Eye Redness

Q.

Are bloodshot eyes hereditary?

A.

Bloodshot eyes themselves aren’t hereditary—they’re usually a symptom of irritation, infection, or dryness—but you can inherit conditions (like allergies, dry eye, autoimmune disease, or rosacea) that make red eyes more likely. There are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below for common non-hereditary triggers, simple relief steps, and the red‑flag symptoms that mean you should see a doctor.

Q.

How can I fix bloodshot eyes at home?

A.

At-home relief for bloodshot eyes: use lubricating (preservative‑free) artificial tears, apply a cold compress, take 20‑20‑20 screen breaks, remove contacts temporarily, hydrate, sleep enough, and avoid smoke/allergens. There are several factors and important red flags to consider—seek urgent care for pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, thick discharge, injury, or redness beyond 1–2 weeks; see the complete guidance below for details, prevention tips, and the right next steps.

Q.

What pinkeye some effective treatments I can do at home?

A.

Effective at-home treatments include strict hand hygiene and not sharing towels, warm compresses for viral/bacterial cases or cool compresses for allergic cases, lubricating or antihistamine drops (avoid prolonged use of redness‑relief drops), removing contact lenses, and gentle eyelid cleaning; most cases improve within 1–2 weeks, and mild bacterial conjunctivitis often gets better without antibiotics after a short watch‑and‑wait period. There are several factors to consider—pinkeye type, which drops and compresses to use, and red flags like severe pain, vision changes, swelling, fever, or no improvement by 7–10 days—see the complete guidance below to decide your next steps.

Q.

What pinkeye treatments are available over the counter?

A.

Over-the-counter options include artificial tears/lubricants, ketotifen antihistamine/mast‑cell stabilizer drops for allergies, short‑term redness relievers like naphazoline or tetrahydrozoline (limit to 3–4 days), sterile saline eyewash, bedtime lubricating gels/ointments, oral pain relievers, plus warm/cool compresses and gentle eyelid hygiene. There are several factors to consider—antibiotic drops require a prescription and often aren’t necessary, and you should seek care for severe pain, vision changes, or persistent thick discharge; see the complete guidance below to choose the safest next step.

Q.

Why are my eyes bloodshot?

A.

Bloodshot eyes have many causes—from minor dryness, allergies, irritants, eye strain, contact lens issues, or a small subconjunctival bleed to infections and urgent problems like uveitis, corneal ulcers, or acute glaucoma, and sometimes even systemic conditions such as high blood pressure or autoimmune disease. There are several factors to consider; see below for the full list of causes, home relief tips, and key red flags (severe pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, discharge, injury) that guide whether to self-care or seek urgent medical attention.

Q.

What are the side effects of izervay?

A.

Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) can sometimes cause eye pain, redness, or inflammation after an injection, and these side effects are usually temporary. It is important to follow your doctor's care and report any unusual eye symptoms.