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What Causes Eye Redness and Pain?

Gina Walters
Published

LAST UPDATED:

eye redness and pain

Eye health, redness, and pain can be symptoms of an eye condition that requires immediate attention. 

Whether it’s short-term pain or a problem that won’t disappear, knowing what could be causing it and how to treat it is important for keeping your eyes healthy. 

In this article, we’ll look at the most common causes of eye redness and pain in the eyes as well as useful ways to ease these problems.

Causes of eye pain and redness

Experiencing pain and red eyes can be symptoms of other ocular health issues. 

These symptoms could be caused by Dry Eye syndrome, allergies, foreign objects, or Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis). 

Understanding the possible causes of eye pain and redness is important to ensure the treatment goes well.

Let us take a better look at all these factors closely.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is a common reason for red and painful eyes.

Pink Eye is often caused by viruses, germs, allergies, or irritants and can spread easily. 

Redness, burning, and a feeling of something gritty present inside your eye are some common symptoms of Pink Eye. 

To stop Pink Eye from spreading and ease the pain, it’s important to practice good cleanliness and consult a doctor immediately.

Want to know more about the contagiousness of Pink Eye? Read our article: Is Pink Eye Contagious? How to prevent the infection?

Suggestion:
Keep yourself hydrated to avoid any chance of developing Dry Eyes which is a major symptom of Pink Eye.

Dry Eye syndrome

dry eyeSource: Pixeloit
Man suffering from dry eye

When your eyes don’t have enough moisture or tears, you get Dry eyes, which makes them red and painful. 

Dry Eyes can be caused by too much time spent in front of a screen, environmental irritants, or some medications. 

Managing Dry Eye can be done with the help of artificial tears, changes to your lifestyle, and, in the worst cases, prescription medicine.

Learn more about the various symptoms of Dry Eyes with the help of our article: Recognizing and Managing Dry Eye Symptoms in Depth

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Feeling itchy in your eye? Try Restasis to treat your Dry Eye symptoms and keep your sight healthy

Allergies

Eye redness and pain can be caused by allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander, or other things in the surroundings. 

Antihistamine eye drops and limiting exposure to allergens can help stop and ease allergic responses.

Foreign objects

When dust, sand, or other small objects get into the eye, they can make it red and painful. 

Small foreign objects can be flushed out by blinking, tearing, or eye drops. 

But if the pain lasts for a long time, you need to see a doctor immediately to keep the eye from getting hurt.

Eye drops for pain and redness.

Use artificial tears eyedropSource: Denisfilm_From_Getty_Images
Use artificial tears eye drop

Eye drops can be very helpful for people with redness and eye pain.

Depending on the cause of your redness and pain in the eye, you are prescribed eye drops with or without a prescription.

Artificial tears: Artificial tears or eye drops that lubricate the eyes can help treat dry eyes quickly by reducing the redness and pain. Choose the no-preservatives containing eye drops, and don’t overdo them.

Antihistamine eye drops: Antihistamine eye drops help treat allergies that cause redness and eye itching. If you have an allergic reaction in your eyes, these drops can help relieve your symptoms quickly.

Decongestant eye drops: Decongestant eye drops help make your eyes less red by narrowing the blood vessels in the eyes. If you use these drops for a long time, you might experience “rebound redness,” meaning your eyes might get red red after the drops wear off.

Prescription eye drops: Prescription eye drops help with eye pain and redness by targeting specific causes, such as infections or inflammation. Talking to an eye doctor will ensure you get specialized and effective care.

Warning:
Do not take these eye drops without consulting a doctor because they might have some side effects or interact with other medicines that you might be taking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the causes of eye redness and pain is important for maintaining proper eye health.

Finding the reason is important for effective treatment, whether it’s Conjunctivitis, Dry Eye syndrome, allergies, or foreign objects in the eye.

Artificial tears, antihistamines, decongestants, and prescription eye drops are just some of the eye drops that can help ease eye pain.

However, it’s important to use them properly and consult a doctor for the right dosage.

By prioritizing eye care and choosing the right treatment, you can save yourself from any discomfort associated with eye redness and pain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes redness and pain in the eye?

Eye redness and pain can result from conditions like Conjunctivitis, Dry Eye, allergies, or foreign objects.

Why is my eye red and hurt when I blink?

Pain during blinking often occurs in the corner of the eye, mostly due to some foreign object, a scratch, or an injury. It could also be linked to a tear duct infection or an eyelid inflammation known as angular blepharitis.

How do you get rid of eye redness and pain?

Eye drops, such as artificial tears, antihistamines, and prescription medications, target specific causes and can help ease eye redness and pain effectively.

Can eye pain go away on its own?

Most of the time, eye pain goes away with minimal or no required treatment. Eye pain and its root causes rarely result in long-lasting damage to the eye.

How do you get rid of eye pain and redness naturally?

A commonly used home remedy for various eye problems is a warm compress. It’s proven effective in soothing sore eyes by enhancing blood flow. Which, in turn, reduces inflammation and provides relief.

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