Eye redness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
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Allergies: Allergies can affect the eyes, leading them to become red and swollen. Other symptoms that you may experience include itching, burning, and increased tearing, as well as non-eye symptoms. Common allergy triggers include pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander.
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Eye dryness: When your eyes are dry, the blood vessels at the surface of the white portion of the eye (sclera) can become swollen, causing redness. Eye dryness can be caused by decreased production of tears, too much sun exposure, dust or other particles in the eye, and allergies.
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Infection or inflammation: Eye infections or inflammation can cause redness as well as possible itching, discharge, pain, or vision problems. These may be due to 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), corneal ulcers (sores on the cornea most often caused by a serious bacterial or viral infection), or uveitis (inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid) .
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Injury: Sustaining an injury that affects your eye may cause it to become red, often due to irritation or bleeding. Common sources of eye injuries include foreign objects that get into your eye, physical trauma such as sustaining a blow or an accident, and exposure to chemicals.
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Other causes: Other causes of eye redness include things in the world around you, such as chlorine from swimming pools, dust, cigarette smoke, and perfume. Eye conditions like glaucoma, subconjunctival hemorrhage (when a blood vessel within your eye breaks and leaks blood onto the surface of your eye), and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) can also cause redness.
While many cases of eye redness are relatively harmless and usually improve with home remedies or over-the-counter treatments, if your eye or eyes remain red for longer than one week, or if you have pain or vision problems, make an appointment with an eye care provider, perhaps with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or an optometrist. In some cases, a red eye can be serious if it’s a symptom of another disease.
