Waking up and having red eyes is more common than we think, but… why does it happen? Is it serious? Each case is different, but in most cases, the redness is accompanied by discomfort and itching, and we must know how to act in these cases.
Why do red eyes occur?
Red eyes or eye congestion is due to an inflammation of the sclera, the membrane that covers the eyes and is made up of small blood vessels. When the blood vessels become inflamed, enlarged and irritated, the blood moves and causes the eye to appear redder.
The vessels become inflamed for a variety of reasons, many times they can be irritated by an external body such as dust, sand, or internal such as a cold. In these cases, the redness usually lasts for a few days but eventually disappears. When the redness persists, it is advisable to visit an ophthalmologist to diagnose if there is any pathology:
- Conjunctivitis: inflammation can have a viral or bacterial origin, although sometimes it can happen due to an irritant agent such as chlorine or because of an allergy.
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage: it is an accumulation of blood in the conjunctiva caused by the rupture of blood vessels. It is caused by a blow or a strong effort. It is usually reabsorbed on its own. – Blepharitis: it is an inflammation of the eyelid tissue due to the obstruction of the sebaceous glands.
- Dry eye: it is caused by a lack of lubrication on the surface of the eye, which prevents the protective mechanism from working properly. This causes discomfort and irritation to those who suffer from it.
- Eye fatigue: it is caused by overexertion due to the continuous and restless use of mobile screens or lack of sleep. It may also be related to contact lens wear, poor hygiene or wearing contact lenses too long.