Red Eyes

[aegis]

For several years, my eyes have always been red. I do wear contact lenses, but it does not seem to effect the level of redness in my eyes. I have gone weeks without wearing them in the past, and they are still red.

The only time they feel very irritated is when I wake up in the morning. They're so dry, it feels like they are glued shut and I have to put drops in. Clear Eyes gets rid of the redness, but it's only temporary. It wears off after about 30 minutes.

I don't have any swelling of the eyelids, and an optometrist has told me that my eyes are perfectly healthy. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be and how to fix it? I do have extremely high blood pressure. Could that be a factor?

Any help would be appreciated.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you like that Eye MD call her office or go back in to see her and talk about a 3-4 month trial of Restasis. If you don't have confidence find another Eye MD, you can locate one near you at www.aao.org

JCH III MD

[suneet]

I have seen my opthamologist and she just put it down to Dry eye for which she just said to continue with tear drops.  I really want the bloodshotness to decrease, I have lost confidence talking to people face to face and dont look anyone in the eye anymore.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If the underlying problem is dry eyes and it persists with artifical tears, gels and ointments then you should see an Eye MD for a proper exam, diagnosis and treatment which may include a trial of Restasis.

JCH III MD

[suneet]

I need help.  My eyes have become extremely bloodshot over the past 3 months or so.  I do have dry eyes, so I diligently use preservative free eye drops and sunglasses but the situation is not improving, they seem to be getting worse.  I do work infront of a computer I am also conscious of making myself blink more and take frequent breaks.  What can I do to remove the bloodshotness?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Then leave them out to eliminate one variable and see and eye MD, be sure you are given a Schirmer test for dry eyes.

JCH III MD

[aegis]

I understand, but as I mentioned I have gone several weeks without wearing them (nearly 3 months) and the problem still existed.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your eyes are not perfectly healthy or the wouldn't be red. 99% certain its your contacts causing it with perhaps an underlying dry eye. See an Eye MD ophthalmologist for a diagnosis. Red eyes in a person wearing contacts is 99% of the time due to the contacts in one way or another.

High blood pressure can damage the back of the eye (hypertensive retinopathy) but not cause redness.

JCH III MD