What Causes Red Eyes?

By albert

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Red eyes refer to a condition in which the white part of the eye, also called sclera appears red. A closer look at the sclera may reveal tiny red lines or the entire white of the eye may be pinkish or bloodshot. The condition is fairly common, affecting both male and female. It may affect one or both eyes at once.

The redness occurs when something such as inflammation or swelling causes the tiny blood vessels within the sclera to dilate. When this happens, the blood vessels will have more blood flowing into them, which shows up through the outermost eye lining called conjunctiva. While most cases of red eyes result from eye fatigue, exposure to irritants, or common eye diseases, the condition may also be a symptom of an underlying serious disease like glaucoma.

1. Symptoms

Red eye can present with many different symptoms. These include redness, irritation, itchiness, and pain. Other symptoms such as sensitivity to light, blurred vision, watery eyes, dryness of the eye, and a burning sensation may also occur. In some instances, there are no other symptoms except the redness of the eye.