know the possible causes and precautions to be taken

Red eye is a recurrent manifestation, which is not always a serious problem. Know the causes and precautions to be taken.

O Red eye It is a common problem that is due to the rupture of blood vessels on the surface of the eye. As a result, the eyeball begins to exhibit a pink or reddish hue.

Red eye can have many associated causes, from the most benign to the most severe. However, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist for a correct and accurate diagnosis of the problem that is at the origin of this condition. Get to know more.

Red eye: main causes

Red eye can have different associated causes, such as:

• infections;
• allergies;
• inflammations;
• injuries;
• hemorrhages.

These problems may have different clinical implications and levels of severity.

Conjunctivitis

Red eye is often associated with an infection by conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial – manifesting itself through an abundant purulent secretion – or viral – presenting a more mucous secretion and in smaller quantities.

Conjunctivitis can still be a consequence of ocular allergies. These allergies can be caused by pollen, dust, perfume, smoke and mold and can also manifest themselves through sneezing, tearing, itching and burning.

In general, this is a health problem with a favorable prognosis, as long as it is properly treated.

infections

A red eye can also be the result of infectious processes that affect the cornea, such as ulcers and abscesses. In this case, the most frequent symptoms are severe pain and vision loss.

The origin of infections is often an incorrect use of contact lenses. To solve this health problem, an early and aggressive treatment must be carried out, in order to avoid sequelae.

Another type of possible eye infection is blepharitis, in which the eyelids and eyelashes become inflamed. The origin of this problem is usually the accumulation of oil in the glands, which favors the emergence of bacteria on the eyelids and eyelashes. Consequently, there may be ocular burning, itching, swollen eyelids and a red eye.

subconjunctival hemorrhage

This is a frequent and benign cause of red eyes. This type of bleeding is usually associated with minor trauma or blood pressure spikes. This kind of problem does not need any treatment.

inflammations

There are several inflammations that can affect the external or intraocular surface. Some of them are related to autoimmune or infectious systemic diseases. In these pictures, there are symptoms such as pain, decreased visual acuity and increased sensitivity to light.

Some examples of eye inflammation are: episcleritis, scleritis and uveitis. Therapeutic approaches must be defined, on a case-by-case basis, according to medical assessment and decision.

eye trauma

Ocular trauma can be mechanical, chemical or physical. In either case, it can manifest itself through the red eye. The type and severity of trauma can vary greatly from situation to situation.

eye dryness

When the eyes have little moisture natural and poorly lubricated, your blood vessels and membranes can stretch, which can lead to red eye, eye pain, corneal ulcers and, in more serious situations, loss of vision.

post-surgical complications

if you made a eye operation and he has a red eye, so this could be a consequence of the surgery. In this case, it is important to immediately consult the doctor who was responsible for the surgical procedure, so that he can assess the situation.

Red eye: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Symptoms

Depending on its cause, red eye can be associated with several symptoms, such as:

• irritation and burning sensation;
• permanent eye itching;
• dryness;
• mild to severe eye pain;
• secretion;
• tearing;
• blurred vision;
• sensitivity to intense light.

Diagnosis

As the red eye can have different causes, a medical evaluation and an ophthalmological examination are particularly important for an objective and rigorous diagnosis. Consultation with a specialist is even more urgent if there is pain or decreased visual acuity.

Even so, we can consider that, when there is no pain or loss of visual acuity, the red eye is usually a benign problem. On the other hand, if there is pain and/or impairment of visual acuity, we may be facing a more severe picture of the disease.

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Red eye treatment

As we have seen, the treatment for red eye varies greatly depending on its cause. However, in general, therapy may involve prescribing eye drops, antibiotics, eye creams and oral medications related to allergy treatments.

However, it is worth emphasizing the importance of consulting an ophthalmologist before starting any type of treatment.

Precautions to take to avoid red eye

There are some precautions you can take to prevent red eye. Take note of some of them:

• preferring artificial tears to antibiotic drops;
• do not scratch your eyes;
• apply, in cases of eye irritation, cold compresses on the eyelids, for a few minutes, 3 or 4 times a day;
• use a proper, damp towel to remove crusts that exist around the edges of the eyes;
• take antihistamines, in case of ocular sensitivity;
• do not use expired cosmetics;
• frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap or disinfectant;
• remove all eye makeup;
• avoid wearing contact lenses longer than recommended;
• clean contact lenses with their own solution and keep them in a clean box;
• avoid contact with irritating substances such as dust, mold or other allergens.