How To Remove Red Eyes Strains And Bloodshot Eyes

Eye fatigue or eye strain is a common and annoying condition. The symptoms include tired, itching, and burning eyes.

Eye fatigue is rarely a serious condition. Common sense precautions at home, work, and outdoors may help prevent or reduce eye fatigue.

But sometimes eye fatigue is a sign of an underlying condition that may need medical treatment. If eye fatigue persists despite taking simple precautions, see your doctor. This is especially important if your eye fatigue is associated with headaches or with eye problems such as:

*Discomfort
*Double vision
*Significant change in vision

Causes of Eye Fatigue

Any activity that requires intense use of the eyes -- such as extended amounts of driving or reading -- can cause eye fatigue. These include extended periods of:

Reading

Writing

Driving

Exposure to bright light or straining to see in dim light can also cause eye fatigue.

One of the most common causes of eye fatigue is staring for long periods at digital devices such as:

*Computer screens

*Smartphones

*Video games

This type of eye fatigue or eye strain is sometimes known as computer vision syndrome. It affects about 50%-90% of computer workers. Some estimates say computer-related eye symptoms may be responsible for up to 10 million primary care eye examinations each year.

The problem is expected to grow as more people use smartphones and other hand-held digital devices. Research shows that people hold digital devices closer to their eyes than they hold books and newspapers. That forces their eyes to work harder than usual as they strain to focus on tiny font sizes.

Digital devices may also be linked to eye fatigue because of a tendency to blink less often when staring at a computer screen. People usually blink about 18 times a minute. This naturally refreshes the eyes. But studies suggest that people only blink about half as often while using a computer or other digital device. This can result in dry, tired, itching, and burning eyes.

Symptoms of Eye Fatigue

Eye fatigue is associated with uncomfortable and annoying symptoms, such as:

*Sore or irritated eyes

*Difficulty focusing

*Dry or watery eyes

*Blurred or double vision

*Increased sensitivity to light

*Pain in the neck, shoulders, or back

These symptoms can decrease your productivity. They may be intensified by sleep deprivation. During sleep, the eyes are replenished with essential nutrients. Lack of sleep may result in persistent eye irritation.

What Is Red Eye?

"Red eye" is a general term used to describe red, irritated and bloodshot eyes. It also may refer to:

*Subconjunctival hemorrhage, or broken blood vessel on the sclera

*Blepharitis, or inflamed eyelids

*Stye, or a red bump on the eyelid

*Special-effect contact lenses to create a "crazy" red-eye effect

*Red eyes in photos

Red eyes occur when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye expand.

The appearance of red eye ranges in severity from a bright red that completely covers the sclera to a few enlarged blood vessels that look like wiggly red or pink lines across the "white" of the eye.

Red eyes usually are caused by allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses or common eye infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis).

However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma. If your red eye persists or worsens, always contact your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes of Red Eye

Conjunctivitis. Also called "pink eye," conjunctivitis is one of the most common (and contagious) eye infections, particularly among school children.

It occurs when the conjunctiva the thin, normally transparent membrane that covers the sclera and lines the eyelids becomes infected.

When the conjunctiva is infected, the blood vessels within it become irritated and swell, giving the eye a red or pink appearance. In fact, a reddish-pink eye is a telltale symptom of conjunctivitis.

There are different types of conjunctivitis  and therefore different ways to treat pink eye so be sure to always visit your eye doctor for correct diagnosis.

*Dry eyes. 

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your tear glands produce either an insufficient quantity or quality of tears to properly lubricate and nourish your eyes. Chronic dry eye can cause the surface of the eye to become inflamed and irritated, making your eyes look red.

While dry eye syndrome may not be curable, it can be managed. Treatment for dry eyes includes lubricating "artificial tears" eye drops and punctal plugs. Ask your eye care practitioner for the treatment options best for you.

*Allergy. 

Red eyes often are referred to as "allergy eyes," given that eye redness is a common indicator of an allergic reaction.

When your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, pet dander, dust or certain chemicals found in makeup or contact lens solutions, your body releases histamine as part of the inflammatory response that occurs to "fight off" the culprit allergens.

As a result, the histamine released causes blood vessels in your eyes to enlarge, making your eyes become red and watery.

Avoiding known allergens to which you are sensitive or taking medication advised by your doctor such as antihistamine eye drops can help keep dreaded hay fever and eye allergies at bay, especially during allergy seasons.

*Contact lenses. 

One of the main culprits of red eye is over-wearing or not properly caring for your contact lenses, which can cause a build-up of irritating surface deposits and microbes on your eye.

Red eyes while wearing contacts could be a sign of a serious eye infection, such as keratitis or fungal eye infections. If your eyes become red while wearing contact lenses, remove your contacts immediately and visit your eye doctor.

Contact lenses also can worsen dry eye syndrome, as they typically reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea and can restrict normal tear flow production, particularly with poorly fitting contacts.

You can minimize your risk of contact lens-induced red eye by keeping your lenses clean and disinfected, and replacing them according to your eye doctor's directions. Your doctor also may advise you to try daily disposable lenses or a different type of contact lens material, such as gas permeable (GP) lenses.

Your eyes have to work overtime when working at a computer for extended periods.

Computer vision syndrome. Red, burning and tired eyes go hand-in-hand with staring at a computer screen for too long, which can cause computer vision syndrome. One reason is that you blink less when working at a computer, which dries out the surface of your eye.

Tips to reduce computer eye strain include taking frequent breaks while working at a computer, modifying your workstation and wearing specially designed computer glasses. Lubricating eye drops also will can help to keep your eyes moist and healthy and red-free.

*Eye injury. 

Trauma or injury to the eye, including cosmetic eyelid surgery, can result in red, bloodshot eyes, sometimes accompanied by a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

As an inflammatory response to injury, blood vessels in your eye dilate to allow more blood flow to the site of the injury for quicker healing. This dilation (and sometimes breakage) of blood vessels on the eye is what causes the redness.

Eye injuries can range from minor eye scratches (corneal abrasions) to deep puncture wounds and chemical burns. Whatever the source, always treat an eye injury as a medical emergency and see an eye doctor immediately.

Tips For Preventing Red Eyes

✔ Don't rub your eyes  irritants on your hands and fingers can cause even more redness and irritation. Plus, you could scratch your cornea doing so.

✔ Practice good hygiene when wearing contact lenses. Contacts and contact lens cases can act as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, so it's important to follow your eye doctor's instructions about cleaning and replacing your contacts.

✔ Speak to your doctor about allergy medications to help keep allergies at bay.

✔ Take a break from looking at the computer screen and follow the 20-20-20 rule: look away from your computer every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

✔ Schedule an eye exam to rule out a more sinister cause of red eyes such as eye disease or a sight-threatening infection.

✔ Don't over-use "whitening" eye drops  they can make your eyes redder over time!

Other Causes of Red Eyes

Corneal ulcer. Infections of the cornea, including a corneal ulcer, are potentially sight-threatening and should be treated as an emergency. In addition to red eyes, corneal ulcer symptoms almost always include eye pain, reduced vision and eye discharge.

A corneal ulcer typically is caused by an untreated eye infection or trauma to the eye.

Ocular herpes. Also called eye herpes, this is a recurrent viral infection caused by the type 1 herpes simplex virus  the same virus that causes common cold sores.

Signs and symptoms of ocular herpes include eye redness, swollen eyes, eye pain, watery discharge and light sensitivity.

Herpes of the eye can cause scarring of the cornea if left untreated, and in some cases may require a cornea transplant to restore vision.

Red Eyes Treatment

Treatment for red eyes varies, depending on its cause. Contact your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment anytime you develop red, irritated eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, always remove them if you are experiencing bloodshot or irritated eyes.

Remedies for red eyes range from rest, cool compresses over your eyes and over-the-counter eye drops to more aggressive treatment such as antibiotics or even surgery.

Remember, if red eyes are accompanied by eye pain, light sensitivity, swelling or blurry vision, see your eye doctor immediately for urgent treatment.