Why do tired eyes get red

Question: Whenever I wake up from a night of sleep or a short nap, my eyes are bloodshot. General Eye Health. Ask an Ophthalmologist. Browse Answers. Medical disclaimer By submitting your question, you agree to be answered by email. Question Required.

Email address Required. Enter a Valid email address. Blinking is one of the fastest reflexes of the body. However, people tend to blink about half as much as normal when working on a computer. Try to reduce redness by blinking more often. You can also replenish moisture in the eye by using artificial tears. Smoking a cigarette releases several harmful chemicals that can irritate the sensitive tissues of the eyes. For example, exposure to formaldehyde, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide can lead to eye inflammation and "bloodshot eyes.

Smoking can also increase the risk of cataracts , cloudiness in the lens of the eye. Many people develop red eyes after spending some time in a pool. Redness occurs when chlorine used in pools causes the eyes to become irritated. As with other causes of red eyes, this leads blood vessels near the surface of the eye become enlarged and dilated.

If you're prone to getting red eyes from swimming, wearing swim goggles in the pool is a good option. If you don't get enough sleep, your eyes may show it. Losing sleep tends to increase blood and fluid around the eyes. This makes them appear puffy and red.

Lack of sleep can also lead to dry eyes. Your eyes need fluid to clean and renew. Unfortunately, when you don't get enough sleep, your eyes don't get the long rest they need for proper fluid circulation.

Drinking alcohol can cause some people to develop eye redness. This is because alcohol can cause vasodilation , which is when your blood vessels widen. Vasodilation can cause the vessels on the white part of the eye to become larger and more visible. Also, alcohol is dehydrating and can cause the eyes to appear red and tired. Bloodshot eyes can result from many things.

Most often, the things that cause dry, red, irritated eyes are minor and can be treated at home. However, other causes of red eyes can be more serious and threaten your vision and overall health. So, it's always best to consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Someone may wake up with red, bloodshot eyes if they have dry eye syndrome or blepharitis. Eyes do not produce tears when someone is sleeping, so someone with either of these conditions could wake up with dry, red eyes due to a lack of lubricating tears.

Over-the-counter artificial tears can help resolve redness in many cases. Taking an antihistamine for seasonal allergies, placing a cool compress over closed eyes, avoiding irritants such as cigarette smoke, using a dehumidifier, and practicing good hygiene with frequent hand washing and clean linens are all practices that help relieve red eyes. It's best to seek medical attention if eye redness or bloodshot eyes are accompanied by certain symptoms, including:.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Javadi MA, Feizi S. Dry eye syndrome. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. Solano D, Czyz CN. Viral conjunctivitis. StatPearls Publishing.

Updated November 18, Putnam CM. Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist's perspective. Clin Optom Auckl. Updated June 3, Brimonidine ophthalmic solution 0. Optom Vis Sci. Analysis of subconjunctival hemorrhage. Pak J Med Sci. Acute angle closure glaucoma - A potential blind spot in critical care. J Intensive Care Soc. Is this a worrisome red eye? Episcleritis in the primary care setting. Allergic conjunctivitis. Community Eye Health.

Pregnancy and the Eye. Turk J Ophthalmol. Blink rate, incomplete blinks and computer vision syndrome. Hazardous compounds in tobacco smoke. American Academy of Ophthalmology. What you should know about swimming and your eyes. The eyelid margin can become inflamed. This condition is known as "blepharitis", which can lead to redness in the eyes. This is usually caused by poor hygiene around the eyes. Commonly called "pink-eye", conjunctivitis an inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye and the inside layer of the eyelid.

There are many different types of conjunctivitis and many different causes. The common cold. This can be a sign of a cold, your eyes become red as the body taxes itself to fight off the infection. Using eye-drops for a long time. Believe it or not, constant eye-drop usage can lead to a condition called "medicamentosa", which is caused when your eyes develop sensitivity to the eye-drops.

Inflammations on the eyelid caused by bacteria, can cause bumps to form on the eyelid that irritate the eyes, otherwise known as a stye. Serious Conditions All of these things are usually minor conditions requiring light medical care at the most. It usually clears up on its own, without treatment.

Blepharitis may be caused by a wide range of irritants, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It may also be caused by several underlying conditions. In addition to red and inflamed eyes upon waking, blepharitis can cause itching, sensitivity to light, and crusts on the upper eyelids. Since these symptoms can signal a serious infection, see your doctor immediately to determine the root cause. Steroidal or lubricating eye drops are often prescribed for the treatment of blepharitis. Antibiotics may also be prescribed.

Conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation that can be bacterial, viral, or allergic. It causes redness, itching, pain, and oozing in one or both eyes. It can also cause your eyelashes to crust over, making it hard to open your eyes in the morning. If you suspect that you have conjunctivitis, see your doctor. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotics.

Viral conjunctivitis is treated with warm compresses and lubricating eye drops. Acute glaucoma can occur upon waking or during the day and is caused by a sudden, rapid increase in eye pressure. Red, dry eyes often result. If red eyes are accompanied by RA symptoms such as joint pain, weakness, unintended weight loss, or flu-like symptoms, see your doctor. For nonemergency causes of red eyes in the morning, multiple at-home treatments can be used to soothe the affected area, including:.

Red eyes upon waking are a common occurrence that can be caused by lifestyle choices, nonemergency conditions, or serious health issues. Most causes of red eyes can be treated at home, but some conditions that present with red eyes require medical attention.