Bloodshot eyes or red eye is a condition of the eye in which tiny blood vessels over the surface of the sclera of the eye become congested. It is a symptom of many eye diseases, not itself a disease. The sclera is a whitish portion of the eye that makes the two-fifths of the anterior surface of the eyeball. Tiny blood vessels nourished this whitish portion of the eye and supply oxygen as well. When these vessels become congested or leaky, the eye becomes red-eye or bloodshot eye.
This is a very common eye issue.
Sometimes it doesn’t need any proper medical treatment and goes away on its own. While sometimes it is severe and needs proper medication. Bloodshot eyes are generally not a reason to be considered, but it can be if it is accompanied by irritation, eye pain, burning sensation, watering eye, impaired vision, or headache. It can also be associated with the dryness of the eye and insensitivity to light (photophobia).
In some cases, the redeye has no symptoms other than the redness. This occurs due to improper or insufficient supply of oxygen to the cornea or other covering tissues of the eye. Lack of oxygen enables the vessels to be congested. In simple words, it would more easy to understand that when a whitish portion of the eye becomes reddened, it seems to be bloodshot eyes.
Causes Of Bloodshot Eyes
Lots of factors are present around us which could be the reason for the redeye. The appearance of redness in eyes is basically caused by the dilation of the tiny blood vessels that nourishing the anterior portion of eyeball and are located between the sclera and the overlying transparent layer of the eye (conjunctiva membrane). Normally These vessels are minute and are invisible but when exposed to allergens or any eye problems, these tiny blood vessels become swollen. Some causes of this event are environment and some are due to preexisting eye diseases. Most common Bloodshot causes of the redeye include
- Allergen dust, fumes, pollen’s, etc exposure
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Fungal infection
- Keratitis
- Wearing of contact lens for a long time, or improper handling of lenses
- Smoking
- Chemical exposure
- Overexposure to UV sun rays
- Eye infections of any time
- Uveitis
- Corneal ulcer
- Persistent use of digital devices overnight
- Insufficient sleep
- Excessive use of eye drops
Natural Tips To Get Rid Of Bloodshot Eyes
1- Wash Eyelids Daily
Wash your face and eyelids three to four times a day. Wash it with little warm water to make it clear and clean from environmental pollution. You can also use cold water to wash your eyelids. It gives soothing effects to your eyes.
2- Wear Sun Glasses
Whenever you are on go for long hours, always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes not from ultraviolet sun radiations but also from environmental pollution and dust. It provides the protecting shield to your eyes and also prevents photosensitivity.
3- Proper Handling Of Contact Lenses
Your contact lenses are just your property. Don’t share it with your friends or even siblings. Try to wash your lenses with distilled water, whenever you used it. Sealed the bottle and don’t use it overnight. When you are going to wear the lenses, wash your hands, and then open your bottle. Your eye hygiene is very important for your eye health.
4- Try over-the-counter eyedrops and eyewashes.
Eye Drops usually consist of decongestants that constrict the blood vessels. While eyewashes usually have saline or boric acid saline solution. Both may be helpful to reduce the redness. But always follow the instructions of your ophthalmologist. Because the overuse of eyedrops is actually itself a reason for redness too. Therefore, use only prescribed eye drops with the proper instructions.
WHAT DOES BLOODSHOT MEAN?
Bloodshot eyes or red eyes are not the disease but are the symptom of other eye diseases like conjunctivitis, keratitis, glaucoma, etc. The bloodshot eye is caused by various stimuli such as an allergen, pollen or dust particle, eye fatigue, common eye infections or over wearing lenses. It is a mild condition but can be a signal of some severe eye conditions. Sometimes, it goes away without treatment or many times it needed.
HP Thoughts: You might be experiencing swollen eyes instead of bloodshot eyes. If it is the former, then proceed to our post to know some easy remedies — Best Home Remedies Of Swollen Eyes.
