Why Are My Eyes Always Red? Common Causes and Real Solutions

Why Are My Eyes Always Red? Common Causes and Real Solutions

Red eyes can be frustrating, embarrassing, and sometimes even alarming. But if your eyes are frequently red—especially at the end of the day or after screen time—you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common concerns Dr. Vaugn Schneider hears from patients at Eyes on the Lake in Milwaukee.

In most cases, red eyes are a sign that your eyes are irritated. And the #1 cause of that irritation? Dry eye disease.

What Causes Red Eyes?

There are several reasons your eyes may appear bloodshot or inflamed:

• Dry Eye Disease: When your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears, the surface of your eye becomes dry and irritated, leading to redness.

• Screen Time: Staring at computers or phones reduces blink rate, allowing the tear film to evaporate too quickly.

• Environment: Air conditioning, windy weather, and heaters can dry out the eyes.

• Overuse of Eye Drops: Some “get the red out” drops contain vasoconstrictors that can worsen redness over time.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): This condition affects the oil-producing glands in your eyelids and disrupts the tear film.

Redness + Other Symptoms = Dry Eye

Redness rarely comes alone. If you’re also noticing burning, watering, tiredness, or blurry vision that improves after blinking, it’s time to investigate dry eye disease as the root cause.

What Can I Do About It?

1. Hydrate Your Eyes Switch to preservative-free artificial tears that nourish and support the tear film. Avoid drops that claim to “whiten” your eyes—they often make the problem worse.

2. Take Screen Breaks Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reset your blink rate.

3. Address the Cause At Eyes on the Lake, we assess the entire ocular surface and the function of your meibomian glands. We use advanced tools to detect underlying causes like MGD and inflammation.

4. Consider Advanced Treatments Dr. Schneider offers Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy to treat the inflammation and vascular changes that contribute to red, irritated eyes.

Red Eyes Aren’t Just Cosmetic—They’re a Sign of Something Bigger

Chronic red eyes often mean your eyes are calling for help. With the right treatment and lifestyle adjustments, you can have comfortable, healthy eyes again.

Ready to get to the bottom of your red eyes?

 Click below to schedule your Dry Eye Evaluation with Dr. Vaugn Schneider today.

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