Red-eye or bloodshot eyes is a general term describing irritated eyes. This is when the tiny blood vessels under your eye s’ surface are inflamed/get larger, primarily caused by an irritant. It can appear suddenly, like the case with injuries or allergies, or develop over time, affecting one or both eyes. While it might not cause significant worry, especially with no pain, Beverly Hills red eyes could signify an underlying health concern. Among the red-eye instances, you should seek immediate medical attention for the following:
Blurry or vision loss
Sudden vision loss can be worrying and is mainly caused by:
- Trauma
- Retinal detachment (retina pulling away from normal position – back of the eye)
- Retinal vein/artery occlusion (blocked blood flow to/from the retina)
The sudden blurry/lost vision could indicate serious issues like stroke/ transient ischemic attack, concussion, angle-closure glaucoma, or eye infections, among other concerns. This emphasizes the need for immediate attention for proper diagnosis and treatment, avoiding further problems.
Pain
Red eyes accompanied by severe eye pain, headaches, sensitivity to light, or fever should not be ignored. Most people self-diagnose this and assume it is a migraine, but that is not the only reason for such experiences. It could be inflammation, sinusitis, or orbital infection, to mention a few causes. Misdiagnosis and a wrong treatment approach could mask the underlying reason, only to reappear shortly. Over time, you will cause more damage to your eyes and overall health, stressing the need for professional attention.
Vomiting or nausea
Vomiting causes training that can subsequently burst the small blood vessels. This can cause subconjunctival hemorrhage, primarily appearing as a red part that overlies the sclera (eyes’ white part). Therefore, the redness could be due to an illness that causes nausea/vomiting, ranging from intestinal obstruction, motion sickness, anxiety and panic attacks, allergic reaction, food poisoning, sleep deprivation, pancreatic cancer, or reaction to drugs; the list is long. A doctor will consider all the symptoms and run a thorough diagnosis to address the underlying cause.
Swelling in or around your eyes
Red eyes that come with swelling in/around your eyes could simply be due to staring at your computer’s screen. It could also be due to poor hygiene, like dirty contact lenses or wearing them too long. An allergic reaction or injury is also a possibility. In other cases, it could indicate concerns like conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or glaucoma, among others.
Foreign objects
Chemical splashes in your eyes can cause more damage than you might anticipate. Even with a thorough cleaning, you might miss some spots that could cause problems later. Solid objects can also cause red eyes. Even after removal, you might still spot re eyes for days, especially if they did some damage. You might even feel like there are objects in your eyes. Immediate attention in such cases is necessary. The professionals know how to handle foreign objects, ensuring they do not cause significant damage.
Brief and occasional red-eye periods might not be worrying. Nonetheless, you need to seek immediate attention in the instances highlighted above. Contact Beverly Hills Optometry: Advanced Dry Eye Center today for all your eye care needs.
