It is common to experience red eyes once in a while after rubbing your eyes frequently.
Some individuals may also observe red, bloodshot eyes just after waking up, and it is completely normal to experience red eyes after deep sleep.
However, waking up with red eyes may lead to serious discomfort, making people wonder – “Why are my eyes red when I wake up?”.
Red eyes after waking up might be an early sign of serious eye conditions that may impact your vision.
In this article, we will look into the reasons for morning red eyes and explore preventive measures.
Why Are My Eyes Red When I Wake Up
Red eyes are a result of swollen blood vessels on the surface of the eye called the sclera.
This nerve swelling may be caused by allergens such as dust particles or due to infrequent blinking of the eyes, especially after waking up.
There are several causes why you may wake up with red eyes in the morning.
Some common mild causes that lead to morning eye redness are:
- Computer Vision Syndrome, which is caused by excessive screen time before sleeping
- Dry eyes syndrome
- Lack of sleep
- Eye strain
- Eye allergies
Besides these mild causes, several severe eye conditions are also responsible for causing red eyes in the morning.
These serious eye conditions include Glaucoma, Keratitis, Sleep Apnea, and Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Therefore, it is important to consult an eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of your red eyes.
How to Treat Morning Red Eyes
Source: tirc83_from_Getty_ImagesTo get relief from morning red eyes, there are several treatment options you may incorporate for effective treatment.
You may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as artificial tears and lubricating eye drops for the management.
Besides these OTC medications, home remedies such as warm and cold compresses might also help to provide ease from the discomfort caused due to red eyes.
However, the application of these home remedies is different. If you want to learn more about these home remedies in detail, read Effective Home Remedies for Red Eyes.
It is essential to note that these natural remedies and OTC medications do not treat the fundamental condition behind morning eye redness.
For proper and effective treatment of this symptom, it is important to determine and treat the eye condition responsible for red eyes.
These eye conditions include pink eye, Sleep Apnea, and Glaucoma, and require prescription-based medications for complete and effective treatment.
Therefore, it is best to visit an eye doctor if your eyes are red after waking up.
Are Morning Red Eyes Preventable
Yes, morning red eyes caused by allergies or eye strain are generally preventable.
It is advised to practice proper hygiene while wearing contact lenses and take them off before sleeping.
Also, avoid screen time at night, especially a few hours before sleeping.
Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes.
Lastly, keep your beddings clean and allergen-free by washing them frequently.
Conclusion
Red eyes after waking up is a common eye problem, but it may indicate some serious eye conditions.
To answer the common question- why are my eyes red when I wake up, it is important to identify the specific eye condition causing this redness.
Eye redness in the morning may be caused by nerve swelling due to dry eyes, eye strain, or allergens.
Individuals may use OTC medications such as artificial tears for temporary relief in such cases.
However, regularly waking up with red eyes may point toward serious eye conditions such as Glaucoma, pink eye, or sleep apnea.
These eye conditions may lead to severe eye damage if not treated in time.
Therefore, it is best to visit an eye doctor to diagnose the eye condition behind red eyes properly.
After assessing your condition, they will prescribe the appropriate medications for red eyes in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes red eyes when you wake up?
Red eyes after waking up are caused by swelling of the eye nerves. This may happen due to minor allergies and eye strain or due to serious eye conditions such as pink eye.
It is best to visit an eye doctor for the exact diagnosis of your eye condition.
Why is my right eye red when I wake up?
Redness in one eye upon waking may suggest allergies or an infection specific to that eye. Allergens such as dust or pollen may cause eye redness. However, this can also be a sign of some serious underlying eye conditions.
Therefore, visit an ophthalmologist to treat your eye condition properly.
Is it normal to wake up with red eyes?
No, it is generally not normal to wake up with red eyes. Eye redness in the morning can be a sign of serious eye conditions that may cause eye damage.
Therefore, visit an eye doctor to undergo proper eye examination if you wake up with red eyes.
Can morning eye redness be cured on its own?
No, eye redness after waking up may not get cured on its own. Although some minor eye allergies may resolve with time, most eye conditions causing red eyes in the morning need proper medical assistance for complete treatment.
Hence, it is best to visit an eye doctor for treating red eyes.
How to get rid of red eyes after waking up?
To alleviate red eyes after waking up, you can try using eye compresses and artificial tears. However, it is best to contact an eye doctor to seek the appropriate medical care.
Cheap Medicine Shop only refers to credible, authoritative sources for our content. If you’re curious about how we ensure the integrity of our content, we encourage you to read our Content Information Policy.
