Medical Health Encyclopedia

Eye redness

Other potential causes include:

• Cold or allergies.
• Foreign objects in the eye that cut or damage the eye. (See eye emergencies.)
• Acute glaucoma -- a sudden increase in eye pressure that is extremely painful and causes serious visual disturbances. This is a medical emergency. Most times, glaucoma is chronic and gradual.
• Corneal scratches caused by sand, dust, or overuse of contacts.
• Bleeding problems (for example, from excess use of blood thinning drugs).

References:

Greenberg MF. The red eye in childhood. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2003; 50(1): 105-124.

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Pasternak A, Irish B. Ophthalmologic infections in primary care. Clin Fam Pract. 2004; 6(1): 19.

Rodriguez JO. Prevention and treatment of common eye injuries in sports. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 67(7): 1481-1488.

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