You wake up in the morning ready to start your day, only to discover that your eyes are bloodshot. That might not be surprising if you stayed up late to finish a project, had too many drinks at a party or spent time in a smoke-filled room. But bloodshot eyes can also signal an underlying eye problem.

Why Do I Have Bloodshot Eyes?

When blood rushes to the front of the eye, the tiny red blood vessels on the white of the eye dilate and become visible. Bloodshot eyes tend to be caused by: dry eyes, irritants such as smoke, pollen and perfume, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and spending too much time in front of the computer.

Conjunctivitis

You've probably heard of "pink eye." It's another name for infectious conjunctivitis – an infection of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the eyelid and the front surface of the eye. If you or your child are experiencing reddish eyes, swollen eyelids, eye discharge, crusty eyelids and excessive tearing, it's important to schedule a prompt appointment with an eye doctor.

Dry Eye Syndrome

If your eyes are chronically bloodshot you may have dry eye syndrome (DES). Signs of DES include dry, irritated eyes, burning or stinging eyes, discharge from the eyes, light sensitivity, a feeling you have something stuck in your eyes, blurred vision, and watery eyes.

Uveitis

In addition to bloodshot eyes, if you also experience blurred vision, see floaters or your eyes feel painful, you may have an eye inflammation called uveitis. Left untreated, uveitis can lead to serious conditions such as retinal scarring, cataracts and vision loss.

Eye Injury

It's vital that all eye injuries receive immediate eye care from an eye doctor. Even a minor eye injury can cause a big red blotch to form on the white part of the eye (sclera). Any time you notice excessive blood on the eye following an eye injury, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to assess the health of your eye.

Glaucoma

In rare cases, bloodshot eyes may signal the presence of glaucoma – a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. This disease causes damage to the optic nerve due to excessive pressure within the eye.

Bloodshot Eyes Won't Go Away?

Any time you notice bloodshot eyes or blood on the front of the eye, don't wait. Schedule your eye exam with EyeCare Professionals of Powell in Powell today.