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When the eye is red, it usually means that the person has some type of eye irritation, which can happen due to the drier environment, tiredness or the use of creams or makeup, which may be causing some allergic reaction. In these situations, washing your face and applying lubricating eye drops usually relieves symptoms.
However, redness in the eyes can also be caused by some more serious problems and, therefore, when this symptom is frequent, it takes too long to pass or is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, discharge or difficulty seeing, it is advisable to consult a doctor. ophthalmologist, to identify the possible cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
Some common conditions and eye diseases that can make your eyes redden are:
1. Cisco in the eye
When a speck, grain of sand or eyelash is able to come into contact with the surface of the eye, it is normal for the eyes to become irritated and red, causing a lot of discomfort.
What to do: in this case, washing your eyes with saline or artificial tears bought at the pharmacy, can help eliminate the foreign body, relieving pain and discomfort. It is also important to avoid rubbing your eyes or placing your fingers in the eyeball, as they may contain microorganisms that can facilitate the onset of infection.
2. Allergy to creams or makeup
Some people have an easier time having allergies and, therefore, they can have red, irritated and watery eyes when they apply creams or lotions on the face.The same can also happen when using makeup, especially when it is not hypoallergenic or when it has expired.
Eyeshadows, eyeliner, eye liner and mascara are the makeup products that can most leave your eyes red and irritated. In addition, the sunscreen for the body should not be used to put on the face because it can cause allergy in some people, and the ideal is only to use the facial sunscreen and, even so, be careful not to apply too close to the eyes .
What to do: wash your face with cold water and completely remove the traces of creams or makeup, and apply a lubricating eye drop or a few drops of saline to your eyes, keeping them closed for a few minutes. Putting on a cold compress can also help to deflate the eyes and soothe irritation.
3. Scratch on the cornea or conjunctiva
Scratches on the cornea or conjunctiva are very common, which can make the eyes red and irritated due to damage to the eye tissues. This type of scratch can happen due to blows to the eye, during a team game or when being attacked by a cat, for example, but it can also be a complication when a speck or sand gets in the eye.
What to do: to reduce discomfort it is recommended to remain with your eyes closed and wait a few moments until you open your eye slowly. In addition, it can also help to put a cold compress on your eyes for a few minutes and wear sunglasses to protect your eye from the sun's rays. Anyway, when a scratch on the eye is suspected it is very important to go to the ophthalmologist to check if there are any changes that need a more appropriate treatment.
4. Dry eye syndrome
People who work long hours in front of the computer, who spend hours watching television or who use the tablet or the cell phone for a long time is more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome, which is a change that can make the eyes red and irritated, especially at the end of the day, due to the decrease in the amount of tears produced. Better understand what dry eye syndrome is.
What to do: to relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, the recommendation is to try to blink your eyes more often when using a screen, in addition to dripping a few drops of eye drops or artificial tears in your eyes several times a day, whenever you feel that the eye is getting dry and irritated.
5. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids and the surface of the eye, and in this case, in addition to the red eye, symptoms include pain, sensitivity to light, itching and yellowish rashes, which can affect only one eye.
This inflammation is usually caused by viruses, but it can also happen due to some type of bacteria or an allergy.
What to do: When suspected of conjunctivitis, it is always important to consult the ophthalmologist to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment, which may include the use of antibiotic, antiallergic eye drops or just artificial tears. In addition, it is important to take care to keep your eyes properly clean and free of secretions. See more details on the treatment of conjunctivitis.
Depending on the cause, conjunctivitis is an infection that can easily be passed on to others. Thus, it is recommended to wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after cleaning your eyes or coming into contact with secretions.
6. Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that leaves the eyes red and irritated in addition to the presence of small crusts that can make it difficult to open the eyes upon waking. This is a common change, but it can take time to treat, especially when it is caused by a change in the Meibomius glands.
What to do: Blepharitis treatment consists of keeping your eyes always clean and, therefore, it may be necessary to wash your face with a neutral children's shampoo to avoid burning your eyes and then apply a soothing compress that can be made with tea. of cold chamomile. However, the ideal is that blepharitis is always evaluated by an ophthalmologist, as it can also be a sign of a bacterial infection, which needs more specific treatment. See more about blepharitis and how to treat it.
7. Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea of the eye and can result in symptoms very similar to conjunctivitis, with redness in the eye, sensitivity to light, pellets and pain. However, uveitis is much less frequent than conjunctivitis and occurs mainly in people with other associated diseases, especially autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Behçet's disease, and infectious diseases such as toxoplasmosis, syphilis or AIDS. See more about uveitis, its causes and treatment.
What to do: an ophthalmologist should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment, which usually consists of reducing inflammation and scar formation through anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid eye drops.
8. Keratitis
Keratitis is an inflammation of the outermost part of the eye, known as the cornea, which occurs mainly in people who wear contact lenses incorrectly, as this favors the growth and development of fungi and bacteria in the outermost layer of the eye.
The most common symptoms of keratitis include, in addition to redness of the eyes, pain, blurred vision, excessive production of tears and difficulty opening the eye. See other symptoms and how keratitis is treated.
What to do: an ophthalmologist should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis, identify the correct cause and start the most appropriate treatment, which may include the use of eye drops or antifungal or antibiotic ointments, for example.
9. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused, most of the time, by the increase in pressure inside the eye and that worsens over several months or years. During the initial phase, there may be no symptoms, but when glaucoma is more advanced, signs and symptoms such as red eyes, headache and pain in the back of the eye, for example, may appear.
Glaucoma is more common in people over the age of 40, who have a family history of the disease and who have other associated diseases.
What to do: the ideal is to identify glaucoma in its initial phase before causing symptoms, as treatment is easier and there are less chances of complications, such as blindness. Thus, the ideal is to have regular visits to the ophthalmologist. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can be done with special eye drops that help to reduce the pressure inside the eye. Find out more about how glaucoma treatment is done.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to go to the doctor or hospital when redness of the eyes is frequent and does not go away over time, as they can indicate serious eye changes. Therefore, it is recommended to go to the hospital when:
- The eyes went red with a puncture;
- Have headache and blurred vision;
- You are confused and do not know where you are or who you are;
- You have nausea and vomiting;
- The eyes have been very red for about 5 days;
- You have an object in your eye;
- You have a yellow or greenish discharge from one or both eyes.
In these cases, it is important that the person is observed by an ophthalmologist and tests are carried out to identify the cause of the onset of symptoms and thus, the most appropriate treatment can be started.