Red eyes or red eye can be caused by many factors. Red eyes can be the result of a lack of sleep and one red eye can be due to a burst vein in the eye or allergic eye inflammation. You can also have a red eye due to excessive alcohol consumption and smoking or passive smoking. It’s also possible that you slept poorly or rubbed your itchy eyes too much. Everyone has suffered from red eyes at some point. A red eye can manifest itself in many ways, depending on the cause. This may involve a ‘bloodshot eye’, red eyelid margins or swollen blood vessels on the whites of the eyes. In short, there are different types of redness. The redness often disappears on its own, but if you experience pain, blurred vision or hypersensitivity, you should consult a doctor. These complaints may indicate something serious, such as acute glaucoma or an eye infection. The cause of a red eye is often harmless and will disappear within a few hours or at most a few days.
- Red eyes or bloodshot eyes
- Hemorrhage on the whites of the eyes
- Bright red spot on the whites of the eyes
- What causes the bleeding in your eye?
- Broken veins in the eye due to high blood pressure
- Swollen blood vessels due to an inflammatory response
- Conjunctivitis
- Irritant substance
- Eye trauma
- Allergic eye inflammation
- Red eyelid margins
- Red eyes due to headache
- Red eyes due to lenses
- Buildup of irritants
- Dry eyes due to lenses
- Dry eyes
- Red eyes due to cannabis
- Why do you get red eyes when you smoke weed?
- Do you get red eyes with other forms of cannabis use?
- Other causes of red eyes
- Eyestrain from computer
- Corneal ulcer
- Ocular herpes
- Uveitis
- Glaucoma
- Colds and flu
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Blowing
- Red eyes due to alcohol
- Sleep deprivation
- Swimming
- Makeup
- Workplace and environment
- When to consult your GP?
- Treatment of a red eye
- Allergies
- Artificial tears for dry eyes
- Do not rub the eyes
- Environment
- Cool eyes
- Rinse eyes
- Lifestyle changes
- Contact lenses
- When to consult a doctor if you have a red eye?
- Red eye eye drops
- Prognosis
- Complications
- Preventing red eyes
- Home remedy for red eyes
- Rinse with water
- Shorten screen time
- Balanced diet
- Do’s and don’ts
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes red eyes?
Red eyes are usually caused by allergies, eye strain, over-worn contact lenses, or common eye infections such as red eyes (conjunctivitis). However, redness of the eye can sometimes be a sign of a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma.
Can bloodshot eyes be serious?
Redness of the eye, also called bloodshot eyes, can indicate the presence of several health problems. While some of these problems are benign, others are serious.
Why is only one of my eyes red?
A number of causes of a red eye often affect only one eye, such as eye trauma or conjunctivitis.
Red Eye / Source: Cessna152/Shutterstock.com
Red eyes or bloodshot eyes
There are many possible causes of a red eye, red eyes or bloodshot eyes. Sometimes there is nothing wrong, but it may also be that (immediate) medical intervention is necessary. A red eye is usually due to a bruise on the white of the eye. People then say that ‘ a vein has burst ‘. Roughly speaking, three different types of redness can be distinguished:
- a bruise on the white of the eye;
- swollen blood vessels on the whites of the eyes; or
- red eyelid margins.
Hemorrhage on the whites of the eyes
Bright red spot on the whites of the eyes
Red eyes can also be caused by a bruise. A bruise may suddenly develop on the white of the eye, directly under the conjunctiva. A blood vessel has burst. It is colloquially said that ‘a vein has burst’. This may look ominous, but it doesn’t hurt or do any harm. With a bruise on the white of the eye, a bright red spot is visible in the white part of the eye. It heals on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. Treatment is therefore not necessary.
What causes the bleeding in your eye?
The bleeding or bruising occurs when a blood vessel bursts open just beneath the conjunctiva. This can happen spontaneously or if something taps or bumps your eye. A blood vessel can also burst due to activities that increase pressure, for example if you have to strain very hard due to constipation, or by coughing or by lifting something heavy. It happens more easily in people who use anticoagulants, also called blood thinners, than in others. The chance of a burst vein in the eye increases as you get older. Blood vessels will probably become slightly more brittle and vulnerable.
Measure your blood pressure at home / Source: Bacho/Shutterstock
Broken veins in the eye due to high blood pressure
Broken veins can also cause red eyes. A possible cause of a burst vein is high blood pressure. You usually don’t notice high blood pressure, even though it does cause damage to the heart and blood vessels. That is why high blood pressure is also called a ‘silent killer’. Only with extremely high blood pressure can you experience red eyes (the veins in the eye easily pop when rubbed), dizziness, blurred vision, headaches or even vomiting.
Swollen blood vessels due to an inflammatory response
This redness is caused by the expansion of the small vessels on the whites of the eyes. This is commonly referred to as ‘ bloodshot eyes ‘. The cause is an inflammatory reaction due to:
- a contamination (infection);
- a hypersensitivity reaction (allergy); or
- damage to the eye or eye trauma.
Red eyes due to conjunctivitis / Source: EvilQueenAcidBurn, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Conjunctivitis
The medical name for conjunctivitis is conjunctivitis. This involves inflamed mucous membranes (conjunctiva) of the eyes. It is one of the most common causes of a red eye. Often the cause is a viral infection, which is highly contagious. Bacteria may also be involved. Viral conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by mucus formation and watery discharge . Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis include a burning or stinging sensation in the eye, swelling, redness, and discharge, usually yellow or greenish in color. The discharge often accumulates while sleeping, causing the eyelids to stick together.
Irritant substance
The eye may also become red due to an irritating substance getting into the eyes, such as household cleaners. In addition, smoke, smog (air pollution), and industrial pollution can irritate the eye. Some people get (very) red eyes while wearing the lenses . This may be temporary; the complaints disappear after an adjustment period.
Bloodshot eyes due to hay fever / Source: Istock.com/mkrberlin
Eye trauma
There may also be eye trauma, which can range from a superficial injury to the cornea (a so-called ‘ dirt in the eye ‘) to perforating eye injury caused by a sharp object. This last problem will usually have to be addressed by an ophthalmologist.
Allergic eye inflammation
An allergic eye infection involving inflammation of the eye conjunctiva is also a common complaint that can lead to red eyes. The symptoms are itchy, burning, red, watery and swollen eyes. This may be accompanied by a tickle in the nose or throat, sneezing and a full or runny nose. Allergic complaints in spring and/or summer may indicate a pollen allergy. In that case it is called ‘hay fever’. Your eyes can also react allergically to mold, (feces of) dust mites or animal dander.
Blepharitis / Source: Clubtable, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Red eyelid margins
Blepharitis is the medical name for an (often chronic) inflammation of the eyelid margin. The inflammation is usually caused by a bacteria that grows on sebum. Blepharitis can be recognized by the fact that the edges of the eyelids are red and swollen. An eye gel (fusidic acid) can provide a solution.
Red eyes due to headache
Cluster headaches may be accompanied by a red eye or red eyes. Cluster headache is a severe form of headache that comes in clusters (groups) of attacks. You then get red and watery eyes or tingling and prickling in the face. You may also become anxious, restless and tired.
Red eyes caused by contact lenses / Source: Etan J. Tal, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)
Red eyes due to lenses
Buildup of irritants
One of the main culprits of red eyes is wearing contact lenses for too long or not applying the right ones for your contact lenses, which can cause a buildup of irritants and microbes to cause irritated, red eyes. Red eyes while wearing contacts can be a sign of a serious eye infection, such as keratitis. If your eyes become red while wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately and visit your ophthalmologist.
Dry eyes due to lenses
Contact lenses can worsen dry eyes because lenses restrict oxygen flow to the eye and it can limit normal tear production, especially with poorly fitting contact lenses. Although modern lenses allow more oxygen to pass through, many lens wearers still suffer from dry or burning eyes towards the end of the day. Eye drops bring relief. There are also other measures you can take (see below).
Tear film consists of three layers / Source: BlackNL, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Dry eyes
Dry eyes occur when there is insufficient tear production (quantitative), a deterioration in the quality of the tear film (qualitative), or too sparse tears. Chronic dry eyes can cause irritation and inflammation of the surface of the eye, making the eyes appear red. Dry eyes can be treated by removing the underlying cause, using ‘artificial tears’ (eye drops and sprays) and by not allowing the air in the house to become too dry. A solution for lens wearers is to wear daily lenses or lenses with a lower water content, silicone hydrogel lenses (this material allows much more oxygen to pass through) and better cleaning of the lenses.
Unfortunately, they are anything but inconspicuous and extremely insidious: the typical red eyes you get from smoking weed. Most cannabis users know this. Many wonder why cannabis gives you red eyeballs and what you can do about it. We make it clear what is behind it and which tricks help.
Red eyes due to cannabis
The effects of cannabis vary from person to person, but most cannabis users perceive external sensations and feelings more intensely. You come up with new ideas and thoughts and feel deeply connected to others. Moreover, you quickly find everything amusing. People often have the feeling that if you are stoned, this will quickly be noticed by others, but this is not always the case. What is immediately noticeable, however, are the often red eyes you get after smoking cannabis.
Why do you get red eyes when you smoke weed?
The reason you get red eyes from smoking weed is the psychoactive substance cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. It causes blood pressure to drop and blood vessels to expand. This gives your entire body a better blood supply. The drop in blood pressure ensures that the blood vessels in the eyes are clearly visible. Another reason is that consuming cannabis makes you dehydrated. But why is that so? The body needs a lot of energy and also water to break down the active ingredients of the plant. As a result, the body needs more fluid than normal, which is also noticeable in the dry mouth you get after smoking. The smoke can also cause red eyes in some people because it irritates the eyes. You can experience this problem, especially in closed spaces.
Do you get red eyes with other forms of cannabis use?
You can also get red eyes from other administration methods. Since the main cause of irritated eyes is THC, consuming cannabis in the form of hash cookies or space cake will not help. You may think that you won’t get red eyes while eating, but that’s a misconception. To explain with an example: many people also get red eyes when drinking alcohol. The reason for this is the same as with cannabis. The alcohol also dilates the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow. The red eyes are a clear indication of this.
Other causes of red eyes
There are also other causes of red, irritated or inflamed eyes. The most important ones are reviewed.
Red, burning and tired eyes due to CFS / Source: Istock.com/dolgachov
Eyestrain from computer
Red, burning and tired eyes are caused by the use of the computer and screens in general. One of the reasons is that you blink less when working on a computer, which dries out your eyes. This phenomenon is known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). This refers to the strain on the eyes that occurs when you use a computer for long periods of time. A tip to reduce eye strain caused by screen work is to take regular breaks while working on a computer, adjust your workplace and wear specially designed computer glasses. Eye drops can also help keep your eyes moist and healthy, and red-free.
Corneal ulcer
When a corneal infection becomes ulcerated, a painful corneal ulcer develops. Corneal infections, including corneal ulcers, are a potential risk to your vision and should be treated as a medical emergency. In addition to red eyes, a corneal ulcer is almost always accompanied by eye pain, decreased vision and eye discharge. A corneal ulcer is usually caused by an untreated eye infection or trauma to the eye.
Ocular herpes
Ocular herpes, also called eye herpes, is a recurring viral infection caused by type 1 herpes simplex virus – the same virus that causes cold sores. Symptoms of ocular herpes include redness, swollen eyes, eye pain, watery discharge, and light sensitivity (photophobia). Herpes of the eye can lead to scarring of the cornea if left untreated. In some cases, a corneal transplant may be necessary to restore vision.
Blurred vision / Source: Gene Hunt, Flickr (CC BY-2.0)
Uveitis
This indicates inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea). Uveitis is characterized by red eyes, light sensitivity and visual disturbances such as cloudiness and blurred vision. Uveitis has many possible causes. The most common causes are eye infections, eye injury or trauma, or a systemic autoimmune disease. But in many cases, the underlying cause of uveitis is unknown. If not treated early enough, uveitis can lead to retinal detachment, cataracts and high eye pressure, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma usually develops gradually and asymptomatically, but a sudden onset of painful, bright-red eyes accompanied by halos (rings) of vision around points of light (night), vision loss and nausea, may indicate acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
Colds and flu
Bloodshot and swollen eyes, along with a runny nose, are common symptoms of a cold or flu.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your eyes in many ways. Your eyes may be red and bloodshot, but you may also experience dry, itchy eyes or eyes that are sensitive to light. Pregnancy can also change the shape of the cornea and you may develop an intolerance to contact lenses or even blurred vision. These problems, such as redness of the eye, are usually temporary and resolve spontaneously within weeks or months after delivery.
Smoking can cause red eyes / Source: WerbeFabrik, Pixabay
Smoking
The dangers of cigarette smoking for your heart and blood vessels, your lungs (think of lung cancer) and other diseases are well known, but did you know that smoking is also harmful to your eyes? In addition to significantly increasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and uveitis, the toxins in tobacco smoke can cause eye irritation, such as dry, red and itchy eyes.
Blowing
Smoking marijuana or weed can also cause bloodshot eyes. THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, causes significant dilation of the eye’s blood vessels, producing redness that can last for several hours or even longer.
Red eyes due to alcohol
Heavy alcohol consumption can also cause redness of the eye or red eyes.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation affects your eyes. Puffy eyes and dark circles under your eyes are signs that you haven’t had enough sleep. And don’t forget that rubbing sleepy eyes will only make eye redness worse.
Swimming
Chlorine and other pool disinfectants can irritate the eyes. If you are prone to red eyes, use swimming goggles.
Makeup
If you suffer from red eyes, this may sometimes also be due to the fact that your eyes have been irritated by substances in make-up. The skin around the eyes is very sensitive and vulnerable. Eye make-up and eye care are often designed to irritate the skin as little as possible. Eye products often do not contain perfume, color or other irritants. Make sure you always buy an eye product that is ‘hypoallergenic’ if you suffer from make-up, although this does not necessarily mean that allergic reactions are excluded.
Workplace and environment
Extremely dry air, dust, smoke and excessive sun exposure are known factors that can irritate the eyes, leading to red eyes and other complaints. Scratches and damage to the cornea can be caused by particles carried by the wind, such as sand and sawdust, or flying pieces of metal and glass. This can cause serious eye damage. Therefore, always wear safety glasses when there is a risk of foreign objects entering your eye. Whether at work or when carrying out chores around the house, such as mowing the lawn or sanding (and painting) a garden shed.
General practitioner with patient / Source: Istock.com/monkeybusinessimages
When to consult your GP?
Contact your doctor if you also suffer from one or more of these symptoms in addition to red eyes:
- A sudden change in vision;
- Sensitivity to light;
- Seeing halos (rings) around points of light;
- Severe headache, eye pain, or fever;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- A foreign object or substance in your eye;
- Swelling of the eyelid;
- Inability to keep the eyes open.
Treatment of a red eye
In most cases, bloodshot eyes are harmless and heal on their own; After a few days the eyes are back to normal.
Allergies
If you suffer from bloodshot eyes due to allergies or irritants, you can try to avoid the triggers. If makeup is causing your eyes to look red, try a different brand. You can combat the complaints with the help of oral antihistamines or over-the-counter eye drops. This often makes the red eyes disappear quickly. For hay fever, for example, you can use special eye drops that quickly cool you and where the soothing ingredients provide relief from red, burning or itchy eyes. Such eye drops also form a tear film over the eye. This protects against new pollen.
Human eye with blood vessels / Source: ROTFLOLEB, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Artificial tears for dry eyes
Dry eyes can be combated with artificial tears, which are available over the counter. This is a relatively simple solution to the problem. Apply one or two drops if the eye feels dry and irritated. In a dry environment you will have to drip more often. Rubbing your eyes will only make the situation worse, and therefore it is not recommended to do this.
Do not rub the eyes
Avoid touching your eyes even after washing your hands thoroughly. Viruses, bacteria, and dirt can be transferred from your fingers to your eyes, which can worsen redness and irritation, and even cause damage to your eyeball.
Environment
If the environment causes red eyes, it is wise to change location or spend as little time as possible in that location. In any case, avoid places where smoking occurs.
Cool eyes
To relieve swelling, pain and redness in the short term, place cooled chamomile tea bags on the eyes. What also helps is to place a raw, washed potato or cucumber slices on the eyes for fifteen minutes.
Rinse eyes
Rinsing the eyes with lukewarm water can also provide relief from the symptoms. You can also use an eye bath to rinse the eyes. You can also make your tired and gritty eyes feel fresh and clean again with a mild eyewash solution with natural plant extracts. These remedies are available at any drugstore.
Drinking water is also healthy for the eyes / Source: Mimagephotography/Shutterstock.com
Lifestyle changes
Sometimes lifestyle changes are necessary to get rid of your bloodshot eyes. Smoking, a lot of alcohol, too little sleep and spending a lot of time in front of your computer or television is harmful to your eyes and that is why it is best to limit this as much as possible. Your health will improve and you will see it in your eyes. Getting enough sleep and eating healthy food keeps your eyes and other important organs healthy and makes you more resistant to infections. Try drinking more water and taking vitamin A and E supplements. Fatty acids in fish, nuts, and leafy vegetables are very good at combating dry, red eyes.
Contact lenses
If you suffer from red, irritated eyes due to prolonged contact lens wear, it is advisable to wear contact lenses as little as possible so that your eyes dry out less quickly and can recover.
When to consult a doctor if you have a red eye?
If you feel that your red eyes are caused by a serious condition, or if the red eyes do not go away on their own, contact your doctor and make an appointment. The GP can check whether there may be blepharitis or conjunctivitis or something else. Your doctor will prescribe medicated eye drops, oral antihistamines and/or painkillers as necessary.
Red eye eye drops
For very dry, burning, red or tired eyes you can use ‘Eye Drops Extra Intensive’ from A. Vogel. This product provides fast, intensive care and moisturization of the eye surface in case of a persistent feeling of dry eyes. It helps maintain sufficient tear fluid in the eye. The eye drops are also suitable for people who wear contact lenses and for people with sensitive eyes.
Prognosis
Healing time depends on the cause of red eyes. If red eyes are caused by an allergy, the redness may disappear within a few hours after the allergen is removed. But if the redness is caused by conjunctivitis, the red eyes can remain for up to two weeks.
Complications
Red eyes are usually not due to a serious condition. In cases of conjunctivitis, complications may arise, such as being unable to work or go to school. If the red eyes are caused by a serious condition, such as glaucoma or injury, prompt and appropriate treatment is required to prevent complications and permanent damage to the eyes. For example:
- The infection can spread to other parts of the eye and body;
- Loss of vision may occur, possibly leading to blindness;
- Scars on the eye; and
- Loss of the eye.
Don’t share a towel with others / Source: Pexels, Pixabay
Preventing red eyes
How to best prevent red eyes depends on the cause, but there are some general steps you can take to ensure your eyes and body stay healthy:
- Always keep your hands clean; wash with soap and water.
- Do not share bedding, cosmetics, towels, or washcloths, especially with someone with conjunctivitis;
- See a doctor immediately if your eye is injured or if it suddenly becomes red for no known cause;
- Never ignore red eyes, especially if they are accompanied by other symptoms.
Allergies
You can prevent red eyes due to allergies by:
- Do your best to stay away from allergens;
- If you know you are going to come into contact with allergens, take antihistamines beforehand;
- A shower can help with an allergy;
- Consult with your doctor about medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. If necessary, have yourself tested for allergies, so that you know what you are allergic to.
Conjunctivitis
To prevent red eyes due to conjunctivitis:
- Stay away from anyone who has conjunctivitis;
- Never share towels, bedding, washcloths, makeup, or eye drops with someone who has conjunctivitis;
- If you have conjunctivitis, stay away from work, school and other public places until you have healed (this can take up to two weeks);
- If someone in your household or family has conjunctivitis, disinfect objects in the house such as doorknobs, computer keyboards, and remote controls to prevent the spread of the infection.
- Wash your hands regularly if you or someone else you know has conjunctivitis.
Home remedy for red eyes
Rinse with water
Rinse your eyes with some water or soak a clean towel or washcloth in water and hold it over your eyes. This is one of the best and easiest methods to cure red eyes.
Shorten screen work
Reduce the number of hours you spend in front of the TV or computer screen, as working for long periods of time on the computer, iPad or mobile phone can cause dry and red eyes. The limited size of the screen makes a tablet and certainly a smartphone unsuitable for long-term screen work.
Healthy diet to prevent red eyes / Source: Oleksandra Naumenko/Shutterstock
Balanced diet
A balanced diet rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids (nuts, linseed, salmon, sardines, etc.) is good for the eyes and prevents red eyes. A balanced diet also includes vitamin B2, vitamin B6, fresh vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, sunflower seeds, tuna, turkey, asparagus and yogurt. Vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc in your diet is also important. These nutrients are found in cauliflower, broccoli, strawberries, oranges, cabbage, cantaloupe, spinach and celery. In short, there are a number of foods that are particularly good for your eyesight.
Do’s and don’ts
There are a number of things that are good if you have red eyes:
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated.
- Make sure you get enough rest because it helps to maintain the necessary moisture in the eyes and prevent red eyes.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from direct sunlight.
- Keep the humidity under control (for example with a humidifier): dry air can cause red eyes and too high flight humidity encourages mold formation.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
There are a number of things you should avoid if you have red eyes:
- Never rub your eyes if they are red. Rubbing makes red eyes worse.
- Avoid a polluted environment as this can worsen symptoms.
- Do not allow pets in your home as they can cause allergies.
- Stop smoking. It significantly increases the risk of dry eyes, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, uveitis, etc.
read more
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- Eye inflammation: symptoms, cause, treatment of an inflamed eye
- Blepharitis or eyelid inflammation: symptoms and treatment
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