When Should I Worry About Chronic Red Eyes?

Do the whites of your eyes look red? Bloodshot eyes may be a minor cosmetic concern, but if your eyes are red for a few days, you should seek medical attention. 

Our board-certified ophthalmologists at Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, in Jacksonville, Florida, are the experts to visit if your eyes are red and bloodshot from an unexplained cause. Following are tips on when it’s time to see an eye specialist. If you’re unsure, call for an appointment. “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” as they say. 

When red eyes are a minor concern

Your eyes may become red when you have a cold; that’s perfectly normal. If you have seasonal or other allergies, you’re aware that your eyes may get red, watery, and itchy. Getting the correct allergy medication helps relieve your red-eye symptoms. 

If your eyes frequently look red, do you spend many hours working on your computer? You can develop eye strain and red eyes from staring at screens all day. You can ease the strain on your eyes by looking away from the computer often and taking breaks every 20 or 30 minutes. 

If you wear contact lenses and leave them too long, your eyes can become red. Remember to give your eyes a break from your contacts.

When you should see an eye specialist for red eyes 

Call our office if one or both of your eyes are red and you have any of these symptoms: 

• Eye pain
• A burning sensation
• Unexplained itching
• An eye injury 
• Headache with red eyes
• Light hurts your eyes
• A sudden change in vision, including blurry vision
• Halos around lights
• Swelling of your eye or eyelid
• Feeling of debris or dirt in the eye 
• Your eyes feel sticky or crusty

Red eyes with symptoms like these require medical attention. Some of the more common reasons red eyes need medical treatment include the following:

Eye inflammation and infections

You may have eye inflammation or an eye infection if one or both eyes are red. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It can become a bacterial eye infection; you may need antibiotic eye drops or ointment. 

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a very contagious eye infection. Your Wolchok ophthalmologist determines whether you have viral or bacterial conjunctivitis and treats your infection with antibiotics or antiviral drugs. 

Cellulitis is another type of eye infection for which you need treatment by an eye specialist. Keratitis is an inflammation of your cornea, which may be from an infection. 

Dry eyes

You could have a dry eye condition if your eyes sting, feel gritty and watery, or have blurred vision. Typically, glands in your eyes constantly produce tears to keep your eyes lubricated and protected from dirt, dust, and bacteria. 

When you have dry eyes, your eyes may not produce enough tears, or the moisture in your eyes may evaporate too rapidly. You may need special prescription eye drops. 

Eye disease 

Red eyes can be a symptom of glaucoma, an eye disease that damages your optic nerve, leading to vision loss. 

It’s critical to seek early treatment for glaucoma. Your Wolchok ophthalmologist may prescribe medication that lowers the pressure in your eyes. Your treatment depends on the type of glaucoma you have. 

Some eye cancers can cause red eyes. Early treatment helps save your vision. 

Call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or book an appointment online today if you have red eyes from an unexplained cause.