The eyes are a very sensitive part of your body. Taking care of this part is crucial.
However, in most cases, people are unaware of the situations when an eye needs urgent care. Red eye is one such case.
When a minor redness becomes a major red flag, you will not even notice.
Here are some of the common situations when you need to visit an eye specialist as early as possible. Ignoring these signs can potentially damage your eyesight.
Pain with Redness
If you are having eye pain along with red eyes, then head to eye care immediately. This can mean two things:
- Corneal Ulcers: Open sores on the cornea can cause discomfort and redness in the eyes.
- Glaucoma: This condition increases pressure inside the eye. If you leave it untreated, it can harm your vision for a long time.
Changes in Vision
If your red eyes are accompanied by vision problems such as blurred vision, double vision, or a sudden loss of vision, then that is a red flag.
This can mean two things:
- Optic Neuritis: Sometimes, an inflammation in the optic nerve can lead to vision problems.
- Retinal Detachment: This is not a good sign and requires urgent professional attention.
- If you notice changes in your vision, run to an emergency eye care in Beaumont.
Sensitivity to Light
If you experience more sensitivity to light, remember it is often a signal of an eye problem. This condition is known as photophobia. This can be an indication of:
- Eye Infection: It can mean infectious conditions like conjunctivitis or keratitis.
- Uveitis: This is an inflammation inside the eye. If you are infected with this, then you are in serious danger of losing your eyesight.
- In such situations, you should avoid bright lights.
Swelling or Discharge
If you notice any yellow or green discharge from your eyes, take it as an early sign of infection. If you notice swelling around your eyelids, it can mean:
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Blocked tear ducts can trap bacteria and lead to more redness and swelling of the eyes.
- Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection that can spread very quickly. You will need professional guidance for treating this.
Headache or Nausea
Headache or nausea, along with red eyes, is never a green sign. This can mean either of these:
- Acute Glaucoma: This means a sudden increase in eye pressure, leading to severe eye pain.
- Migraine: Yes, migraine can also affect your eyes and eyesight.
Contact Lens
If you are a regular contact lens wearer and have redness in the eyes, this could mean:
- Keratitis: This is an infection that is caused when you wear the lenses for a prolonged time.
- Hypoxia: Due to improper use of the lens, oxygen is reduced to the cornea.
- In either case, you will need professional guidance and will need to remove the lenses immediately.
Systematic Illness
Sometimes, redness in the eyes is an indication of a bigger health issue. In this, you will need a proper diagnosis for the right treatment.
- Autoimmune Disease: Diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis often attack the eyes and impact the eyesight.
Eye Redness due to Trauma
According to the reports, nearly 20,000 people get eye injuries each year.
Have you recently had one?
This can also cause redness, even if it is a minor injury. Common reasons can be:
- Exposure to Chemicals: Substances like bleach or any other cleaning products are never good for your eyes. So, be cautious with those items.
- Foreign Objects: Objects like dust, sand, or metal fragments can cause serious issues to your eyes.
- If you suspect your eyes have come in contact with either of these, rinse immediately with clean water.
If you notice redness along with any of these signs, do not wait. Run to your nearby eye specialist. Any delay can cost your eyesight.
