Some Causes and Features of Eye Redness
Cause |
Common Features* |
Diagnosis† |
Conjunctival disorders and episcleritis‡ |
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Allergic or seasonal conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva—the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the front of the eye) |
Affecting both eyes An itching or scratching sensation and tearing In people with known allergies or other features of allergies (such as a runny nose that recurs during certain seasons) Sometimes in people who use eye drops (particularly neomycin) |
A doctor's examination |
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Chemical (irritant) conjunctivitis |
An itching or scratching sensation and tearing Exposure to potential irritants (such as dust, smoke, ammonia, or chlorine) |
A doctor's examination |
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Episcleritis (inflammation of the tissue between the sclera—the white of the eye—and the overlying conjunctiva) |
Affecting only one eye A spot of redness on the white of the eye Mild irritation of the eye |
A doctor's examination |
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Infectious conjunctivitis (pinkeye) |
An itching or scratching sensation, tearing, and sensitivity to light Sometimes a discharge from the eye and eyelid swelling Sometimes swollen lymph nodes in front of the ears |
A doctor's examination |
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Subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding under the conjunctiva) |
Affecting only one eye A red patch or large area of redness (that looks like blood or ketchup) No tearing, irritation, itching, change in vision, pain, or discharge from the eye Sometimes in people who have had an eye injury, sneezed violently, or tried to exhale without letting air escape, as may occur during a bowel movement or while lifting a heavy weight (called the Valsalva maneuver) Often in people known to use drugs that help prevent blood from clotting (such as aspirin or warfarin) |
A doctor's examination |
Corneal disorders§ |
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Contact lens keratitis (inflammation of the cornea—the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil) |
Eye ache, redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light In people who have worn their contact lenses for too long |
A doctor's examination |
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Corneal scratch (abrasion) or foreign object (body) |
Symptoms that begin after an eye injury (which may not have been noticed in infants and young children) Pain when blinking and a foreign body sensation |
A doctor's examination |
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Sometimes a grayish patch on the cornea that later becomes an open, painful sore Sometimes in people who have had an eye injury or who slept with their contact lenses in |
A doctor's examination Culture of a sample taken from the ulcer (done by an ophthalmologist) |
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Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (Pink Eye—inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the front of the eye, and the cornea caused by an adenovirus) |
Watery discharge Eyelid swelling, enlarged lymph nodes and bulging of conjunctiva Sometimes temporary loss of vision |
A doctor's examination |
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Herpes simplex keratitis (infection of the cornea caused by the herpes simplex virus) |
Affecting only one eye Early: Blisters on the eyelid and/or crusting Late or recurring: Eye redness and tearing, eye pain, impaired vision, and sensitivity to light |
Usually only a doctor's examination Sometimes testing for the virus in scrapings obtained from the surface of the cornea or from blisters around the eye |
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Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (shingles that affects the face and eye, caused by the varicella-zoster virus) |
Affecting only one eye Early: A rash with fluid-filled blisters and/or crusting on one side of the face, around the eye, on the forehead, and/or on the tip of the nose, and sometimes pain Eye redness, tearing, and eyelid swelling Late: Eye redness, usually sensitivity to light, and usually severe pain |
Usually only a doctor's examination Sometimes testing for the virus in scrapings obtained from blisters around the eye |
Other disorders |
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Severe eye ache and redness Headache, nausea, vomiting, and pain with exposure to light Disturbances in vision such as seeing halos around lights and/or decreased vision |
Measurement of pressure inside the eye (tonometry) and examination of the eye's drainage channels with a special lens (gonioscopy), done by an ophthalmologist |
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Anterior uveitis (inflammation of the anterior chamber—the fluid-filled space between the iris and cornea) |
Eye ache and sensitivity to light Eye redness (particularly around the cornea) Blurring or loss of vision Often in people who have an autoimmune disorder or who recently had an eye injury |
A doctor's examination |
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Scleritis (inflammation of the white of the eye, called the sclera) |
Pain, often described as boring, and severe enough to wake someone from a sound sleep Sensitivity to light Tearing Red or violet patches on the white of the eye Often in people who have an autoimmune disorder |
Usually only a doctor's examination Sometimes, ultrasound or CT Rarely, biopsy |
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* Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. † Although a doctor's examination or an examination by an ophthalmologist is always done, it is only mentioned in this column if the diagnosis can sometimes be made only by the doctor's examination, without any testing. In other words, additional tests may not be needed. ‡ Conjunctival disorders usually cause itching or a scratchy sensation, tearing, widespread eye redness, and often sensitivity to light. They usually do not cause pain or changes in vision. § Corneal disorders usually cause pain (particularly when the eyes are exposed to light), tearing, and sometimes impaired vision. |
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