Reasons Why Your Eyes Are Red

Usually, eyes turn red because the blood vessels on the surface of the eye get dilated or inflamed. There are also multiple reasons to why the eyes could turn red. Some of these reasons are simple and could be easily treated while others are more serious. Red and/or itchy eyes could be the first sign of a condition that may have a real impact on your vision.

Here are some of the reasons why your eyes are red

Allergies

Allergies can trigger a blotchy kind of redness which only becomes worse if you scratch your eyes. Allergic reactions occur when the body’s natural immune system overworks or has an excessive response to a harmless stimulus. Anything can trigger a reaction but the most common allergies are dust, pollen and detergent. Try to figure out what caused your reaction and avoid coming into contact with it again. You can also make use of the over-the-counter eye drops that could counter allergies.

Pink eye

Pink eye is a non-medical term for conjunctivitis-a bacterial, viral or allergy-induced infection that leaves one or both eyes bright red, swollen, teary and itchy. Unfortunately, it easily spread but it rarely serious. If you have either viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, practice good hygiene to keep it from spreading to other people around you.

Too much alcohol

Alcohol’s effect on your eyes is when you had one too many drinks and you noticed your eyes become sported bright red spider veins in them the next day. Alcohol causes the tiny blood vessels on the eyes to dilate so more blood flows through them. Eye drops can help reduce the redness.

Too little sleep

Lack of sleep can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes, which in turn causes blood vessels in them to dilate and appear red. Also, if your eyes are kept open for a long time becauseof lack of sleep, it prevent the cornea from being well lubricated and this cause dryness and redness.

A stye

A stye is a small red bump that forms on your eyelid or bottom edge after an oil gland there becomes plugged up. They are mostly caused by bacteria. Fortunately, a stye doesn’t affect your vision. Getting rid of it requires waiting to let it out on it own.

Contact lens irritation

Contact lenses can prevent enough oxygen from reaching your eyes. If lenses are worn for a long time, they can cause redness, infection and in worst cases corneal ulcers. Clean your lenses properly and practice good contact lens hygiene. Make sure you take them out before falling asleep.