What does red eyes mean?
The doctor pays attention to the nature of the redness. With conjunctivitis, predominantly the mucous membrane of the eyelids and the white become red, brighter towards the periphery, the vessels move along with the conjunctiva. Redness around the cornea, called pericorneal injection, is characteristic of keratitis, uveitis and glaucoma and is considered a more alarming sign. A bright red spot with clear edges is a hemorrhage under the conjunctiva. A limited area of redness occurs with episcleritis. It is important whether one eye is red or both, whether there is pain, discharge and changes in vision.
- Conjunctival redness - with conjunctivitis
- Pericorneal - for keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma
- Mixed
- Hemorrhage under the conjunctiva
- Local - with episcleritis and scleritis
- One-sided and two-sided
Possible reasons
The most common causes are viral, bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis. Irritation is caused by smoke, dust, wind, chlorinated water, cosmetics, prolonged screen time, and wearing contact lenses longer than expected. Redness appears with lack of sleep and after alcohol. A foreign body, corneal erosion and trauma cause redness with pain. Serious causes are keratitis, uveitis, scleritis, acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma, chemical burn. Sometimes red eyes accompany common diseases: autoimmune diseases, infections, thyroid diseases.
- Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Dry eye syndrome and blepharitis
- Irritation from smoke, chlorine, cosmetics
- Contact lenses
- Foreign body and trauma
- Keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma
- Chemical burn
Associated symptoms
Itching in the eyes, swelling of the eyelids and lacrimation, especially in the spring or upon contact with animals, indicate an allergy. Watery discharge, a gritty feeling, and a recent cold are characteristic of viral conjunctivitis, while thick yellow-green pus that sticks together on the eyelids is characteristic of bacterial conjunctivitis. Dryness and burning at the end of the day indicate dry eyes. Severe pain, photophobia and blurred vision occur with keratitis and uveitis. Sharp pain, rainbow circles, headache, nausea and dilated pupils are signs of an acute attack of glaucoma that requires emergency care.
- Itching and swelling of the eyelids - allergies
- Watery discharge is a virus
- Purulent discharge - bacteria
- Dryness and burning - dry eye
- Pain and photophobia - keratitis, uveitis
- Rainbow circles and nausea - glaucoma
What examinations are needed
The ophthalmologist checks visual acuity, examines the eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea at the slit lamp, and, if necessary, inverts the eyelid to look for a foreign body. Fluorescein staining reveals corneal damage. Measurement of intraocular pressure excludes glaucoma, and examination of the anterior chamber and fundus excludes uveitis. In case of profuse purulent discharge or a prolonged course, a culture is taken to determine sensitivity to drugs. If an allergy is suspected, an allergological examination is prescribed; in case of repeated uveitis and scleritis, tests are prescribed to look for systemic diseases.
- Visual acuity test
- Slit lamp biomicroscopy
- Fluorescein staining of the cornea
- Measuring intraocular pressure
- Culture of discharge from the eye
- Allergy examination
- Tests for systemic diseases in uveitis
What to do and how to treat it
If chemicals come into contact, immediately rinse your eye with clean water for at least 15–20 minutes and immediately seek help, if necessary, call 103. For mild redness from fatigue, rest, moisturizing drops, frequent blinking, and humidifying the air can help. Vasoconstrictor drops remove redness for a short time, and with frequent use they cause reverse dilatation of blood vessels. Hormonal and antibacterial drops cannot be used without a doctor's prescription. Treatment is selected for the reason: antiallergic drugs, antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral drugs, treatment of glaucoma and uveitis.
- Washing with water for a chemical burn
- Eye rest and moisturizing drops
- Refusal of lenses before examination
- Do not use hormonal drops on your own
- Antiallergic drugs as prescribed
- Antibacterial drops only for bacterial infections
- Hand hygiene and personal towel for conjunctivitis
