Eye redness

Alternative Names:

Bloodshot eyes; Red eyes; Scleral injection; Conjunctival injection.
Home Care:

For fatigue or eyestrain, try to rest your eyes. No treatment is necessary.

If you have conjunctivitis:

Avoid touching the infected eye and then rubbing the other eye -- the infection can spread from one eye to the other.
Apply cool or warm compresses throughout the day.
Over-the-counter homeopathic eye drops may provide relief.
Do not use eye makeup or wear contact lenses until the infection has cleared. Throw away items like these that you used in your infected eye.
Wash your hands frequently.

If you have blepharitis:

Apply warm compresses to your eyes for 5 minutes. Do this at least 2 times per day.
Using a cotton swab, gently rub a solution of warm water and no-tears baby shampoo along your eyelid, where the lash meets the lid. Do this in the morning and before you go to bed.

Call your health care provider if:

Go to the hospital or call 911 if:

Call your doctor if:

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination which will include a detailed eye exam.

To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

Are both of your eyes affected? If only one eye, which one?
What part of the eye is affected -- the white part, or elsewhere?
Did the redness come on suddenly?
Have you ever had eye redness before?
Do you have eye pain? Does it get worse after movement of the eyes?
Do you have other symptoms like eye discharge, burning or itching? Nausea or vomiting? A headache?

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

Prevention:

To prevent conjunctivitis:

DO NOT share anything that has touched the eye of someone with this contagious condition -- like pillowcases, sheets, towels, or eyeliner.
Wash your hands right away if you have come in contact with someone with conjunctivitis.
Wash out any chemicals or objects from your eye immediately.

References:

Greenberg MF. The red eye in childhood. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2003; 50(1): 105-124.

Pasternak A, Irish B. Ophthalmologic infections in primary care. Clin Fam Pract. 2004; 6(1): 19.

Rodriguez JO. Prevention and treatment of common eye injuries in sports. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 67(7): 1481-1488.