phone to use social networks or watch videos are more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome, an alteration that can make the eyes red and irritated, especially at the end of the day, due to the decrease in the amount of tears produced. Learn more about dry eye syndrome.

What to do: To relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, the recommendation is to blink more times per minute and drip a few drops of eye drops or artificial tears in the eyes several times a day, whenever you feel that the eye is dry and irritated.

3. Allergy to creams or makeup

Some people find it easier to have allergies, so they may have red, irritated and watery eyes when they use creams or lotions on their faces. The same can also happen when you use makeup, which is not hypoallergenic or has passed its expiration date.

Eyeshadows, eyeliner, eye liner and mascara are the makeup products that can most leave your eyes red and irritated. The sunscreen suitable for the body should not be used to pass on the face because it can cause allergy in some people, so the ideal is only to use the facial sunscreen on the whole face, but being careful not to apply it too close to the eyes.

What to do: Wash your face with cold water and completely remove the traces of creams and makeup and apply saline to your eyes, keeping them closed for a few minutes. Placing a cold compress can help deflate the eyes and soothe irritation.

The use of antihistamines such as cetirizine can be useful when even after these precautions the swelling and redness do not stop. However, if these symptoms persist even after this care, a doctor should be consulted.

4. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is the inflammation or infection of the membrane that lines the eyelids and the surface of the eye, in which case the symptoms include pain, redness and irritation that can affect only one eye. Foreign body sensation inside the eye and sensitivity to sunlight are also usually present.

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious, and often the other eye is also affected before the problem is resolved. This can be caused by viruses or bacteria and is often one of the symptoms present in other diseases such as Dengue or Zika, for example. However, allergic conjunctivitis is more common and is not contagious, being caused by the presence of a contact lens, for example.

What to do: The doctor may recommend the use of antibiotic eye drops in the case of bacterial conjunctivitis, but in viruses just use eye drops or artificial tears and be careful to keep your eyes properly clean. In addition, wearing sunglasses when leaving the house and when at the computer, tablet, cell phone or watching television can be a good option to feel more comfortable. Get to know some examples of eye drops for conjunctivitis.

To avoid transmitting the disease to other people, it is recommended to take great care in hygiene and always wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol, especially after cleaning your eyes or coming into contact with secretions. The child with conjunctivitis should stay at home and avoid going to school.

5. Scratch on the cornea

Corneal scratching is a very common condition that can make your eyes red and irritated. This can happen during a football game, for example, when being attacked by a cat or even when a speck or tiny stone enters the eye.

What to do: If the person has suffered a scratch on the cornea, it is recommended to wash the eyes with cold water and wait for a while before opening the eye. In addition, it is recommended to put an ice pack and protect your eyes using sunglasses and avoid entering the sea or the pool. It is also important to go to the ophthalmologist to see if there is any change in vision due to the scratch.

6. Blows or injuries to the eyes or face

Any blow to the face or the head, as can happen in a fall or in a traffic accident, can cause subconjunctival hemorrhage due to the rupture of small blood vessels in this region leaving a very red mark in the eye.

What to do: Cold compresses can relieve discomfort but no specific treatment is necessary because the redness resolves on its own. However, it is important to go to the doctor to see if there are any other injuries that need treatment.

7. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can make your eyes red, as well as causing headache and pain in the back of your eye. This disease must be diagnosed by the ophthalmologist after carrying out specific tests that measure eye pressure.

What to do: To control this disease that has no cure and thus reduce the risk of blindness, the eye drops indicated by the doctor must be used daily. In some cases it may be necessary to resort to surgery.

8. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that makes the eyes red and irritated in addition to the presence of small crusts that can make it difficult to even open the eyes upon waking. This is a common change and its treatment can be time-consuming, especially when it is caused by a change in the Meibomius glands.

What to do: The treatment of blepharitis consists of keeping your eyes always clean, so it may be necessary to wash your face with a neutral shampoo for children to avoid burning your eyes and then apply a soothing compress that can be made with chamomile tea.. However, when this is a resistant bacterial infection the ophthalmologist may recommend the use of an antibiotic ointment.

9. Uveitis

Uveitis that inflammation of the uvea, a part of the eye that is formed by the iris, the ciliary and choroidal body, which form the front part of the eye, left the eyes very red. This is usually related to other diseases such as sarcoidosis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and Behçet's disease. See more about uveitis.

What to do: Treatment for uveitis consists of reducing inflammation and scar formation through glucocorticoid eye drops indicated by the ophthalmologist.

10. Keratitis

The symptoms of keratitis are manifested through a small skin that covers the pupil, in addition to pain, redness, irritation, foreign body sensation and increased sensitivity to light. This is a common infection in hot and humid countries due to the entry of fungi present in leaves or flowers, for example.

A biopsy may be recommended by the ophthalmologist to identify the microorganism causing the infection and to start treatment with specific antibiotics that should be used as soon as possible to prevent vision loss.

What to do: The doctor should prescribe the use of eye drops and antibiotic ointments to apply daily to the eyes.

Warning signs to go to the hospital

It is important to go to the hospital when redness of the eyes is frequent and does not go away over time, as it may indicate brain impairment or serious eye changes. Therefore, it is recommended to go to the hospital when:

• The eyes were red from a puncture; You have a headache and blurred vision; You are confused and don't know where you are or who you are; You have nausea and vomiting; Your eyes have been very red for about 5 days; You have an object in your eye; You have a yellow or greenish discharge from one or both eyes.

In these cases, it is important that the person is observed by a doctor and tests are carried out to identify the cause of the onset of symptoms and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be started.

Also know the causes of pain in the eyes and how the treatment should be done