Health Tip: Why Are My Eyes Red?

Here are some common causes

July 19, 2010 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- The sclera, or white area of the eye, appears red when blood vessels swell.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine mentions these possible causes of eye redness:

Having a subconjunctival hemorrhage, or burst blood vessel, which could be triggered by straining or coughing.
Having inflammation or infection of the eyelash follicles or membrane that lines the eyelids.
Having an ulcer on the cornea (often caused by an infection).
Having an allergy or the common cold.
Having foreign matter in the eye.
Having an injury to the eye.
Having a bleeding disorder.