Bloodshot eyes may appear suddenly or develop over time.
You may have noticed that your eyes sometimes appear redder than usual. It’s a common phenomenon that can occur due to a number of reasons.
Bloodshot Eyes (eye redness):
Eye redness is caused when blood vessels on the sclera (white outer surface of the eye) swell up or dilate making them more prominent.
Eye redness may appear in one or both eyes. It sometimes causes eye pain, itching, watery eyes, swollen eyes, or blurry vision. In other cases, eye redness may cause no irritation at all.
Bloodshot eyes may also be the result of an allergy, infection, or eye injury. If you think that your eye redness might be serious, MARHAM will assist you to book an appointment with an experienced eye specialist In Karachi.
3 Major Causes of Bloodshot Eyes:
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Conjunctivitis – “pink eye”
It is the most common eye infection, particularly among school-going children. Conjunctivitis is contagious and spreads easily from one individual to another. It occurs when conjunctiva – the thin, usually transparent membrane that covers the sclera (white portion of the surface of the eye) and lines the eyelids – gets infected. Infection in conjunctiva causes blood vessels within the sclera to swell, giving the eye a bloodshot appearance.
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Allergy
If you are allergic, then your eyes may redden while coming in contact with an allergen such as dust, pollen, pet dander, or certain chemicals found in cosmetics or contact lens solution. In the presence of an allergen, your immune system stimulates the production of histamine as part of an inflammatory response against the foreign substance. Histamine causes the blood vessels in your eyes to swell, causing your eyes to appear red and watery. Consult with the best pulmonologist in Karachi.
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Contact lenses
One of the main reasons for eye redness is over-wearing or not properly using contact lenses. It can lead to the deposition of irritants and microbes on the surface of your eye.
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Contact lenses can also worsen dry eye syndrome, as they normally reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea and can restrict the normal tear-flow production that is necessary to retain the moisture level of your eye surface.
How to prevent eye redness?
- Don’t rub your eyes. Irritants and microbes from your hands can cause even more irritation and redness. Also, you could damage your cornea.
- Always clean your contact lenses with a good cleaning solution. Don’t over-use them. Follow the doctor’s instructions about taking care of your contacts.
- Don’t stare at your computer or smartphone screen continuously for a long time. Instead, take a break after every 20 minutes and gaze at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This is known as the 20-20-20 rule.
- Schedule an eye exam every 3 months at least to avoid any eye disease or sight problems.
Eye redness is common nowadays and more often, is not serious. But if it is accompanied by eye pain, swelling, light sensitivity, or blurry vision, consult your ophthalmologist immediately.
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