Definition
Red eye is a common problem that can affect one or both eyes. The redness associated with red eye comes from blood vessels on the surface of your eye that are expanded (dilated) due to some form of irritation or infection.
Causes
- Allergies
- Blepharitis (inflammation that affects your eyelids)
- Chalazion
- Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid
- Corneal herpetic infections (herpes)
- Corneal ulcer
- Dry eyes (decreased production of tears)
- Ectropion (outwardly turned eyelid)
- Entropion (inwardly turned eyelid)
- Episcleritis (inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye)
- Eyedrops
- Foreign object in the eye: First aid
- Glaucoma (group of conditions that damage the optic nerve)
- Hay fever
- Injury, such as from a blunt trauma or burn
- Iritis (inflammation of the colored part of the eye)
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
- Orbital cellulitis (severe infection of tissues around the eye)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Scleritis (inflammation of the white part of the eye)
- Sty (a red, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid)
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye)(broken blood vessel in eye)
- Uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye)
