Why Are My Eyes Red?

Have you ever woken up to bloodshot eyes staring back at you through the mirror? Find out the reasons behind it.

Waking up with red eyes is a possibility for everyone. This mostly happens when the eyes get irritated by allergens or due to some changes in your daily routine.

If this is the first time you have woken up with bloodshot eyes, then the condition might be easy to diagnose. The following could be the reasons behind it:

• Allergies
• Issues with your contact lenses or eye drops
• Dry eyes
• Irritants such as dust particles
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Sty (painful lump on the edge of eyelids)
• Inflammation due to blepharitis, episcleritis, iritis, keratitis, scleritis or uveitis
• Complications after a recent eye surgery you had

How Can I Treat My Red Eyes at Home?

Half of these conditions can be treated at home or might even clear up without any treatment. You can also try these home remedies:

• Use over-the-counter artificial tears to flush out any foreign objects in the eyes
• Use over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops to treat allergies
• Apply cool compresses (or a cool, damp washcloth) to your closed eyes a few times each day
• Avoid common irritants including cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, chlorine, pet dander, and allergens
• Wash your bedding and towels every day with hot water
• Do not touch your eyes unless you have just washed your hands

When should I see my eye doctor?

If the redness doesn’t go away in a week, then it is recommended to consult an eye care professional near you, as you may have a serious eye infection.