Red eye is a common problem that can affect one or both eyes. A red eye is usually nothing to worry about, and often gets better on its own, but sometimes it can be more serious – and you will need to get medical help.
Common causes of a red eye
There are different things that can cause a red eye. Very often, associated symptoms might give your doctor an idea on what is the cause. If there is an outbreak or a cluster of cases it might point to a particular organism – usually a virus. Common causes include the following:
• Allergies
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
• Complication from a recent eye surgery
• Contact lens complication
• Corneal abrasion (scratch)
• Corneal herpetic infections (herpes)
• Dry eyes (decreased production of tears)
• Episcleritis (inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye)
• Eye drops side effect or complication
• Foreign object in the eye
• Glaucoma (group of conditions that damage the optic nerve)
• Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
• Injury, such as from a blunt trauma or burn
• Iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye)
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye)
• Uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye)
When to seek medical attention
Not all individuals with a red eye need to get urgent medical attention. Individuals with the following should seek urgent attention for red eye if:
• Your vision changes suddenly
• It is accompanied by severe headache, eye pain, fever or unusual sensitivity to light
• You also experience nausea or vomiting
• It is caused by a foreign object or chemical splashed in your eye
• You suddenly begin to see halos around lights
• You feel as if something is in your eye
• You have swelling in or around your eyes
• You are unable to open your eye or keep your eye open
People do not need to see a doctor every time their eyes are red. You should contact your doctor for an appointment if you have red eye that does not clear up after several days, especially if you have a thick or nearly continuous pus or mucous discharge. If you had recent eye surgery and develop pain please seek urgent medical attention.
Pink eye
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they are more visible. This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink.
Pink eye is commonly caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct.
Though pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye. As pink eye can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread. If you child has pink eye please keep him/her at home. Avoid sending your child to school. If you have any concerns, contact your school or school nurse. Pink eye can easily spread from one child to another.
Preventing the spread of pink eye
There are many things you can do to prevent the spread of pink eye. You can practise good hygiene to control the spread of pink eye by doing the following:
• Do not touch your eyes with your hands.
• Wash your hands often.
• Use a clean towel and washcloth daily.
• Do not share towels or washcloths.
• Change your pillowcases often.
• Throw away your eye cosmetics such as mascara.
• Do not share eye cosmetics or personal eye care items.
Preventing pink eye in newborns
Newborns’ eyes are susceptible to bacteria normally present in the mother’s birth canal. These bacteria cause no symptoms in the mother. In rare cases, these bacteria can cause infants to develop a serious form of conjunctivitis, known as ophthalmia neonatorum, which needs treatment without delay to preserve sight. That is why, shortly after birth, an antibiotic ointment is applied to every newborn’s eyes. The ointment helps prevent eye infection.
Treatment of red eyes
It is important to determine why eyes are red before treating symptoms. Treatment will depend on the exact cause of the red eye. In most cases of red eye the symptom is usually fleeting and annoying rather than long-lasting or dangerous. It is, however, important to find the exact cause of red eye before starting treatment. People should note that anti-redness drops would not treat underlying problems.
Conclusion
Most cases of “red eye”, seen in general practice, are likely to be conjunctivitis or a superficial corneal injury. However, red eye, can also indicate a serious eye condition such as acute angle glaucoma, iritis, keratitis or scleritis. If you have red eye and other symptoms, it is important to get medical advice.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-eight years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
