Why is my Eye Bloodshot?

A bloodshot eye is caused by enlarged, dilated blood vessels leading to the appearance of redness on the surface. It can also be called, Scleral injection, and Conjunctival injection. There are many possible causes. Some are quite concerning, and may require medical emergencies. Others are of no consequence or concern at all. The degree of redness or appearance of blood usually does not correlate to how serious it is. It is important to have it checked out by a doctor whether you have eye pain, impaired vision or not.

Causes

Itappears red because the vessels on the surface of the white portion get enlarged and irritated. This often results from extremely dry air, sun exposure, dust, foreign body, an allergic reaction, infection, trauma, or any other conditions which does not suit you and your eyes.

Location of occurrence

Infections or inflammation can occur in different locations. They cause redness as well as possible itching, discharge, pain, or vision problems:

1) Blepharitis- Inflammation of the eyelash follicles along the eyelid. It is caused by skin bacteria. Itching is common and your lids may appear greasy or crusty.

2) Conjunctivitis- Inflammation or infection of the membrane that lines the lids and coats the surface (the conjunctiva). This condition is often referred to as "pink eye". It may be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergy, or irritation. If caused by an organism, this is highly contagious.

3) Corneal ulcers- Often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. (The cornea is the outer covering.)

4) Uveitis- Inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This is often related to an autoimmune disorder, infection, or exposure to toxins. Often, only the iris is inflammed, which is called iritis.