Red or bloodshot eyes occur
when small blood vessels on the surface of the eye become enlarged and congested with blood
. Red eyes alone are not usually a reason for concern. However, if there is also eye pain, watering, dryness, or impaired vision
What causes bloodshot eyes?
Red eyes usually are caused by
allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses
or common eye infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis). However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma.
Is a bloodshot eye anything to worry about?
A
red eye is usually nothing to worry about
and often gets better on its own. But sometimes it can be more serious and you’ll need to get medical help.
When should I be concerned about a bloodshot eye?
Call 911 or your local emergency number for red eye if: Your
vision changes suddenly
.
It is accompanied by severe headache
, eye pain, fever or unusual sensitivity to light. You also experience nausea or vomiting.
Can high blood pressure cause red eyes?
High blood pressure and red eyes often occur simultaneously. The eyes are full of blood vessels, and they typically stiffen and join each other in instances of high blood pressure. Severe cases can
lead to blood leakage
and busted blood vessels, which can have many dangerous effects on the vision.
Can liver problems cause bloodshot eyes?
Bloodshot Eyes
If you are constantly waking up with bloodshot eyes, it could be an indication of
liver inflammation
. An inflamed liver could lead to fatty liver disease so it’s important to have a balanced, healthy diet and try to cut out alcohol and smoking.
Why did I woke up with a broken blood vessel in my eye?
Mechanical injuries from hitting or rubbing the eye
can also cause a blood vessel to rupture. Oftentimes people will wake up in the morning with a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which is likely from rubbing the eye while sleeping.
How long do bloodshot eyes last?
The duration of bloodshot eyes is mostly based on their severity and cause. A subconjunctival haemorrhage typically only lasts for
between seven and 10 days
. This is the time period for gauging whether it’s actually something more severe.
Can lack of sleep cause bloodshot eyes?
Sleep Deprivation and Eye Health
Not getting enough sleep can
lead to having dry, itchy, or bloodshot eyes. The eyes may produce less tears after a night of insufficient sleep. This can open the door to eye infections.
Can stress cause a bloodshot eye?
Yes, stress can contribute to red eyes
, although it typically does so indirectly. Your body often produces adrenaline in response to stress, which in turn can lead to tension and dry eyes. As discussed, both tension and dry eyes can contribute to your red eyes.
How should I treat a bloodshot eye?
- Use over-the-counter artificial tears. …
- Use over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops, especially if you are prone to seasonal allergies. …
- Use decongestants. …
- Place cool compresses or washcloths on your closed eyes a couple of times a day.
Can heart problems cause bloodshot eyes?
In the eye, high blood pressure can cause retinopathy, or damage to the eye’s main blood supply. This can lead to bleeding in the eye, blurred vision, swelling, blood clots, damage to the nerve or even stroke in the retina with complete loss of vision.
Can high blood pressure cause flashing lights in eyes?
An example would be standing quickly from a sitting position or rising quickly after stooping or bending over.
Pregnancy related high blood pressure
(pre-eclampsia) can also cause light flashes.
Can you feel high blood pressure in your eyes?
Persistent, untreated high blood pressure can cause
damage to
the retina, the tissues at the back of the eye responsible for receiving the images we need to see. The condition can lead to symptoms including double or dim vision, loss of vision and headaches.
Can high blood pressure cause subconjunctival hemorrhage?
Risk factors for a subconjunctival hemorrhage include:
Diabetes
.
High blood pressure
(hypertension) Certain blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and aspirin.
What are the first signs of a bad liver?
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine color.
- Pale stool color.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Nausea or vomiting.
