Why Do You Have Red Itchy Eyes?
Red, itchy eyes can be a frustrating and an uncomfortable experience, affecting daily life and overall well-being. There are various potential causes, ranging from simple irritants to more serious medical conditions. Understanding these causes can help in effectively addressing and treating the symptoms. In this blog, we delve into the common reasons behind red, itchy eyes, exploring factors such as contact lens usage, allergies, foreign objects, infections, and specific medical conditions.
Additionally, we provide insights on sudden onset and morning occurrences of red eyes, along with recommendations on when to consult a specialist and potential treatments. Regardless of the reason behind your condition, Kodak Lens Vision Centres will be with you every step of the way, helping you understand the causes and manage your symptoms. You can book a consultation with us to get started!
Possible Causes for Red Eyes
According to research, there are five main causes of red eyes. They include:
1. Red Eyes and Contacts
If you have red eyes resembling a red ring (around your iris), this may be because of wearing contact lenses that fit too tightly or are damaged¹.
2. Allergies
Some eye allergies like allergic conjunctivitis could be responsible for your red itchy eyes. This kind of allergy causes an intense urge to rub your eyes.²
3. Foreign Objects (Like Sand, Dirt. etc.)
Your eyes could also be red and itchy due to the presence of foreign substances like sand and dirt.³ The foreign objects including dirt cause a gritty feeling characterized as roughness or scratchiness.⁴
4. Infections
Many viral infections and bacterial infections affecting the eyes are depicted as redness. They include conjunctivitis and cellulitis. These common eye infections also come with other symptoms.⁵
5. Medical Conditions
Conditions such as corneal ulcer, corneal herpetic infection (herpes), and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) are among the common medical conditions that cause red eyes.⁶
What Causes Red Eyes All of a Sudden?
If you experience eye redness that is sudden, it could be as a result of:
- Not blinking enough due to excessive screen time: Failing to blink adequately i.e. when staring at a screen over a prolonged time has been linked to sudden eye redness. Computer vision syndrome or CVS is a common cause of eye redness linked to staring at computer screens excessively (for hours).⁷
- A dry environment: If your eyes are dry because of your environment i.e. a windy area, you are bound to notice some sudden redness.⁸
Why Am I Waking Up with Red Eyes?
If you wake up and notice you have red eyes, the reasons could range from blepharitis (clogged oil glands present in the eyelids) to low levels of tears meant to lubricate the eyes when sleeping. Other causes of red eyes when we wake up include failing to close the eyes completely during sleep (a condition responsible for promoting eye dryness).
Itchy Eyes: What Are the Causes?
There are several causes of itchy eyes, the main ones being:
- Allergic conjunctivitis: This condition is characterized by an intense itching allergic reaction which results in red eyes. Other common symptoms include watery eyes and a stringy mucus watery discharge.⁹
- Eczema: If you have atopic dermatitis (a common type of eczema), the condition can develop on/around your eyelids causing itchy eyelids and/or swollen eyelids.¹⁰
- Blepharitis: Blepharitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the eyelids that can cause irritation, itchiness, and redness.¹¹
- A reaction to medicines: Prescription medicines, over-the-counter treatments as well as herbal supplements can cause eye redness.¹²
When Should You Consult a Specialist?
Symptoms like red itchy eyes and related ones like dry eyes should never be ignored. While the symptoms may begin mildly, consider seeing a specialist if:
- The symptoms are worsening and not getting better
- You have a thick mucous discharge coming from one/both eyes
- Your eyelids keep getting stuck together and/or you can’t keep your eyes open
- Your pupils don’t match in size
- You experience double vision or a halo around lights (as this is a common sign among people developing serious eye disorders like glaucoma and cataracts).
- You feel pain or it hurts when looking at bright lights – extreme sensitivity to light
- Your vision is changing for the worse i.e., you are experiencing blurry vision
- You have irritating symptoms such as a foreign body sensation or dirt in your eyes
- You experience pain and/or your eyes are swollen
If you experience the above, book a consultation with our optometrists at any Kodak Lens Vision Centres. You can also call 647-952-1099 for comprehensive eye exams or other emergency eye services in the Greater Toronto Area.
Treatment
You shouldn’t ignore or tolerate red itchy eyes or related eye conditions and symptoms. Common treatments include:
1. Drops for Eye Irritation: I-DROP PUR
If you have eye irritation, eye drops such as I-DROP PUR can help with mild to moderate irritation linked to dry eyes. These premium eye drops offer quick relief for dry eye symptoms by acting as artificial tears. I-DROP PUR eye drops are contact lens compatible. They are viscoadaptive preservative-free artificial tears.
2. Eye Drops for Itchy Eyes: Thealoz Duo
For those dealing with itchy eyes, Thealoz Duo eye drops can hydrate and protect your eyes. These eye drops are free of preservatives and alleviate dry eye symptoms effectively. The eye drops are made from a natural substance (trehalose) present in many animals and plants that survive perfectly in dry conditions. They also contain other ingredients like hyaluronic acid that offer long-lasting natural lubrication.
3. Our Recommended Best Allergy Eye Drop Medication: Pataday
People with eye allergies or those with symptoms of eye allergies due to indoor allergens from animal dander or plants during pollen season are advised to see eye doctors first (optometrists) to get a prescription for suitable allergy eye drops that will tackle the exact type of ocular allergy you have.
Common and effective allergy eye drops prescribed by optometrists include Pataday. Pataday is available via pharmacies once prescribed by an optometrist. The eye drops are effective for symptoms like itchy eyes linked to seasonal allergies such as allergic conjunctivitis.
Important: You shouldn’t self-prescribe OTC allergy eye drops. See an optometrist first. Allergen avoidance is also recommended for seasonal allergies.
4. Eyedrops for Red Eyes: Lumify
For red eyes, consider Lumify eye drops known to effectively reduce redness and help the eyes regain whiteness and brightness. Lumify eye drops have a very low dosage of OTC brimonidine which helps to relieve redness with little to no risks associated with typical eye drops for dealing with eye redness.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons why you may have red itchy eyes and related symptoms like dry eyes. Whatever the reason, we suggest you book an appointment with an optometrist if the symptoms worsen. Luckily, Kodak Lens Vision Centres have seasoned optometrists who are able to accurately diagnose eye conditions linked to red itchy eyes and prescribe effective eye drops or other treatments.
If the redness comes during allergy season or due to airborne allergens, we have suggested allergy remedies above. The same applies to eye irritation and dry eyes. However, visit an optometrist first before getting eye drops for dealing with eye allergies.
If your red itchy eyes are due to contact lenses, you can get specialty contact lenses that fit you perfectly. You can also get additional treatments at Kodak Lens Vision Centres. Get in touch with us to further explore your eye health!
References
- 2023, Could Contact Lens Cause Redness? AAO.org:
- 2024, Allergic Conjunctivitis.hopkinsmedicine.org:
- 2021, Treating Sand in the Eyes. Healthline.com
- 2020, What Causes Gritty Eyes? Healthline.com
- 2023, Types of Eye Infections. Medicalnewstoday.com
- 2024, Red Eye Causes. Mayoclinic.org:
- 2024, Computer Vision Syndrome. Webmd.com:
- 2024, What to Know About Eye Redness. Healthline.com:
- 2024, Allergic Conjunctivitis, hopkinsmedicine.org:
- 2024, Adults with Eczema. AAD.org:
- 2024, Blepharitis. Mayoclinic.org:
- Can Medication Affect My Sight? Webmd.com: