RED EYE

We've all experienced red, bloodshot eyes from time to time, affecting one or both eyes.

"Red eye" is a general term used to describe red, irritated and bloodshot eyes.

 It  is caused by swollen or dilated blood vessels on the sclera, the white outer surface of the eye.

Red eyes can be accompanied by eye pain, itching, eye discharge , swollen eyes or visual disturbances such as blurry vision In other cases, a red eye may cause no irritation at all.

Bloodshot eyes can develop over time or appear suddenly, particularly in response to allergies or an eye injury.

Red eyes occur when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye expand.

The appearance of red eye ranges in severity from a bright red that completely covers the sclera to a few enlarged blood vessels that look like wiggly red or pink lines across the "white" of the eye.

Red eyes usually are caused by allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses or common eye infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis).

Eyes infected with Conjuctivitis. photo by Emmanuel Ewaju

However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as glaucoma .If your red eye persists or worsens, always contact your eye Doctor for  proper diagnosis and treatment.

Red eye is caused by Conjunctivitis. Also called "pink eye" conjunctivitis is one of the most common (and contagious) eye infections.

It occurs when the conjunctiva — the thin, normally transparent membrane that covers the sclera and lines the eyelids — becomes infected.

When the conjunctiva is infected, the blood vessels within it become irritated and swell, giving the eye a red or pink appearance. In fact, a reddish-pink eye is a telltale symptom of conjunctivitis.

There are different types of conjunctivitis — and therefore different ways to treat pink eye — so be sure to always visit your eye doctor for correct diagnosis.

Story by Emmanuel Ewaju