Dry Eye

The question, “Doc, why are my eyes always red?” is commonly asked of me by patients. Red eyes are screaming for attention and rarely improve on their own without proper treatment.

There are several reasons your eyes can be red, many of which can be serious and should be assessed and treated by an eye doctor. Though over-the-counter eye drops exist to “get the red out,” they are only a quick fix and only mask the true eye problem.

 Your doctor may ask you questions about your red eyes at your visit.

• How long have you had red eyes?
• Which symptoms are you experiencing? Severity? Pain?
• How many hours do you spend on the computer?
• Do you take any medications?
• Do your eyes appear red all day or do they seem worse in the morning/evening?
• What type of contacts do you wear and how long do you wear them?
• Have you tried any medications or drops for treatment?

Tired of waking up with puffy or swollen eyelids? Often, the terms “puffy eyelid” and “swollen eyelid” are used interchangeably, but they are different.

While puffy eyelids may be a cosmetic nuisance, they are usually harmless and often the result of fluid retention overnight. Swollen eyelids are caused by an inflammatory response to an allergen, infection, or injury.

There are a number of common causes for swollen eyelids—some more serious than others.

Are your eyes streaming with tears when you aren’t even crying? Or maybe they just constantly feel wet. Having constantly watery eyes can be uncomfortable.

Your eyes are designed to naturally produce tears to soothe and protect them. When you are around dust or smoke your eyes will temporarily produce additional tears as a defense mechanism to keep irritants out.

But what happens when your eyes produce excess tears for no obvious reason? Here are some possible causes for your watery eyes and tips for managing your symptoms.