Curing Bloodshot Eyes

Common Causes Of Bloodshot Eyes

If your bloodshot eyes are caused by something else, and the redness persists, you should consult with your doctor or ophthalmologist. He or she may prescribe eye drops designed for curing bloodshot eyes.

If your bloodshot eyes are caused by pink eye (conjunctivitis) or some other kind of eye infection, avoid rubbing your eyes or touching the area around them. Don't share washcloths or sleep in the same area that someone else might (like a sofa). Pink eye is very contagious and pink eye germs are easily transmitted from one surface to another where they can come in contact with other people and pets (yes, dogs and cats get pink eye too).

Curing bloodshot eyes caused by conjunctivitis often involves taking antibiotics. More than half of all pink eye cases are bacterial. The rest are caused by viruses, environmental irritants or allergies. See medications for treating pink eye.

Bloodshot eyes can also be caused by a number of eye problems that are commonly described as "red eyes." Red eyes result when the sclera, or small blood vessels on the surface of the eye, become enlarged and congested with blood. Usually this has been triggered by a lack of oxygen in the cornea or the tissues covering the eyes.

Here a list of the most common causes of bloodshot eyes:

• eye strain
• fatigue
• overuse of alcohol
• allergies
• improper nutrition
• eye infections and inflammations like pink eye (conjunctivitis), which may cause pain and irritation,
• corneal abrasions and ulcers
• vitamin deficiency (especially Vitamin B2 or riboflavin and B6 or pyridoxine)
• amino acid deficiency (especially histidine, lysine or phenylalanine)
• trauma, like a punch or other types of blows to the face or head
• diabetes, kidney problems (especially kidney stones)
• liver disease
• menstruation and conditions related to menopause
• pregnancy
• mumps,
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, sometimes called spastic colon

Non-medical causes of bloodshot eyes include:

• overuse of contact lenses
• extremely dry air
• pollutants in the air
• chemical fumes
• smoke, including tobacco smoke
• cosmetics
• sun exposure

Bloodshot eyes symptoms Sometimes, bloodshot eyes are symptoms of some other health disorder. If you talk to your doctor because your eyes get bloodshot more often than you think they should, your doctor will probably ask if you have any of these other symptoms.

• eye pain
• vision problems
• dry, itchy eyes or swollen eyes.
• eye twitching
• headaches or neck pain
• stomach pain or stomach bloating
• coughing and sniffles
• mucus or discharges around the eyes
• swollen hands and feet

Bloodshot eyes are not usually a serious eye problem or threat to eye health or vision. But if bloodshot eyes last for more than a few hours or a few days, it's important not to take them lightly.

When you see someone with bloodshot eyes, you tend to think it's because they haven't gotten enough sleep, or they've been over-indulging alcohol. Or it might be a combination of both. Such is not always the case. While fatigue and alcohol are among the most common causes of bloodshot eyes, there are a multitude of others, so don't be too quick to judge.

To see a list of bloodshot eyes remedies, click on curing bloodshot eyes.