Why Do the Whites of My Eyes Get Red?

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and noticed your eyes looked to be very bloodshot, you may have wondered what happened. If so, you’re not alone, as many people regularly find the whites of their eyes turning red. As to why this occurs, here are some of the most common reasons.

Eye Strain

In today’s world where you probably spend many hours per day staring at a computer screen or your smartphone, eye strain has become much more common than in years past. If you think this may be the reason for your red eyes, try spending a little less time on your devices, or at least take an occasional break to give your eyes a quick rest.

Dry Eyes

When you have a chronic lack of moisture on the surface of your eyes, you may develop a condition known as dry eyes. When this happens, the result will be constant eye irritation and inflammation, often resulting in your eyes getting red. To help with this problem, you can use either over-the-counter artificial tears or perhaps have special drops prescribed by your eye doctor for dry eyes in Champaign, Illinois.

Chemical Exposure

If you love to go swimming in pools that have chlorine added to the water, the exposure your eyes get to the chlorine itself will often lead to bloodshot eyes. If you can, try wearing goggles when you swim to prevent this from occurring.

Dry Air

Finally, if you live in an area where the air is dry, find yourself flying in airplanes, or work in an office building where the humidity is very low, each of these situations can dry out your eyes and make the whites turn red.

If you are experiencing continuing problems with red eyes, meet with your Champaign, Illinois eye doctor to discuss your problem and get an accurate diagnosis.