Red veins in the eyes, also known as bloodshot eyes, occur when the blood vessels on the surface of the white portion of the eye (sclera) become swollen. There are many possible causes of bloodshot eyes, including:
- Eye dryness
- Too much sun exposure
- Dust or other particles in the eye
- Allergies
- Infection
- Injury
- Blepharitis: Swelling along the edge of the eyelid
- Conjunctivitis: Swelling or infection of the clear tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva)
- Corneal ulcers: Sores on the cornea most often caused by a serious bacterial or viral infection
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The cause is most often not known. It may be related to an autoimmune disorder, infection, or exposure to toxins. The type of uveitis that causes the worst red eye is called iritis, in which only the iris is inflamed
- Colds or allergies
- Broken blood vessels: This happens when tiny blood vessels break beneath the surface of your eye. The blood is trapped and makes the white of your eye turn bright red. It can be caused by a strong sneeze, heavy lifting, hard vomiting, or rubbing your eye a little too hard. You may be more likely to have broken blood vessels if you take blood-thinning medication, even a baby aspirin.
If you have red veins in your eyes, it is important to determine the underlying cause in order to receive appropriate treatment. Some causes of bloodshot eyes may require medical attention, while others may be treated with over-the-counter remedies or self-care measures.
