What Causes Blood Shot Eyes?

Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2014

Question: My wife has blood shot eyes...have been for the last 3 days. she went to urgent care and they gave her some eye drops. At first, the thought was that it might be "pink eye." But since then, that has cleared up but the redness continues.

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to health care magic.

I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.

I reviewed your history. It seems from the history that your wife is having redness of eye probably following connjunctivitis/ pink eye.
The treatment given in the form of Gentamycin, antibiotic eye drops is correct and she needs to continue it for another 2-3 days. Sometimes pink eye is associated with sub conjunctiva hemorrhage and this presents as blood shot eyes. It will resolve on its own slowly by 1-2 weeks.
Hence if this is the case no need to worry.
Hence if possible do send a photo of the affected eye so that I can confirm the diagnosis and answer your question more accurately.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (2 days later)

THANK YOU DR. DADAPEER. I AM NOTICING THAT HER EYES, THOUGH THEY STILL APPEAR TO BE BLOODSHOT, ARE NOT AS RED. THIS COMING SATURDAY WILL BE TWO WEEKS SINCE SHE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE URGENT CARE. HOPEFULLY BY THEN, SHE WILL HAVE HEALED. IF NOT, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU?
THANKS AGAIN...

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for writing to health care magic.
Please do not close the question and you can communicate with me if there is any problem.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar