Claúdio Ferreira Nurse Coordinator LUZ 24 Red eyes is a very common complaint. Its causes are multiple : Irritation, caused for example by a foreign body, contact with chemical substances, dry eyes, among others; Allergies; Infections caused by viruses or bacteria. These causes have in common the inflammatory reaction caused in the conjunctiva – the transparent film that covers the sclera and internally lines the eyelids – with blood vessels dilation; Both eyes or just one eye may be affected. The inflammation of the conjunctiva, or conjunctivitis , is most evident in the white of the eye – the sclera – which turns pink, reddish, or streaked with red. Depending on the severity and cause there may be other symptoms associated with red eyes , for example: Tears; Itching and/or burning; Difficulty opening the eye. Home care Before touching the eyes Wash your hands well with enough soap and water for 60 seconds, without forgetting the spaces between fingers; Next Wash eyes with saline solution or warm water , draining from the inner corner to the outer corner. Wet the eyelids and eyelashes with a gauze pad soaked in cold water or saline solution, using a different gauze pad for each eye and moving from the nose area outwards; Apply gauze pads soaked in cold water or saline solution on closed eyes to relieve discomfort ; Repeat these operations several times a day until the problem resolved. Do not forget You should also wash your hands thoroughly after touching the eyes: Conjunctivitis can be contagious (when it is due to an infection) and hands can be the vehicle. Do not share washcloths with other people at home. Try to rest more in a calm and dimly lit environment. Wear protective sunglasses outdoors , especially on windy or bright light days. What not to do if you have red eyes Scratch the eyes; Smoking or being exposed to smoky environments; Strain the eyes: avoid reading, using your cell phone, watching TV or using other similar devices; Sharing bed linen, towels or clothing with other people as this could be contagious conjunctivitis; Wear makeup until the problem is solved; Wear contact lenses until the problem is solved and those you will put back on should be new (if you wear disposable contact lenses). Always seek medical attention Although more rarely, red eyes can also be associated with other illnesses. Therefore, keep vigilance and seek medical attention when the problem is not resolved with the care implemented after 2-3 days, if you have any doubts and whenever : Red eye results of trauma; There are changes or loss of vision; There are several people affected in the same house or in the same room at school in the case of children; There is eye pain, eye discharge that is not clear or is sticky, headache, nausea or other associated and unexplained symptoms; If you wear use lenses as you are more likely to have corneal trauma. If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
