There are many causes of sudden eye redness, from what is simple, such as fatigue and dry eyes, to what is more serious, such as infections or high eye pressure.
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What is sudden eye redness?
Sudden redness of the whites of the eyes is a change in the color of the whites of the eyes to become red as a result of dilation or bursting of small blood vessels on the surface of the eye.
It may appear suddenly without warning, and be in one or both eyes.
This symptom should not be neglected, especially if it is accompanied by pain, abnormal secretions, or poor vision.
Learn about: Dry eyes Its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods to maintain healthy eyesight
Causes of sudden eye redness
The causes of sudden redness in the whites of the eyes vary from simple factors that can be dealt with easily, to more serious factors that require consulting a doctor, and the most prominent of these reasons are:
1- Fatigue and lack of sleep
Long stays or physical stress cause dilation of the superficial blood vessels in the eye, resulting in redness.
2- Dry eyes
It occurs as a result of decreased tear production or prolonged staring at screens, which makes the eyes irritated and red.
3- Ocular allergies
Exposure to irritants such as smoke, dust, strong perfumes, or chemicals that irritate the conjunctiva are causes of sudden eye redness.
In addition to seasonal allergies such as hay fever (spring allergy), pollen and environmental factors cause eye redness, tears, and strong itching in the eyes.
4- Bacterial or viral eye infections:
The most common causes of sudden eye redness are:
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Conjunctivitis:
Known as pink eye, it appears due to a viral, bacterial infection, or allergy.
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Keratitis:
It results from infection or prolonged wearing of contact lenses, causing severe pain and sensitivity to light.
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Blepharitis:
It occurs due to blockage of the small sebaceous glands in the eyelid, leading to eye redness, itching, and oily secretions on the eyelashes.
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Uveitis:
Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that causes eye redness, pain, and blurred vision, and is often associated with immune diseases or chronic infections.
5- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
The result of a small blood vessel rupture leads to the appearance of a clear red blood spot on the white of the eye, usually painless and goes away spontaneously.
6- Direct injuries
Such as the entry of a foreign body, a scratch on the cornea, or a strong blow, and these cause redness with tears and obvious pain.
7- Acute Glaucoma
A sudden increase in eye pressure causes severe pain, headache, nausea, and blurred vision.
8- Corneal ulcer
A deep corneal wound or infection that causes redness and severe pain, and if left untreated, may cause vision loss.
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Other causes of sudden eye redness
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Hormonal problems:
Pregnancy may cause fluid retention and dry eyes.
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الأدوية:
Use some eye drops, such as drops to treat glaucoma (they lead to redness due to vasodilation).
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Immune or systemic diseases
Some autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation of the blood vessels and have eye redness as one of their symptoms.
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Environmental and lifestyle factors
Prolonged exposure to screens causes visual stress that leads to dry and congested eyes.
In addition, the dry climate and sandstorms increase eye dryness and congestion, especially in our Arab region.
When should you visit a doctor?
Not all eye redness is minor or fleeting;
It is important for the reader to know the signs that require seeing an ophthalmologist without delay, because they may make the difference between quick treatment or complications that may threaten the safety of sight.
The most prominent cases that require a visit to the doctor are:
- Redness persists for a long time: If the redness remains for more than two or three days without improvement, this requires examination.
- Severe or persistent pain: Severe eye pain may be a sign of deep inflammation or injury to the cornea.
- Blurred or weak vision: Loss of clarity of vision or sudden blurring are serious signs.
- Strong sensitivity to light: If the eye no longer tolerates natural lighting, this may indicate inflammation of the cornea or iris.
- Abnormal secretions: especially if they are yellow, green, or thick, as they may indicate the presence of a bacterial infection.
- Swelling in the eyelids or around the eyes: Swelling may indicate inflammation or blockage of the tear ducts.
- In case of difficulty opening or closing the eye.
- After exposure to injury, chemicals, or entering a foreign body.
- In the case of chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Learn about: Lazy eye Its causes, symptoms, and effective treatment methods
Types of infections that cause sudden eye redness
Inflammations may affect more than one part of the eye, and each type has its own symptoms and complications.
1- Conjunctivitis
One of the most common causes of sudden eye redness occurs as a result of a viral or bacterial infection, or due to allergies.
It is often accompanied by discharge, copious tears, and itchy eyes.
2- Keratitis
Inflammation of the transparent layer covering the eye (cornea).
It causes severe redness, severe pain, and great sensitivity to light.
3- Uveitis/Iritis
Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea or iris).
It causes severe pain, blurry vision, and light circles when looking at light.
4- Blepharitis
Inflammation of the edges of the eyelids due to blockage of the sebaceous glands or infection.
5- Scleritis
Inflammation of the tough white layer surrounding the eye (sclera), which is one of the causes of sudden eye redness.
It is characterized by deep redness with severe pain that may extend to the head and jaw.
6- Inflammation of the lacrimal gland or lacrimal sac (Dacryoadenitis/Dacryocystitis)
It occurs as a result of a blockage or infection in the tear gland or ducts.
Frequently asked questions
Does staying up late cause eye redness?
Yes, staying up late is one of the causes of sudden eye redness.
When is eye redness dangerous?
Eye redness is dangerous if it is accompanied by:
- Severe or sudden pain.
- Confusion or loss of vision.
- Thick, yellow or green discharge.
- Extreme sensitivity to light.
- Obvious swelling or direct injury to the eye.
Does eye redness indicate high blood pressure?
Eye redness may sometimes indicate high eye pressure (acute glaucoma), especially if it is accompanied by severe pain and blurred vision, but it is not a sure sign of general high blood pressure in the body.
In conclusion, it can be said that the causes of sudden eye redness vary from simple and transient, such as staying up late or dehydration, to serious ones that may threaten the safety of sight if not treated quickly.
