Waking Up with Bloodshot Eyes: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Overview

Bloodshot eyes look red because the small blood vessels on the surface of the white of the eye swell. The swollen vessels can create a spider-web pattern on the white of your eye.

A common reason for waking up with bloodshot eyes is dryness overnight. Your eyes may not make enough tears, or your eyelids may not fully close while you sleep.

Why Are You Waking Up With Bloodshot Eyes?

Tears normally keep the surface of the eye moist. Some people have dry eye, which means they make too few tears or tears of poor quality.

Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid edges, can clog the oil glands in the eyelids and make dryness worse.

Some people's eyelids do not close completely during sleep. The exposed part of the eye dries out, which can cause redness and irritation in the morning. An eye doctor can check for this and suggest treatment.

Causes of Bloodshot Eyes

According to MedlinePlus, eye vessels may swell because of dryness, too much sun, dust or other particles, allergies, infection or injury. Common causes include:

Too little sleep:

Not getting enough sleep can leave your eyes tired, dry and red. Eye strain from long screen time can do the same.

Pink eye:

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is swelling or infection of the clear tissue that covers the white of the eye and lines the eyelids. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or allergies.

Glaucoma:

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a sudden rise in eye pressure. It causes a red, very painful eye and serious vision problems, and it is a medical emergency.

The more common form of glaucoma develops slowly and usually does not cause red eyes.

Eye allergies:

Allergies can make the eyes red, itchy and watery. Common triggers include pollen, pet dander and dust. Rubbing your eyes makes redness worse.

Consuming a large quantity of alcohol:

Heavy drinking can leave you with red eyes the next morning. Alcohol widens small blood vessels and can also dehydrate you and disturb your sleep.

Eye stye:

A stye is a small, painful bump at the edge of the eyelid caused by a blocked, infected oil gland. It can cause swelling and redness of the eyelid.

Contact lens irritation:

Wearing contact lenses too long, or sleeping in them, reduces the oxygen reaching the cornea and raises the risk of infection. This can cause the bloodshot eyes you notice in the morning.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage:

This happens when a tiny blood vessel on the surface of the eye breaks, leaving a bright red patch on the white of the eye. It often follows straining or coughing.

Most often there is no pain and vision is normal, and it clears up on its own. See a doctor if it happens often or you take blood thinners.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of waking up with bloodshot eyes vary from person to person. Redness can affect one eye or both. It may come alone or with other symptoms, such as:

Watery eyes:

Watery eyes are common with redness, especially from allergies or irritation.

Light sensitivity:

Some people find bright light uncomfortable. Strong light sensitivity with a red eye needs a doctor's visit.

Burning in the eyes:

You may feel burning or stinging, which is common with dry eye.

Irritation:

A gritty or scratchy feeling is one of the most common symptoms.

Itching:

Itching is especially common with allergies.

Pain:

Pain is less common with simple redness. Eye pain, especially severe pain, can signal a more serious problem and needs prompt care.

Discharge from eyes:

There may be discharge from the eye, ranging from watery to thick, yellow or green.

Blurred vision:

Image Source

Blurred vision that does not clear when you blink is a warning sign and should be checked by a doctor.

Diagnosis For Waking Up With Bloodshot Eyes

Your doctor will examine your eyes and ask about your symptoms, such as whether one or both eyes are affected, whether you have pain or discharge, and whether you wear contact lenses.

Most causes can be diagnosed with an eye exam. Sometimes your doctor may test a sample of discharge or check your eye pressure.

Waking Up With Bloodshot Eyes Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. For simple redness from tiredness or dryness, these steps may help:

Artificial Tears:

Lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) can ease dryness. They are available over the counter, and your eye care provider can suggest one.

Use redness-relief drops only occasionally, because frequent use can cause rebound redness.

Warm Compresses:

A warm compress can help if dryness is linked to blepharitis or clogged eyelid glands. Hold a clean, warm, damp cloth on your closed eyelids for about 5 to 10 minutes.

The warmth helps loosen the oils in the eyelid glands so they flow more easily and keep tears from drying out.

Change Contact Lens:

The NHS advises that you do not wear contact lenses while you have a red eye, and never sleep in lenses unless your eye doctor says they are made for it. Follow the replacement schedule for your lenses, and ask your eye doctor if your lenses irritate your eyes.

Cold Compresses:

A cool compress can soothe itchy, puffy eyes, especially from allergies. Soak a clean cloth in cool water and rest it on your closed eyes for a few minutes.

Lifestyle Changes:

Get enough sleep, take breaks from screens, avoid smoke and rub your eyes less. Drinking enough fluids and limiting alcohol may also help.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP:

Most people get red eyes from time to time, and simple redness often clears up on its own. Contact your doctor if:

• your eyes are red for longer than 1 to 2 days
• you have eye pain or vision changes
• you are very sensitive to light
• you have yellow or greenish discharge
• you take a blood-thinning medicine
• you think something is stuck in your eye

Seek emergency care if your eye is red after an injury, or if you have a headache with blurred vision or confusion, see halos around lights, or have nausea and vomiting.

Sources

• Eye redness, MedlinePlus
• Red eye, NHS