10 causes of “red eyes”: Which can heal on their own? Which are dangerous?

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When we have  red eyes  , of course, there will be many questions from people around us, such as, “Are you feeling unwell?”, “What are you upset about?”, “Did you get drunk last night?” But in fact, red eyes  can occur from many causes, and sometimes it is a symptom that indicates an important health problem as well.

10 causes of “red eyes”: Which can heal on their own? Which are dangerous?

Pink eye is caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva from infection with adenoviruses, which are directly transmitted through contact with the tears of an infected person to their fingers and then to their eyes. There is no contact through eye contact, eating together, or even through the air. Symptoms of pink eye will appear within 1-2 days and the contagious period is about 14 days. It is easily transmitted to both children and adults, but is more common in young children and elementary school children. Pink eye is not a serious disease, but if left untreated from the onset of the disease, it can lead to a secondary infection that can cause visual impairment.

Andrew Holzman, MD, of TLC Laser Eye Center in Maryland, says there are 10 possible causes of red eyes.

What causes red eyes?

  1. Red eyes due to dry eyes

When the eyes are dry, irritation and inflammation can occur, and this inflammation is what causes red eyes. Most often, when we get older, around 50 years old and up, we will have dry eyes, which is normal. But if you are still a child or a young adult and have this symptom, it may be because you stare at the computer screen too much. While we look at the computer screen, we tend not to blink, and that causes dry eyes.

In addition, there are other symptoms such as eye irritation, burning pain, itchy eyes. The solution is to use artificial tears to moisturize and reduce inflammation that causes red eyes. In addition, when looking at a computer screen, blink your eyes more often by using the 20-20-20 rule. That is, every 20 minutes in front of the computer screen, look at something else that is about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. But if you try the recommended methods and your red eyes do not improve, you should consult a doctor. 

  1. Red eyes due to allergies

Some people have seasonal allergies when the weather and environment change, such as pollen allergies or grass allergies. These symptoms cause the eyes to swell, become red and inflamed. In addition, when we have allergies, we tend to itch our eyes, causing us to rub them, which makes them even more inflamed and red.

In addition to itching and irritation of the eyes, you may also experience tearing. The solution is to cover your eyes with something cold for about 15 minutes, several times a day. Or you may consult a doctor to find a way to control the allergy and treat the root cause. 

3.Red eyes due to the use of certain medications

Antihistamines are not the only drugs that cause dry eyes. Many medications have this side effect, including sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and even pain relievers like ibuprofen. These medications cause dryness and redness because they reduce blood flow to the tissues around the eye. The solution is to use artificial tears, and you may also want to talk to your doctor to reduce the side effects by adjusting your medication. 

  1. Red eyes due to lack of sleep

Not getting enough sleep or staying up late can cause you to wake up with red eyes in the morning because your eyes also need to be closed for a suitable period of time. Your eye muscles also need to rest. If they don’t get enough rest, focusing won’t work as efficiently. The solution is to use artificial tears and you should schedule time to get 7-8 hours of sleep per day. 

  1. Red eyes due to drinking alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can also cause red eyes, not just a red face. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing the amount of blood flowing to the eyes. In addition, there may be other symptoms such as headaches, dehydration, nausea. The solution is to use eye whitening drops, which will help reduce symptoms within 15 minutes. 

6.Red eyes due to smoking

Smoking also causes red eyes because cigarettes constrict the blood vessels in the eyes. In addition, it may also cause dry eyes. If this symptom persists in the long term, it may result in loss of vision or blindness. The solution is to quit smoking and try to be in places with fresh air. 

  1. Red eyes due to infection

Pink eye is real. Pink eye is caused by a viral or bacterial infection in one or both eyes. -Pink eye is very contagious. When infected, the eye will become inflamed, swollen, red,สมัคร ufabet and may have other symptoms such as burning pain, tearing, closed eyes, and sensitivity to light. *If you have pink eye, you should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If the doctor finds that it is a virus, he may recommend rest for 2-3 weeks, give eye drops to reduce symptoms, and wait for the virus to go away on its own. If it is bacterial, you will need to use antibiotic eye drops to treat the symptoms. 

8.Red eyes from swimming

Sea water is salty, which can lead to red eyes. Swimming pool water also contains chemicals such as chlorine, which can cause irritation and red eyes. The solution is to flush your eyes with saline or use artificial tears to relieve the symptoms. Importantly, people who wear contact lenses should not wear them in the water. 

  1. Red eyes due to broken blood vessels in the eyes

These symptoms may occur due to frequent coughing, pressure on the eyes, certain diseases, or even accidents. These symptoms are usually not painful, but rather a feeling of heaviness in the eyes, and cannot be cured. You must wait for them to gradually disappear on their own, which may take about a week. 

  1. Red eyes due to overuse of eye whitening drops

This type of eye drops can make red eye problems worse if not used properly because they reduce the amount of blood that nourishes the eye area. When the drops are used, the redness disappears, but when you stop using them, they come back and may cause a rebound effect, making the eyes even redder. This type of medicine should not be used frequently or regularly. If used occasionally, it will not cause any adverse effects.