Redness around the eyes is common and can signal various underlying issues. While often temporary, persistent or severe redness may indicate a more significant condition requiring attention. Understanding potential causes, from external factors to medical conditions, helps determine when professional evaluation is warranted.
External Irritants and Allergic Reactions
Redness around the eyes often stems from external factors or the body’s immune response. Environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander frequently trigger allergic conjunctivitis. This leads to symptoms such as itching, watery eyes, and visible redness from dilated blood vessels.
Contact dermatitis is another common cause, appearing as a reaction to substances touching the delicate skin around the eyes. These can include cosmetics, skincare products, or soaps. Symptoms typically involve a red, scaly rash, itching, stinging, and sometimes eyelid swelling. Physical irritation also contributes to redness, such as from excessive eye rubbing, foreign objects like dust or sand, or prolonged exposure to irritants like smoke or chlorine.
Common Eye Conditions
Beyond external irritants, several medical conditions frequently cause redness around the eyes. Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelid. This inflammation makes blood vessels more prominent, leading to the characteristic red or pink appearance.
Conjunctivitis can be viral, bacterial, or allergic. Viral forms often present with watery discharge and swollen eyelids, while bacterial conjunctivitis typically involves a yellow or green sticky discharge and eyelid crusting. Allergic conjunctivitis is marked by intense itching and watery or stringy mucus. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, often affecting both eyes and causing redness, flakiness, and irritation along the lash line.
Dry Eye Syndrome results from insufficient tear production or poor tear quality, leading to inadequate eye lubrication. This condition can cause irritation, a gritty sensation, burning, and redness. Tears may evaporate too quickly or not spread evenly, disrupting the tear film. Styes and chalazia are common eyelid bumps that also cause localized redness and swelling.
A stye is a painful, red lump caused by a bacterial infection in an eyelash follicle or oil gland, often appearing quickly like a pimple. In contrast, a chalazion is a less painful, more chronic bump resulting from a blocked oil gland in the eyelid. Periorbital dermatitis is a rash around the eyes, presenting as red, bumpy skin. This condition may be linked to topical steroids or certain cosmetic ingredients.
Lifestyle and Environmental Influences
Daily habits and environmental factors contribute to redness around the eyes. Insufficient sleep can lead to tired, red, and bloodshot eyes because blood vessels may dilate due to reduced oxygen and an inflammatory response. Lack of sleep also decreases tear production and quality, leading to dryness and irritation.
Crying can cause temporary redness and puffiness around the eyes. This occurs because lacrimal glands work intensely to produce tears, and fluid can collect in the tissues around the eyes, leading to swelling and dilated blood vessels. Eye strain, often from prolonged screen time or reading, can result in tired, dry, and red eyes. Blinking less frequently during these activities can exacerbate dryness.
Environmental exposures like wind, sun exposure (UV radiation), and very dry air can irritate the eyes. Wind can carry particles that irritate the eye, while dry air and increased evaporation of tears contribute to dryness and redness. Sunlight can also damage the outer layer of the cornea and lead to reduced blinking, further contributing to irritation.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many instances of eye redness are temporary, certain signs suggest the need for professional medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention if redness is accompanied by severe pain, sudden vision changes, or increased sensitivity to light. Unusual or excessive discharge, particularly thick pus or mucus, also warrants a doctor’s visit.
Persistent redness lasting more than a few days, or redness that worsens, should be evaluated. Other warning signs include increasing swelling, a feeling of something stuck in the eye that cannot be easily removed, or if redness occurs with a fever or headache. Prompt diagnosis helps prevent complications and ensures appropriate management.