Red Eye Specialist

What is a red eye?

Red eye is an eye condition that affects the white portion, or sclera, of your eye. The redness occurs due to dilation of the blood vessels in the sclera. 

The degree of redness varies and may appear as a few red squiggly lines or turn the entire sclera of your eye pink or red. 

In addition to a change in eye color, red eye may also cause other symptoms, such as:

• Irritation
• Itching
• Burning
• Pain
• Watery
• Blurry vision

The redness may affect one or both of your eyes. 

What causes red eye?

Red eye is a symptom of an underlying health condition. 

Common causes of red eye include:

• Allergies
• Eye fatigue
• Dry eyes
• Infection
• Computer eye syndrome
• Eye trauma
• Acute glaucoma
• Corneal ulcer

You may also develop red eyes from an environmental irritant, such as air pollution, dust, or smoke.

When should I schedule an eye exam for red eye?

Red eye may develop from any number of causes. You should schedule an eye exam for your red eye if the redness affects your daily life or fails to improve with at-home care.

You should also contact Bainbridge Eye Care to schedule an eye exam if you're experiencing symptoms that indicate a serious eye condition, such as a fever, severe eye pain, or unusual eye drainage. 

What happens during a red eye evaluation?

When you visit Bainbridge Eye Care for an evaluation for your red eye, your provider conducts a comprehensive eye exam to determine the underlying cause of your symptom.

During your evaluation, your provider reviews the details of your red eye, including other symptoms and when they started. They also review your medical history, the types of medications and supplements you take, and your daily habits.

To determine the cause of your red eye, your optometrist at Bainbridge Eye Care runs various tests to assess eye health and screen for eye conditions. 

How is red eye treated?

Your provider at Bainbridge Eye Care develops a personalized treatment plan for your red eye based on the underlying cause. 

Treatment may include medication to improve any underlying eye condition, such as eye drops for dry eyes or an antibiotic for an eye infection. Your optometrist may also recommend eye drops to clear up the redness. 

Your red eye may be a symptom of an eye condition. To schedule a comprehensive eye exam so you get the answers you need, call Bainbridge Eye Care or book an appointment online today.