both eyes red/pink when waking up

[daniel22]

what causes both eyes to be slightly red/pink when waking up?

On two separate occasions I was told it was dry eyes by doctors. It started after getting a migraine that gave my eyes a beating, also during this time my exophoria manifested.

I am hoping to narrow down the possibilities because I have spent a decent amount of money and have not been able to get the proper answer to solve the problem. The red eyes has lasted for a month or so, my eyes are white through out the day but red/pink when I wake up.

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

Use the search feature, archives or go to my eye blog to read about RX of dry eyes.

You may need in a week or so see if you can switch to Genteal gel at bedtime, not quite as messy. Use high quality tear on awakening and several time throughout the day (Blink, Systane, Soothe XP, Refresh, etc). Try enteric coated fish oil two per day. Start with one with evening meal for two weeks then add second one with breakfast. Note enteric coated.

If after 6-8 weeks you are still using tons of drops see an ophthalmologist aabout going on ReStasis.

JCH MD

[daniel22]

Thank you!!!! Yes I used to wear contact lenses until this happened. The ointment is working amazingly, the only problem is that without it my eyes dry quite quickly. How long should I wait if the condition does not fully resolve before I go back to a doctor to get it checked again?  

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

If you wear contacts, that's the #1 cause. If you are female older than 40 tears dysfunction syndrome (AKA dry eye syndrome is #1 cause).  If younger female or male blepharitis #1 cause.  You could also have exposure keratitis. Try Refresh-PM ointment in both eyes at bedtime and be sure you do not sleep with a fan or draft blowing over you.

JCH MD