Revealing the True Causes ofBloodshot Eyes
Waking up with bloodshot eyes can be a startling way to start your day. They don’t look great, but are they dangerous? There are many questions, answers, and rumors about the causes of bloodshot eyes. It’s time to put them to rest. Learn the causes of bloodshot eyes and when it’s worth being concerned.
What Are Bloodshot Eyes?
Bloodshot eyes are when the whites of your eyes turn red, which is why they’re also called red eyes. This can happen when the blood vessels in your eyes become more pronounced through inflammation or even burst, leading to redness.
Your eyes can become bloodshot for numerous reasons, including irritation, medical conditions, or injury. One or both eyes can become bloodshot.
When your eyes are bloodshot, they may feel completely normal, so you don’t realize they’re bloodshot until you look in the mirror. However, bloodshot eyes can come with other symptoms, such as:
- Eye pain
- Itchiness
- Eye discharge
- Swollen lids
- Blurred vision
6 Common Rumors about Bloodshot Eyes
Here are six common beliefs about the causes of bloodshot eyes, but are they fact or fiction?
Rumor 1: Staring at Screens Causes Bloodshot Eyes
We’ve all heard that sitting close to a TV or computer will ruin our eyes. It’s probably the first thing you get asked about if your eyes start to turn red.
Screen Time Might Indirectly Give You Red Eyes
The truth is that staring at screens alone won’t cause bloodshot eyes. The problem is that humans naturally don’t blink as much while staring at screens. This lack of blinking dries out our eyes and creates irritation.
If that dryness or irritation isn’t cared for, that leads to eye strain because the eyes work harder. Having eye strain for too long creates bloodshot eyes.
Rumor 2: Drinking Alcohol or Smoking Too Much Will Give You Bloodshot Eyes
We all know that excessive drinking and smoking are harmful for our general health, but what about eye health?
Alcohol Might Contribute to Red Eyes
It’s important to note that alcohol is a diuretic. This means it dehydrates you—one of the reasons you develop hangovers. Diuretics affect the eyes as well, leading to dryness and irritation. If you end up drinking in excess, you may develop red eyes, but you’re just as likely not to.
However, continuous heavy alcohol use will cause significant harm to your overall health and make bloodshot eyes more common for you. Constant use of alcohol will cause your blood vessels to swell, making it more likely they’ll burst.
It’s No Rumor: Smoking Contributes to Red Eyes
Smoking for long periods does cause bloodshot eyes. In general, smoke of any kind is drying and irritating to the eye, so constantly being surrounded by it will irritate your eyes. If the irritation isn’t treated, it can lead to bloodshot eyes—especially in people who wear contacts.
There’s also the effect of the chemicals within cigarettes that can make you vulnerable to bloodshot eyes.
Rumor 3: Having Bloodshot Eyes Always Means a Serious Health Problem
Seeing bloodshot eyes in the mirror can be scary. It’s easy to assume the worst, but is it a sign you need to go to the emergency room?
Bloodshot Eyes Can Be No Big Deal
No, bloodshot eyes don’t necessarily mean you have a serious health problem. Most of the time, bloodshot eyes happen for “harmless” reasons:
- Irritation
- Dryness
- Everyday eye strain
- Allergies
- Lack of sleep
- Environmental irritants
However, depending on your other symptoms, bloodshot eyes could mean you should still see an eye doctor.
Rumor 4: Using Eye Drops Is the Cure for Bloodshot Eyes
When experiencing dry or irritated eyes, you may reach for eye drops. Can they be the cure-all every time you experience bloodshot eyes?
Nope! Eye Drops Don’t Fix Red Eyes
Eye drops provide moisture that helps relieve the problems that come with bloodshot eyes, such as dryness and irritation, but they won’t cure bloodshot eyes on their own.
In fact, if you overuse eye drops, they could just make everything worse.
Instead, proper eye rest, removing allergens from your home, and using eye drops can help fix bloodshot eyes. If you still have bloodshot eyes, you may have to see an eye doctor to make sure it’s not something more serious.
Rumor 5: Wearing Contacts Too Long Causes Bloodshot Eyes
After a long day, our eyes can feel fatigued—especially for contact wearers. If you wear contacts, you’ve probably forgotten to remove them now and then or just decided to sleep in them—but do contact lenses cause bloodshot eyes?
Yep, Contacts May Lead to Red Eyes
Wearing contacts can cause bloodshot eyes if you’re wearing them too long, not washing them properly, or wearing contacts that don’t fit right. In those cases, contact lenses can cause dryness and irritation—not to mention potential infections.
Rumor 6: Menopause and Pregnancy Cause Bloodshot Eyes
Both menopause and pregnancy can create a lot of changes within the body, but do they affect your eyes?
Hormone Changes Can Lead to Dry, Red Eyes
Yes, both menopause and pregnancy can cause bloodshot eyes. This is because hormones during both periods fluctuate, leading to dry eyes. If not cared for, dry eyes can become bloodshot.
The Real Causes of Bloodshot Eyes
It’s time to look closer at the actual causes of bloodshot eyes. You’ll also learn how to soothe bloodshot eyes when you experience these problems.
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Dry Eyes
Moisture is crucial for your eyes. Dry eyes occur when the eyes don’t make enough tears or the moisture evaporates too fast. Most people don’t think about how their eyes need moisture, but dry eyes can lead to inflammation, itchiness, and irritation.
You can develop dry eyes because of:
- Age
- Changes in hormones
- Medical conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus)
- Medications (such as antihistamines, birth control pills, or antidepressants)
- Smoking
- Too much fat in your diet
- Environmental irritants (such as wind or dust)
- Lack of blinking
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Allergies
Allergies cause many problems, from stuffy noses to irritated eyes. They’re impossible to ignore. Allergies can cause bloodshot eyes by constantly irritating them.
When your eyes are always irritated, it can be hard to produce moisture, and then you’ll rub them, causing inflammation and bursting of blood vessels. Sneezing too hard can also cause bloodshot eyes—that’s why you can get bloodshot eyes from a cold.
Luckily, limiting exposure to allergens and using eye drops can help soothe allergy-induced eye irritation. If your allergies are seasonal, it may be smart to wear glasses instead of contacts during that season to limit potential irritants.
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Environmental Factors
The eye is a sensitive organ and is vulnerable to diverse environmental factors. Your eyes can become bloodshot because of:
- Wind
- Dust
- Smoke
- Pollution
- Chemicals like chlorine
- The sun
That last factor may surprise you, but yes, eyes can get sunburned.
The best way to protect your eyes from these environmental irritations is to:
- Wear sunglasses
- Implement good contact hygiene
- Wear sunglasses
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Eye Strain
Eye strain is when your eyes become tired after using them without breaks—for example, staring intently at a screen. Symptoms of eye strain include:
- Aching eyes
- Itchiness
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Headaches
The best way to prevent eye strain is to stay aware of your eyes while you do tasks. Make sure to blink enough while staring at screens, take breaks to look at things far away when you’re focused on things in front of you, and use eye drops when needed.
You can also use Evolve lenses, a new anti-eye fatigue product for glasses wearers.
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Infections and Medical Conditions
Certain infections and medical conditions can cause bloodshot eyes. These include:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye): This infection inflames the lining of your eyelid. This can also cause the whites of your eyes to become inflamed and turn red.
- General infections: Bacterial and viral infections can cause inflammation and bloodshot eyes. This can include direct infections of the eyes or total body infections, which is why people sometimes end up with bloodshot eyes from COVID.
- Glaucoma: A medical condition where fluid builds up in the front of your eyes. The fluid pressure can cause bloodshot eyes.
- Episcleritis: This condition is when the episclera, a clear tissue on the whites of your eyes, becomes inflamed. The little blood vessels within the tissue also become inflamed and can burst, leading to bloodshot eyes.
- Blepharitis: This condition causes inflammation of the eyelids due to a clogged oil gland—which can cause styes. Again, inflammation can lead to bloodshot eyes if not cared for.
The best way to prevent eye strain is to stay aware of your eyes while you do tasks. Make sure to blink enough while staring at screens, take breaks to look at things far away when you’re focused on things in front of you, and use eye drops when needed.
You can also use Evolve lenses, a new anti-eye fatigue product for glasses wearers.
When to See a Doctor for Bloodshot Eyes
As already mentioned, it’s smart to see a doctor if you have any of the conditions listed above or are experiencing eye pain. Other symptoms to be concerned about include discharge and vision changes.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Most of the time, the causes of bloodshot eyes are harmless and the problem clears up within a few days. If you have any concerns that it’s a bigger problem, though, you should go to a doctor.
Look for the closest Visionworks for an eye exam or a new pair of glasses for allergy season.
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
