What is red eye?
As the name implies, red eye is a condition that causes your eyes to become red or pinkish. An array of lifestyle factors and medical conditions can cause red eye, some serious. Athens Eye Consultants offer emergency appointments with a board-certified ophthalmologist when time is of the essence.
What are the symptoms of red eye?
The main symptom of red eye is redness or pinkness in the whites of your eyes. You might also have eye drainage, visible signs of eye trauma, pain, tenderness, or crusting in your eyes, especially when you wake up.
What are the common causes of red eye?
The common things that can contribute to developing red eye include:
- Pink eye
- Allergies
- Eye inflammation
- Eye infections
- Recent eye surgery
- Complications with contact lenses
- Scratches on your eye
- Dry eye
- Eyelid deformities
- Eyelid cysts
- Herpes infection
- Some eye drops
- Glaucoma
- Foreign object in your eye
- Eye injury
- Sty
- Broken blood vessels
- Dust
- Wind
Other causes of red eye include unprotected sun exposure, colds, coughing, and straining. If the red eye is severe or doesn’t go away within a few days, see the experts at Athens Eye Consultants for an evaluation.
How does my provider diagnose the cause of red eye?
Dr. Gadlin diagnoses red eye after simply looking at your eyes. He also reviews your eye health history, the medicines you’re taking, your lifestyle, and your symptoms. Dr. Gadlin completes a thorough eye exam. He orders eye pressure tests, imaging procedures, and other diagnostic tests to find or rule out glaucoma and other eye diseases.
How is red eye treated?
The red eye treatment that’s best for you will depend on the cause of your red eye. Dr. Gadlin might recommend eye drops, oral medicines, resting your eyes, avoiding contact lenses for a time, and other lifestyle changes. If you have glaucoma, you’ll need eye surgery to treat this common eye disease.
Dr. Gadlin personalizes each red eye treatment based on your needs, lifestyle, and preferences. He changes your treatment plan when needed and follows up with you to ensure that the treatment is working effectively.
To get relief from red eye and find the root cause of this bothersome ailment, call the Athens Eye Consultants office or schedule an eye exam online today.