What causes red eyes?
December 30, 2022 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Ammelie Niemeyer
Dear Online Consultation Team,
My name is Ella Köhler and I am reaching out to you because I have been experiencing red eyes for some time now and I am starting to worry. The red eyes occur mainly in the evenings and are accompanied by a slight itching and a feeling of dryness. I work a lot on the computer and therefore spend many hours a day in front of the screen. I also wear contact lenses and have already tried various eye care products to moisturize my eyes.
In the past few weeks, I have also noticed an increase in headaches and a slight burning sensation in my eyes. I am not sure if these symptoms are related to my red eyes or if they are separate issues. I have tried to regularly moisturize my eyes with eye drops and take breaks during computer work, but the red eyes do not disappear permanently.
Could my red eyes be caused by long hours of screen work or my contact lenses? Are there possible causes I should be aware of? What measures can I take to relieve and improve my red eyes in the long term? I am worried that my eyes could be permanently damaged and would like to know the best course of action to protect my eyes.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Ella Köhler
Dear Ella Köhler,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an ophthalmologist. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from red eyes and are concerned about your eye health. Red eyes can have various causes, which can be related to both your work on the computer and wearing contact lenses.
Working on the computer for extended periods of time can lead to what is known as Computer Vision Syndrome, characterized by symptoms such as red eyes, dryness, itching, headaches, and burning eyes. This is partly because we blink less while working on the screen, which can lead to decreased eye moisture. Additionally, computer screens emit blue light, which can further strain the eyes.
Wearing contact lenses can also cause red eyes, especially if the lenses are not properly maintained or if they do not fit correctly. Contact lenses can impair oxygen supply to the eyes and cause irritation.
To relieve and improve your red eyes in the long term, I recommend the following measures:
1. Take regular breaks during computer work: Take a short break every 20 minutes and look into the distance to rest your eyes.
2. Regularly moisturize your eyes with special preservative-free eye drops.
3. Ensure good lighting at your workplace and position the screen correctly to avoid glare.
4. Only wear your contact lenses for the recommended duration and maintain them regularly following your ophthalmologist's instructions.
5. Avoid wearing your contact lenses overnight and do not wear them longer than recommended.
If your symptoms do not improve or worsen despite these measures, I recommend scheduling an appointment with an ophthalmologist in your area. An ophthalmologist can conduct a more thorough examination of your eyes and provide you with more targeted treatment recommendations.
I hope these tips help you improve your red eyes and protect your eye health. If you have any further questions or need additional support, I am here to help.
Best regards,
Ammelie Niemeyer
