Red Eyes Specialist

What causes red eye?

The redness comes from blood vessels on the surface of your eye that are dilated due to some form of infection or irritation.

If you wear your contact lenses improperly, or for too long, or in a place with lots of smoke in the air, your eyes may turn red. Other causes of red eye can include:

• Infections and allergies
• Eye strain from overuse
• Computer vision syndrome
• Scratch on the eye
• Lack of sleep
• Corneal ulcer
• Scleritis
• Glaucoma

Red eye can be alarming, but it’s usually a sign of a minor eye condition, such as a burst blood vessel or conjunctivitis. If your red eye is accompanied by pain, it may be a more serious problem.

When is red eye an emergency?

If your red eye doesn’t resolve within a few days or if your red eye is especially painful, you may need to visit Advanced Vision & Achievement Center for emergency eye care during normal business hours or your local emergency room for urgent care after hours.

It may be an emergency if you experience:

• Sudden vision changes
• The feeling that something is in your eye
• A severe headache, eye pain, unusual sensitivity to light, or a fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• A thick or continuous pus or mucus discharge
• Sudden halos around lights
• Swelling in or around your eye
• You’re unable to open your eye or keep it open

Occasional and brief periods of red eye aren’t typically a cause for concern. However, if you think it’s an emergency, or if you’ve previously had eye surgery or an eye injection, or if your red eye is caused by a foreign object or chemical substance, seek professional care.

What are the treatments for red eye?

Treatments for red eye might include over-the-counter or prescription eye-drops, oral antihistamines, or other medications that will constrict blood vessels to reduce redness.

An eye exam can help Dr. Amin or Dr. Hardy rule out any other underlying medical conditions. If your eyes are continually red, it can be a sign of excessive inflammation of the eyes or uveitis. Uveitis may be a symptom of certain chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis, or psoriasis.

Advanced Vision & Achievement Center also offers Ambiodisk® treatment, which can rejuvenate your corneas and treat red eye. Ambiodisk eliminates old, defective cells that may have been signaling your eyes to become dry, red, and irritated.

If you have red eye, book an appointment with Advanced Vision & Achievement Center online or over the phone today.