Does lack of sleep cause bloodshot eyes?
Besides substance abuse, aging and lack of sleep there are many possible causes of red eyes.Dry eyes can become red and irritated. Symptoms are worse when people are concentrating and do not blink frequently (such as while reading, working on the computer, or driving). This is usually best treated with artificial tears. Visine (or anything “to get the red out”) should only be used for a short period of time or else can cause rebound redness. If artificial tears do not work, more intensive treatment such as occluding the tear ducts may be necessary. Other causes of red eyes include: infections (conjunctivits),eye lid irritation (blepharits), intraocular inflammation (Uveitis), acute glaucoma, eye trauma, thyroid eye disease, acne rosacea, allergic symptoms and many other possibilities. Anyone with chronic red eyes should see his or her ophthalmologist to determine the cause.
