Why do bloodshot eyes hurt

Blurry vision. Red or bloodshot eyes are very common and have many causes. Red eye usually is a symptom of other eye conditions that can range from benign to serious. The appearance of red eyes is caused by dilation of tiny blood vessels located between the white surface of your eye and the overlying clear conjunctiva.

These tiny blood vessels many of which normally are invisible can become swollen because of environmental or lifestyle-related reasons or because of specific eye problems. Red eyes are usually caused by allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses, or common eye infections such as pink eye conjunctivitis.

However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as glaucoma. Corneal ulcer. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

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Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Eye pain. Merck Manual Professional Version. Contact lenses and lens solution may also trigger a reaction. In addition, if a person wears contact lenses for too long, conjunctivitis can arise due to irritation.

If a doctor suspects an allergy, they may carry out an allergy test to determine the trigger. However, the most common cause is a seasonal allergen, such as pollen. A person who knows that they have an allergy or sensitivity reaction to pollen or other allergens should take care to avoid exposure, where possible.

A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea that can result from a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection. Scratches, burns, dry eye syndrome, and conditions that affect eyelid function can also increase the risk. This damage may allow pathogens to penetrate the eye. Without appropriate treatment, corneal ulcers can lead to vision loss, so this is a medical emergency.

Treatment options include antibiotics and antifungal agents. Serious cases may require a cornea transplant. A person whose body does not produce adequate tears to lubricate and nourish the eyes may develop dry eye syndrome. Hormonal changes, some medical conditions, and some medications can cause dry eye syndrome. Chronic dry eye can cause the surface of the eye to become red, inflamed, and irritated. A doctor can determine if dry eyes are due to an underlying medical condition.

An ophthalmologist can perform tests to measure tear production, if necessary. For mild cases, over-the-counter medications — such as artificial tears, gels, or ointments — may be helpful. Other options include prescription eye drops and surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. Some lifestyle tips for preventing dry eye syndrome include:.

Get some more tips on treating dry eye syndrome here. The conjunctiva contains many blood vessels and capillaries. If these vessels break , blood can leak into the area between the conjunctiva and the white of the eye. When this happens, a small amount of blood builds up under the conjunctiva. This small accumulation of blood is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. A subconjunctival hemorrhage can result from a minor injury or trauma to the eye, including rubbing the eye due to allergies.

Common causes also include coughing, sneezing, and straining. People who have diabetes , have high blood pressure , or take certain medications, such as blood thinners, may have a higher risk.

Subconjunctival hemorrhages occur on the surface of the eye. Because they do not affect the cornea or the interior of the eye, they do not impact vision. They are not usually painful, and the only symptoms may be red spots in the white of the eye.

Although redness or blood in the eye can look serious, most subconjunctival hemorrhages are generally harmless and will clear up on their own within a few days.

Usually, no treatment is typically necessary.