Reddened eyes
Synonyms
Red eye
in the broadest sense: Conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis
English: red eye; conjunctivitis
Definition of red eyes
Red eyes are the main symptom of conjunctivitis.
However, the red eye can also occur in many other eye diseases. The conjunctiva is the primary structure of the eye that is affected. It usually appears whitish.
Recognizing reddened eyes
What are the symptoms of reddened eyes?
Red eyes are rarely the only symptom. In itself it is not a clinical picture, but is an accompanying symptom. The eye, or actually only the conjunctiva, is red because of the increased vascular markings. For example, red eyes can occur with the following clinical pictures:
- Inflammation of the eyelids
- Conjunctivitis
- Dry eye
- High intraocular pressure
- Watery eyes
Read more on the topic: Eye pain
How are red eyes diagnosed?
The diagnosis of "reddened eyes" is usually made using a slit lamp examination. Red eyes can easily be diagnosed with a high magnification and with good lighting conditions, such as those given by the slit lamp. As already mentioned above, the red eyes are not an independent clinical picture, but are only a symptom. What the red eye is ultimately due to must be found out with further diagnostics.
As a simple example: If the examiner reveals wrinkles in the conjunctiva, the diagnosis “dry eyes” is usually made.
For more information on this symptom, see Dry eyes.
Treating reddened eyes
How are red eyes treated?
Treatment for red eyes depends on the underlying condition. Dry eyes from the above For example, one would be treated with tear substitutes.
Conjunctivitis, depending on its origin, for example with antibiotic ointments (bacterial conjunctivitis) or antiallergic drops.
Read more on the topic: Reddened eyes - what helps? and eye drops for red eyes
Preventing red eyes
What are the causes of red eyes?
Red eyes can have many causes. As a rule, they are harmless and go away after a short time. Very rarely, red eyes can indicate more serious illnesses. The main causes include:
1. External influences
When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva dilate, the eye appears red.
Numerous external factors can significantly influence the blood flow to the conjunctiva. Cigarette smoke, air conditioning, dry air, UV radiation, chlorinated water and dust are just a few of the causes.
Of course, the measure and duration are decisive. A short drive in an air-conditioned car does not usually cause red eyes. Long-haul flights with dry, strongly air-conditioned air, however, do!
2. Fatigue
‚Tired eyes‘Are widespread in the population: After a long day at work in front of the computer screen, all you need to do is look in the mirror to see your reddened eyes. But why is that so?
When we get tired, the body shuts down many activities. The lacrimal gland produces less fluid and the irritated eyes begin to itch.
As a result, we unconsciously rub our eyes and germs get onto the sensitive conjunctiva.
In addition, with concentrated screen work, but also e.g. on long car journeys the 'Blink frequency‘: By staring (Gaze monotony) forward, we blink less! The surface of the eye dries out and appears red.
3. Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis)
A common cause of reddened eyes is an inflammatory change in the conjunctiva, also known as conjunctivitis.
In addition, one can observe increased tear production, swelling of the eye or a swollen conjunctiva or, in the case of an inflammation of bacterial origin, even suppuration.
Red eyes caused by conjunctivitis can have various causes.
In most cases one speaks of a so-called non-specific conjunctivitis: lack of tears, external stimuli, kinked eyelashes, wrong glasses or contact lenses irritate the sensitive conjunctiva over a long period of time and lead to reddened eyes.
In the pharmacy, numerous eye drops are offered to alleviate the symptoms, such as Tear substitutes ('Artificial tears').
4. Dry eye
The dry eye is a widespread disease and can be very stressful for those affected.
Besides i.a. Eye pain, burning sensation (see also: Burning in the eye) and visual disturbances, redness in the eye typically occurs.
Through so-called 'Wetting disorders' from Conjunctiva and Cornea, either the production or the composition of the tear fluid is insufficient.
The pathological changes cause inflammation, and thus reddening, of the surface of the eye. Therapeutically can be done several times a day eye drop be used, which the Corneal surface moisten ('Artificial tears'). If the drops do not provide relief, numerous other supplements can be tried.
5. Allergy
With the first rays of sunshine and mild temperatures in spring, the pollen season begins at the same time. During this time, hay fever patients suffer from reddened, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, severe sneezing attacks or even asthma.
If you observe one or more of the symptoms mentioned, this speaks for a 'Allergic rhinitis‘, Also popularly known as hay fever!
The cause is an excessive response of the body to actually harmless plants or plants. Tree components, the pollen. As soon as we inhale the pollen, ours responds immune system with a ,excessive‘Reaction and typical symptoms occur as a result.
In contrast to the seasonal allergy (approx. March to September), count e.g. Animal, house dust mite or mold allergies to the year-round symptoms.
For example, do you suffer from one Cat hair allergy, your eyes will be red as soon as a cat is in close proximity.The hair also adheres to carpets, upholstered surfaces, etc., so that personal contact with the animal is not necessary to get a allergic reaction trigger.
Only causal therapy of hay fever, as well as year-round allergies, is the Desensitization (earlier also densitization). Here the body is gradually exposed to allergenic substances'used‘. So one hopes for a healing of the allergy, with no agonizing symptoms.
Against the reddened eyes you can eye drop help. In the short term, blood vessels contracting (active ingredient: Tetryzoline, Naphazoline) or drops containing cortisone for relief.
In order to achieve a long-term effect, it is advisable to use special anti-allergic drops.
6. Hyposphagma
When a small vein bursts in the conjunctiva, the doctor speaks of one Hyposphagma. For many people, the noticeable, dark red bleeding in the eye causes concern.
Nevertheless, a hyposphagma is completely harmless in almost all cases and does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about further bleeding in the body, e.g. a Cerebral hemorrhage, too! Sometimes broken veins in the eye can be an indication high blood pressure be.
They usually go away on their own and do not require therapy. A violation of the Conjunctiva or Eyeball be the trigger.
7. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a collective term for diseases in which the Intraocular pressure is increased. As a result, the Optic nerve can be damaged and cause permanent visual disturbances.
Often the disease is also under the 'glaucoma' known. Since the risk of confusion with the 'grey star‘ (Lens opacity) however, is high, the term is no longer used.
In very rare cases, a red eye can indicate one glaucoma be. The ophthalmologist speaks of a 'acute glaucoma‘Or‚Glaucoma attack‘And treats it as a absolute emergency.
In addition to the eye redness, is the Intraocular pressure increases so much that the eyeball feels very hard. The pupil their round shape has been lost or appears greatly enlarged.
If you suspect that the symptoms apply to you, you must visit an ophthalmologist or the hospital immediately! In the worst case, one threatens complete blindness of the affected eye!
8. Foreign bodies in the eye
A foreign body gets into the eyeit appears reddened. Even small particles such as Grains of sand can cause reddening.
Careful rinsing of the eyes with lukewarm water can remove the offending particles. In the case of larger foreign bodies, e.g. Wood splinters, a doctor should be consulted.
How can you prevent reddened eyes?
The red eye can be prevented by preventing the underlying disease.
These diseases include, for example:
- Conjunctivitis
- Eyelid inflammation
- Ectropion
- Entropion
Further questions about reddened eyes
Why do you have red eyes with contact lenses?
Over time, contact lenses have become an attractive alternative in the field of visual aids.
In contrast to glasses, they are completely invisible and therefore also serve the cosmetic requirements of many people with poor eyesight.
In addition, they do not fog up in mist or rain, which is something for some professional groups (e.g. Cooks, sailors, athletes etc.) is of great importance.
Despite their numerous advantages, contact lenses can have undesirable side effects such as reddened eyes.
The following causes are known in connection with contact lenses:
1. Obsolescence of contact lenses
It is not uncommon for contact lens wearers to forget that their lenses have a limited shelf life!
So if your eyes are suddenly reddened despite the unchanged care routine and handling, the contact lenses may be out of date.
Depending on the manufacturer and type of lens, the shelf life differs considerably. Some dimensionally stable / fixed lenses can be kept for several years, certain soft lenses (Monthly lenses) only 4 weeks. It is therefore advisable to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Under certain circumstances, a note in the calendar can be helpful so that the lenses can be replaced in good time.
2. Deposits on the contact lenses
Contact lenses are in close contact with the surface of the eye. Deposits are easily formed through interactions with the tear fluid. In particular proteins (protein) and lipids (Fats) collect on the inner surface of the lens, so that a real 'Lubricating film‘Remains behind.
The contaminated surface irritates the sensitive eye and leads to irritation and redness.
3. Defective contact lenses
As soon as even a small corner of the contact lens breaks or tears, sharp-edged fragments can arise.
A defective lens often goes unnoticed and is still used. Affected people feel itchy or uncomfortable. The smallest injuries and bleeding can occur: The eye is reddened.
Optimal care, correct storage and correct handling are essential to avoid defective contact lenses.
In addition, after they have been e.g. have fallen on the floor can only be used again after strict control. Only when you are absolutely sure that the lens is undamaged can it be used again.
4. Incorrect care
A large number of contact lens care products are available in stores. Multifunctional solutions are mainly used. They are suitable for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and storing.
To avoid contamination, only fresh solution should be used. In addition, it should not be forgotten that cleaning agents also have a limited shelf life.
In the long term, many lens wearers develop intolerance with reddened eyes. It therefore requires a great deal of sensitivity to find the right care product and, if necessary, to replace it.
5. Incorrect handling
Removing and inserting the contact lenses requires some practice and rules. Before touching the lens, hands must be washed every time. Under no circumstances should the lenses come into contact with tap water!
The care products must also be handled carefully. The tip of the cleaning bottle must not be touched with your fingers, as germs could get into it. Even the storage jars need to be changed once a month to avoid reddened eyes.
6. Poor contact lens fit
The correct fit of contact lenses is essential! They should completely cover the cornea, sit centered on the eye and be sufficiently mobile.
If the fit is not optimal, the surface of the eye becomes irritated and reddening occurs. Your optician or ophthalmologist can check and adjust the fit using painless measuring methods
7. Familiarization phase
In the beginning, contact lenses very often cause reddened eyes. The length of the acclimatization phase varies depending on the type of lens, care products and personal sensitivity.
If the wearing time is increased gradually, the risk can be reduced. Basically, soft lenses initially cause less redness than hard lenses.
How can you avoid reddened eyes with contact lenses?
Red eyes caused by contact lenses are a common and annoying problem for contact lens wearers. The symptoms of the eyes can occur for various reasons. Most of the problems that arise while wearing the lenses are due to insufficient hygiene or too long wearing of the lenses. In order not to contaminate the lenses with pathogens before insertion, it is important to wash or disinfect hands thoroughly before inserting the lenses. The lenses should only be worn for as long as recommended and always treated with undiluted care solution. The container for storing the lenses should be cleaned regularly.
In general it can be said that the so-called "soft" lenses cause problems for the individual wearer more often. Because less oxygen and tear fluid gets behind the lenses, it is easier for some pathogens to multiply and cause inflammation. Red eyes, which occur in contact lens wearers, can often be traced back to bacterial conjunctivitis. But fungal diseases of the eye also occur more frequently, especially with those who wear soft lenses.
Dry eyes are also a problem and are often the cause of reddened eyes. It is advisable to stop wearing the lenses and apply eye drops to the eyes for a few days until the redness improves.
Ultimately, unsuitable contact lenses can also be responsible for the redness of the eyes. For this reason, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist about which contact lenses are suitable for the individual person. Regular eye checks are just as important so that diseases can be discovered and misbehavior with regard to lens hygiene can be discovered and remedied.
Contact lens wearers should always consult an ophthalmologist if they develop red eyes so that they can diagnose the reason for the reddened eyes and, if necessary, carry out therapy and adjustment of the contact lenses. If red eyes appear, the contact lenses should first be removed and glasses should be used until the attending ophthalmologist can take a look at the eyes.
Why do you have red eyes from an allergy?
An existing allergy can also trigger this symptom, along with other causes of the appearance of red eyes.
If you have an allergy, both eyes are usually affected. Basically, however, especially in later stages, both eyes are affected even with infections, which is why this cannot be used as a unique selling point of an allergy. However, if only one eye is red, other causes should be considered.
In addition to the reddening of the eyes, other accompanying symptoms usually occur with an allergy. A runny nose, itching of the nose and eyes and frequent sneezing are typical symptoms of allergies.
A particularly common allergy that can cause reddening of the eyes is an allergy to plant pollen, better known as hay fever. Here, allergies to different pollen can exist and thus individually differently strong and temporally staggered allergy symptoms occur. An allergy to house dust mites or animal hair and to certain medications can also cause reddening of the eyes and unspecific allergy symptoms. In most cases, your family doctor or an allergist can clarify whether you have an allergy and what exactly.
If you are unsure whether the eyes are infected, a visit to an ophthalmologist can provide clarification.
Reddening of the eyes which is due to an allergy can only be treated symptomatically. On the one hand, so-called antihistamines can be taken orally in tablet form. In addition to reducing the symptoms in the eye, these also reduce other symptoms associated with the allergy. Especially for the eyes, medication in liquid form can be dripped into the eyes, which can significantly reduce the symptoms. Active ingredients are antihistamines or so-called mast cell stabilizers such as cromoglicic acid. Since reddened eyes of unclear origin do not necessarily have to be an allergy, a doctor should be consulted in these cases, who can confirm the diagnosis if necessary. This is important because if it is a contagious infection, immediate therapy should be initiated or precautionary measures for the environment must be considered. A significant improvement in symptoms is typical of an allergy if the allergen is avoided. The reddening of hay fever usually improves in closed rooms and after showering when the allergens have been removed.
Read more on the topic:
- Swelling of the eye
- Cross allergy
Why do children have red eyes?
Red eyes are relatively common in children and can be caused by different triggers.
In many cases, the reddened eye has a purely mechanical cause. Children rub their eyes very hard when a foreign body has gotten into the eye and this reddening occurs. But also different eye diseases of children can be responsible for the redness. For example, bacterial conjunctivitis is often the cause of red eyes. Pathogens such as staphylococci and streptococci are common causes of this inflammation. Concomitant symptoms of such an infection are, for example, a foreign body sensation and oozing and itchy eyes. In most cases, conjunctivitis is not painful. If there is pain, it is likely that the cornea is also inflamed. Conjunctivitis is particularly critical in newborns because gonococcal conjunctivitis is suspected. Since this can lead to blindness if left untreated, therapy is irreplaceable in these cases.
Other diseases that should be clarified in a reddened eye of a child are iris inflammation (Iritis), a glaucoma attack, a stye and an inflammation of the dermis. An allergy should also be considered if the eyes are red and itchy.
In any case, if the child has red eyes, a pediatrician or ophthalmologist should be consulted who can find out the cause of the symptom.
The eye can be examined using a so-called slit lamp and, if necessary, therapy can be initiated after the diagnosis has been made.
In the case of bacterial infections of the eyes, antibiotics are usually used, which can be dripped onto the affected eyes in the form of eye drops. The use of antibiotics for non-bacterial infections does not make sense and should be avoided.
In the case of inflammation which is based on a viral cause, depending on the severity of the disease, antiviral drugs can also be used.
If an allergy is present, antihistamines can be used, which can be applied either systemically in tablet form or as eye drops.
Read more on the topic: Red eyes in children and infants
