What causes sudden eye redness?
Dec 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Man
Introduction
Sudden eye congestion, commonly known as red eye. When the eyelid is red, it is often due to inflammation of the eyelid skin, such as blepharitis, hordeolum, secondary infection of chalazion, or trauma. Redness of the conjunctiva may present as conjunctival congestion or ciliary congestion, seen in various acute and chronic conjunctivitis or keratitis, iridocyclitis, scleritis, as well as in acute glaucoma attacks, endophthalmitis, and ocular trauma.
In daily life, many people may suddenly experience eye redness without knowing the exact cause, which can affect their daily activities. What causes sudden eye redness?
What Causes Sudden Eye Redness?
Sudden eye redness, commonly known as bloodshot eyes, often results from inflammation of the eyelid skin when the eyelid appears red—such as in blepharitis, styes, secondary infections of chalazia, or trauma. When the conjunctiva becomes red, it may involve conjunctival congestion or ciliary congestion, seen in various acute and chronic conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, scleritis, as well as in acute glaucoma attacks, endophthalmitis, and ocular trauma. If sudden eye redness occurs, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmology department at a hospital for proper evaluation and treatment based on the doctor’s diagnosis, to prevent worsening of the condition and potential vision damage.
If the eye suddenly becomes red but without any discomfort, and there is a clearly defined, bright red patch on the conjunctiva, it could be subconjunctival hemorrhage. This may result from straining after minor eye trauma or from ruptured small blood vessels on the eye surface due to hypertension, especially in older adults.
When the eye is noticeably bloodshot and accompanied by symptoms such as irritation, soreness, or itching, eye fatigue may be the cause, and adequate rest should be taken promptly. Avoid looking at phones or computers, and consider using anti-fatigue eye drops or artificial tears. If significant itching is present, it may indicate allergic conjunctivitis caused by exposure to allergens. In such cases, anti-allergy eye drops should be considered, and efforts should be made to identify the source of the allergy. We hope this article has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and a happy life!
