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Red Eye |
Red eyes are caused by enlarged, dilated blood vessels, leading to the
appearance of redness on the surface of the eye. There are many possible causes
of a red eye or eyes. Some are cause for concern; some are medical emergencies.
Others are of no consequence or concern at all. The degree of redness or
appearance of blood usually does not correlate to how serious the situation is.
It is generally more important whether you also have eye pain or impaired
vision. Bloodshot eyes appear red because the vessels in the surface of the
white portion of the eye (sclera) become enlarged and irritated.
Common causes of red eyes are:
Infections of the surface of the eye (e.g. conjunctivitis)
Allergies of the eye (vernal conjunctivitis/hay fever)
Uveitis (inflammation of the vascular coat of the eye)
Acute glaucoma (very rare in a child)
One common cause of a red eye is straining or coughing. This can lead to a
bright red, uniformly dense bloody area on the sclera. This is called a
subconjunctival hemorrhage. Although this bloody area may appear alarming, it is
a fairly common occurrence and of little significance. If you notice a bloody
blotch in one eye that doesn't hurt, but just looks bad, don't worry. It
generally clears up on its own within a week or two.
Red Eyes - Introduction | Vernal
Conjunctivitis | Infective
Conjunctivitis
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