• Alternative names
• Defination
• Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors

• Prevention
• Symptoms
• Signs & Tests
• Treatment

• Expectations
• Complications
• Calling Your health care provider

Alternative Names

Bloodshot eyes; scleral injection; conjunctival injection; red eye(s)

Defination

Dilated blood vessels or a nonuniform redness of the surface of the eye.

Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors

Considerations
Bloodshot eyes appear red because the vessels in the surface of the white portion of the eye (sclera) become enlarged. This may result from mechanical irritation, environmental factors such as extremely dry air, sunburned sclera, allergic reactions, infection, and other medical conditions. A bright red, uniformly dense bloody area on the sclera results from a small amount of bleeding into the sclera. It is often first noted in the morning on arising. This is a fairly common occurrence and of little significance. If upon awakening in the morning, you notice a bloody blotch in one eye that doesn't hurt but just looks bad, don't worry. It is usually due to eyestrain or fatigue, and it generally clears up on its own after a few days.

Common causes are

• eyestrain
• fatigue
• blepharitis
• foreign bodies in the cornea and conjunctiva
• conjunctivitis
• corneal abrasion
• corneal ulcers and infections
• iritis
• ocular lacerations and intraocular foreign bodies
• uveitis

Note: There may be other causes of bloodshot eyes. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as exact location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for bloodshot eyes, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Prevention

For fatigue or eyestrain, try to rest; no treatment is necessary. Otherwise, see your primary health care provider or an ophthalmologist for medical treatment.

If conjunctivitis is suspected or confirmed, avoid touching the infected eye and then rubbing the other eye--this condition is very contagious. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signs & Tests

• Bloodshot eyes persists for longer than one or two days.
• There is unexplained eye pain and vision problems.

Treatment

Medical history questions documenting eye redness in detail may include:

• location
  • Are both eyes affected?
  • If only one eye, which one?
  • What part of the eye is affected--all of the white part, or just a small location?
• time pattern
  • Did it begin suddenly?
  • Has it ever happened before?
  • Does it persist?
• Other
  • Does it get worse after movement of the eyes?
  • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination may include a detailed eye examination.

Intervention: The eyes may need irrigation with normal saline solution, and any foreign bodies will need to be removed. Eye drops may be prescribed.

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