Tomatoes In The Eyes All About Red Eyes

April 4, 2020ENT

Have you ever had tomatoes in your eyes? If you have, you would know what we are talking about; if not, allow us to explain. Red eyes, casually referred to as tomato eyes, occur when blood vessels on the surface of the eyes swell up and make the white part of the eyes appear red. Depending on the cause, red eyes could be a one off case or a chronic issue.

External injury, heavy drinking and viewing TV or computer screens for longer periods are some of the causes of temporary redness of the eyes.

Such cases are usually not too serious and you gradually recover with basic care. But, there are other causes which could result in drastic complications along with the redness of eyes.

General or Normal Causes

• Allergy: Allergic reactions often turn eyes red. Pet dander, smoke, pollen, dust and mould are some factors which trigger allergies in the eyes. Along with redness, allergies may also cause itchiness, burning or tears in the eyes.

• Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis occurs when the membrane that lines the inside of our eyelids, and covers the whites of the eyes, suffers from inflammation. Bacterial or viral infection and irritants like chlorine from swimming pool waters can cause conjunctivitis. Besides reddening of eyes, severe itching and discharge from eyes are common symptoms of conjunctivitis. It is fairly common, especially in children, and also very contagious.

• Eye Injuries: Eye injuries range from minor scratches and abrasions to deep puncture wounds and aggressive abrasions. Injury related redness in the eyes results from breakage and bleeding of the blood vessels present in our eyes. This condition is called Subconjunctival Haemorrhage. A minor case of haemorrhage causes only a temporary redness which usually disappears in a week or two. However, more serious injuries should receive immediate medical attention.

• Other factors: Improper use of contact lenses, prolonged exposure to TV or computer and heavy drinking are some other factors which are known to cause red eyes; however, such cases of red eyes are usually not too alarming.

Specific or Serious Causes

• Corneal Ulcers: A corneal ulcer is basically an open sore on the surface of the cornea. What might a cornea be, you may ask. The transparent part of the eye which allows light to enter it is called Cornea. Infection in or injury to the cornea can result in corneal ulcers. You should take a corneal ulcer very seriously because it can lead to partial or full loss of vision if left unattended for too long.

• Glaucoma: In certain situations, fluid tends to collect in the front part of the eyes. This leads to excess pressure on the eye; as a result, the optic nerve suffers damage. Such a condition is called Glaucoma, and normally, its onset is painless. A peculiar form of acute Glaucoma might cause severe pain in the eye, halos in vision and blurred vision. Glaucoma can potentially cause blindness; you should waste no time in seeking medical help if you suffer from the symptoms.

• Dry Eyes: ‘Dry eyes’ is a condition in which your eyes cease to make tears of sufficient consistency; sometimes, production of tears completely stops. Besides redness in the eyes, other symptoms that you might observe are burning in the eyes, blurred vision, inability to cry and heavy eyelids. Dry eyes can directly or indirectly affect your vision; loss of vision is also a possibility.

• Scleritis: Scleritis is a complication which affects the Sclera. Sclera is the outer protective layer of your eyes; in fact, sclera comprises the entire white area of your eye. Scleritis causes severe inflammation and redness of the sclera. We are still uncertain about what causes this disorder; it is generally believed that it is caused by an overreaction of the body’s immune system. If scleritis is not treated in the early stages, it can go on to cause complete vision loss.

Treating Red Eyes

Most of the time, redness of eyes is not such a serious problem. It may occur occasionally for only a temporary period. If there are normal causes behind your red eyes, you can easily treat them with over-the-counter eye drops. Decongestants can also relieve the redness and itchiness. Basic medication can quickly treat conjunctivitis. However, redness might be accompanied by conditions such as:

• Abrupt distortion in vision
• Light sensitivity
• Headaches and pain in the eyes
• Heaviness or swelling in the eyes
• Nausea or fever

In such a case, waste no time in seeking medical help.

Vision is, no doubt, an important gift for us. Precautions taken well in advance can help you maintain and preserve your eyesight for an entire lifetime.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.