Seeing Red? We aren't talking about Love!

February is here, and Valentine's Day is around the corner! We see red hearts everywhere as a sign for the holiday, but let's talk about what red eyes are a sign for. There are several conditions that can cause this very common finding. Depending on the symptoms you're experiencing, and the amount/severity of inflammatory signs in the eye, a doctor can diagnose the cause for your red eye.

- by ANISA PATAIL, O.D.

Most commonly, red eyes are caused by a condition called conjunctivitis. There are 3 main types of conjunctivitis: bacterial, allergic, and viral. Each of these can lead to irritation in the eyes including itching, burning, and discharge. The type of discharge experienced is key to determining the type of conjunctivitis: white/yellow vs thick/clear vs stringy/clear. Not all conjunctivitis is treated the same either. Most of the time, an antibiotic or steroid/antibiotic combination drop may be required. Sometimes, no drop is needed and the conjunctivitis will resolve on its own within a few weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis can be cleared with over-the-counter medications, although prescription drops may be required for severe cases.