5 common reasons why your eyes are always red.

Image via iStock. 

Do you find that most days you’ll look in the mirror at some point as see two very red eyes staring back at you? There are many reasons why you can get red eyes. With hay fever season here, there’s all the more reason to figure out what might be causing them (and how you can combat them).

1. Dry eyes.

“Dry eye”, a condition where the eye does not produce enough tears, can cause eyes to become red.

“Tears, which are actually made up of water, oil and mucus produced naturally by glands in the eyelids, act as a both a barrier and lubricant for your eyes. When you do not produce enough tears, dry eyes are often the result,” Dr Harrison Weisinger, a Specsavers‘ optometrist told The Glow.

“This can happen for a number of factors including ageing, allergies, medications such as hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants, some acne medications and certain contraceptive pills. Dry eyes are also sometimes associated with other medical issues, including damaged tear glands,” Dr Weisinger explains.

Environmental factors such as your air-conditioned home or workplace, or intense periods of looking at a computer can also contribute.

How you can manage dry eyes.

When treating dry, red eyes you need to encourage the eyelid tear glands to lubricate your eyes.

“Using a warm compress – such as face washer soaked with warm water – hold it over closed eyes for a couple of minutes, twice a day. Most people with dry eye will feel improvement simply cleaning the eyelids regularly by lathering baby shampoo on closed eyelids and rinsing with warm water.”

"You might also get relief from using eye drops, ointments or gels to lubricate the eye," Dr Weisinger says.

In more serious cases, you may require stronger prescription eye drops. If you're concerned, discuss your options with your optometrist.

2. Computer screen.

Anyone who spends a significant amount of time in front of a computer screen can suffer from eye strain and red, sore eyes.  This can happen for a number of reasons.

"your eyes have to constantly move, focus and re-focus while you work at a computer screen - and without regular breaks, this can put strain on these important muscles." Dr. Weisinger explains.

How you can treat it.

So to help prevent it, Dr. Weisinger says that as well as taking regular breaks from your screen, try using anti-glare guards, which can help to reduce the reflection and flickering on your screen, as well as regularly cleaning it.

Additionally, you should ensure that your computer screen is positioned comfortably - just a little bit below eye level is best.

3. Allergy eyes.

There are two types of allergic conjunctivitis most people deal with, seasonal and perennial.

"The seasonal variety usually affects people in the spring or autumn seasons and is triggered by the presence of allergens in the air, such as grass and pollen. Perennial allergic conjunctivitis happens all year round and is attributed to exposure to allergens in the household," Dr Weisinger explains.

How you can treat allergy eyes.

One of the most effective ways to treat itchy eyes is to take an oral antihistamine or eye drops with antihistamines. You can also get a prescription for eye drops if the symptoms persist. Speak to your doctor or optometrist for more advice. (Post continues after gallery.)

4. Contact lenses.

"Contact lens wearers may experience irritation if there is a problem with the fit of the contact lens or the material it is produced from, or if dirt or dust gets trapped behind the lens. Contact lens-related eye infections can also cause the eyes to go red, as well as making the eyes watery, red and painful," explains Dr Weisinger.

How you can treat it.

Having a stringent approach to cleansing and care when putting your contacts in is essential. If you are worried that you might have an eye infection, it's essential that you make an appointment to see your optometrist.

5. Whitening eye drops.

Ironically, whitening eye drops can actually cause red eyes.

"Whitening drops work by causing the muscular lining of the fine blood vessels to constrict, so less blood goes through and the eyes lose their redness. However, repeated use of whitening drops over time actually fatigues the muscle layer in the blood vessels. In turn, these blood vessels dilate - often to an even greater extent than they were before using the whitening drops. That’s why it’s not a good idea to use these for more than a few days."

How you can treat it.

It is best you consult your optometrist to find out which type of allergy or lubricating eye drops are best suited to you.

Other factors.

Red eyes can also be caused by a number of more serious reasons including conjunctivitis, acute glaucoma, corneal ulcer, iritis or a scratch on the cornea.  If your eyes become suddenly red or painful, whether you are a contact lens wearer or not, it's important to see a professional.

What are your tips for treating red eyes?