Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConcerning SymptomsWhat to DoDiagnosisFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Concerning Symptoms
What to Do
Diagnosis
FAQ
Mostcauses of bloodshot eyesaren’t dangerous. Eye redness is usually short-lived and resolves on its own. However, it can sometimes be a sign of a serious condition that requires treatment, such as a severe infection, a corneal ulcer, or glaucoma.
This article discusses red eyes and other symptoms that should not be ignored. It explains when bloodshot eyes may be serious, less-concerning causes of red eyes, and how a provider will come to reach a diagnosis.
Dimitri Otis Collection/Stone / Getty Images
When Red Eyes Are Concerning
Seeking medical treatment at the first sign of a problem can help you get a proper and prompt diagnosis, prevent more serious issues, and preserve your vision. In some cases, urgent medical attention is recommended.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision is a symptom of many neurological disorders, as well as conditions that affect the eyes.
Don’t delay in getting a medical evaluation if you are having these symptoms.
Pain
Conjunctivitis, a common viral infection often referred to as pink eye, may cause discomfort or scratchiness of the eye but not extreme pain.
Conditions that cause significant eye pain that may also involve eye redness includekeratitis, acorneal ulcer,iridocyclitis, acute open-angle glaucoma, or acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Left Eye Pain: Why It Hurts and How to Relieve It
Sensitivity to Light
Photophobia, which is extreme sensitivity to light, is common with migraines and after head injuries. Along with eye redness, it can also be a symptom of eye irritation, inflammation, or any type of damage to the eye.
Light sensitivity is a general symptom that occurs when thecornea(the clear covering in front of your eye) is irritated, such as from a corneal abrasion or corneal ulcer.
Other possible causes of sensitivity to light include:
Sensitivity to light can also be a side effect of medication. Phenylephrine, scopolamine, ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall, and eye drops used to dilate pupils or treat viral infections list light sensitivity as a side effect.
Street drugs like cocaine, methamphetamines, and other amphetamines can also cause sensitivity to light. In some cases, sensitivity to light does not have an identifiable cause.
Colored Halos
Colored halos are a symptom of cataracts, corneal edema, and acute closed-angle glaucoma.These conditions can also cause redness in the eyes, but that is not always the case.
When you have swelling in your eye, the cornea becomes thicker. As it thickens, it also becomes cloudy. When this occurs, light scatters, and you see halos.
Discharge
Some eye discharge is normal. The eyes are self-lubricating and routinely produce small amounts of mucus and tears.
However, excessive or unusual discharge is another story. Signs that eye discharge should be evaluated include:
When to See Your Provider ASAP
What to Do About Red Eyes
If you don’t have these other symptoms, it’s likely that your red eyes are due to something benign like dryness, allergies, or an irritant (like smoke in the air).
If your eyes are red and itchy as a result of allergies, you can try using over-the-counter eyedrops to relieve your symptoms. Artificial tears can also help with dry eyes.
An over-the-counter eyewash solution may be helpful, too.
If you have red eyes that don’t improve on their own within a few days or get worse over time, you should see a healthcare provider—even if no other symptoms arise.
How Eye Conditions Are Diagnosed
Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may take a sample of the fluid in your eye, test how your pupils respond to light, or ask you to read an eye chart.
Summary
Most of the time, red eyes are not a reason to worry. They will usually resolve on their own in a day or two. Sometimes, though, red eyes can be a sign of a more serious condition.
If you have eye redness with sensitivity to light, blurry vision, pain, or discharge, or if you are seeing halos, see your eye healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common causes of red eyes include:AllergiesBlepharitisConjunctivitisDry eyeGlaucomaInjury
Some common causes of red eyes include:
You can treat minor cases of redness and irritation with rest, over-the-counter eye drops, gently washing eyelids, and cool compresses over the eyes. If you have additional symptoms or redness persists, see your eye healthcare provider.Learn MoreHow to Treat Red Eyes
You can treat minor cases of redness and irritation with rest, over-the-counter eye drops, gently washing eyelids, and cool compresses over the eyes. If you have additional symptoms or redness persists, see your eye healthcare provider.
Learn MoreHow to Treat Red Eyes
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Eye redness.Uveitis. National Institutes of Health. National Eye Institute.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pink eye.Upadhyay MP, Srinivasan M, Whitcher JP.Diagnosing and managing microbial keratitis.Community Eye Health. 2015;28(89):3–6.PMID: 26435583Digre KB, Brennan KC.Shedding light on photophobia.J Neuroophthalmol. 2012;32(1):68–81. doi:10.1097/WNO.0b013e3182474548Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Photophobia.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Halos around lights.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Discharge from eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Redness-relieving eye drops.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye exam and vision testing basics.Cleveland Clinic.Red eye.American Academy of Opthalmology.Why are my eyes bloodshot when I wake up?Additional ReadingR. Douglasss Cullom, Jr., Benjamin Chang, The Wills Eye Manual Office and Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 2nd edition. Rev. ed. of: Wills Eye Hospital Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 1990. ISBN 0-397-51380-1. Chapter Differential Diagnosis of Ocular Symptoms, Pages 1-6 and Differential Diagnosis of Ocular Signs; Pages 7-17.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Eye redness.Uveitis. National Institutes of Health. National Eye Institute.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pink eye.Upadhyay MP, Srinivasan M, Whitcher JP.Diagnosing and managing microbial keratitis.Community Eye Health. 2015;28(89):3–6.PMID: 26435583Digre KB, Brennan KC.Shedding light on photophobia.J Neuroophthalmol. 2012;32(1):68–81. doi:10.1097/WNO.0b013e3182474548Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Photophobia.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Halos around lights.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Discharge from eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Redness-relieving eye drops.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye exam and vision testing basics.Cleveland Clinic.Red eye.American Academy of Opthalmology.Why are my eyes bloodshot when I wake up?Additional ReadingR. Douglasss Cullom, Jr., Benjamin Chang, The Wills Eye Manual Office and Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 2nd edition. Rev. ed. of: Wills Eye Hospital Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 1990. ISBN 0-397-51380-1. Chapter Differential Diagnosis of Ocular Symptoms, Pages 1-6 and Differential Diagnosis of Ocular Signs; Pages 7-17.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Eye redness.Uveitis. National Institutes of Health. National Eye Institute.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pink eye.Upadhyay MP, Srinivasan M, Whitcher JP.Diagnosing and managing microbial keratitis.Community Eye Health. 2015;28(89):3–6.PMID: 26435583Digre KB, Brennan KC.Shedding light on photophobia.J Neuroophthalmol. 2012;32(1):68–81. doi:10.1097/WNO.0b013e3182474548Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Photophobia.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Halos around lights.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Discharge from eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Redness-relieving eye drops.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye exam and vision testing basics.Cleveland Clinic.Red eye.American Academy of Opthalmology.Why are my eyes bloodshot when I wake up?
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Eye redness.
Uveitis. National Institutes of Health. National Eye Institute.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pink eye.
Upadhyay MP, Srinivasan M, Whitcher JP.Diagnosing and managing microbial keratitis.Community Eye Health. 2015;28(89):3–6.PMID: 26435583
Digre KB, Brennan KC.Shedding light on photophobia.J Neuroophthalmol. 2012;32(1):68–81. doi:10.1097/WNO.0b013e3182474548
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Photophobia.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Halos around lights.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Discharge from eye.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about tears.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Redness-relieving eye drops.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye exam and vision testing basics.
Cleveland Clinic.Red eye.
American Academy of Opthalmology.Why are my eyes bloodshot when I wake up?
R. Douglasss Cullom, Jr., Benjamin Chang, The Wills Eye Manual Office and Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 2nd edition. Rev. ed. of: Wills Eye Hospital Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 1990. ISBN 0-397-51380-1. Chapter Differential Diagnosis of Ocular Symptoms, Pages 1-6 and Differential Diagnosis of Ocular Signs; Pages 7-17.
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