Eyes, bloodshot
Alternative names:
bloodshot eyes; conjunctival injection; red eye(s); scleral injection
Definition:
Dilated blood vessels or a nonuniform redness of the surface of the eye.
Considerations:
Bloodshot eyes appear red because the vessels in the surface of the white portion of the eye (sclera) become enlarged. This may result from mechanical irritation, environmental factors such as extremely dry air, sunburned sclera, allergic reactions, infection, and other medical conditions.
A bright red, uniformly dense bloody area on the sclera results from a small amount of bleeding into the sclera. It is often first noted in the morning on arising. This is a fairly common occurrence and of little significance. If upon awakening in the morning, you notice a bloody blotch in one eye that doesn't hurt but just looks bad, don't worry. It is usually due to eyestrain or fatigue, and it generally clears up on its own after a few days.
Common causes:
Note: There may be other causes of bloodshot eyes. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as exact location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for bloodshot eyes, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.
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