Eyes, bloodshot

Alternative names:

bloodshot eyes; conjunctival injection; red eye(s); scleral injection

Home care:

For fatigue or eyestrain, try to rest; no treatment is necessary. Otherwise, see your primary health care provider or an ophthalmologist for medical treatment.

If conjunctivitis is suspected or confirmed, avoid touching the infected eye and then rubbing the other eye--this condition is very contagious.

Call your health care provider if:

• bloodshot eyes persists for longer than one or two days.
• there is unexplained eye pain and vision problems.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting eye redness in detail may include:

• location
  • Are both eyes affected?
  • If only one eye, which one?
  • What part of the eye is affected--all of the white part, or just a small location?

• time pattern
  • Did it begin suddenly?
  • Has it ever happened before?
  • Does it persist?

• other
  • Does it get worse after movement of the eyes?
  • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination may include a detailed eye examination.

Intervention:
The eyes may need irrigation with normal saline solution, and any foreign bodies will need to be removed. Eye drops may be prescribed.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to bloodshot eyes to your personal medical record.