Red Eyes Vs. Dry Eyes: Similarities and Differences

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Itchy eyes, dry eyes, red eyes: these aren’t just names that you give to your peepers when they’re not feeling well. Because they’re so descriptive, it’s easy to get them confused, and that confusion can cause people to ignore symptoms until they reach a breaking point. We’ll look at the differences between the two and how you can use this information if you’re nervous about how your eyes are responding to different stimuli.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes in Riverdale, NJ aren’t just defined by a lack of tears, they’re defined by the quality of tears too. So maybe your body isn’t producing tears at all, or maybe the tears that are being produced don’t have the oil they need to properly coat and hydrate the eye. If you have dry eyes, you’ll likely catch yourself rubbing them quite a lot or trying to blink through the blur.

Red Eyes

While red eyes may look more troublesome than dry eyes, thanks to the inflamed and enlarged blood vessels that are causing the color, they’re actually less of a problem than you might think. Red eyes are often caused by foreign substances, like allergens, which means that they clear up faster than a more chronic problem like dry eyes. Most of the time, you won’t need to consult a doctor if you have red eye, as long as it’s not accompanied by any other symptoms. If you have red eyes plus a headache, for instance, that could be cause for concern.

Find an Eye Doctor in Riverdale

An eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ won’t just diagnose the issue, they can tell you more about how to treat it. Unexplained red eyes may indicate that you’ve developed a new allergy to pollen in the air, while dry eyes may indicate a problem with the meibomian gland at the edge of your eyelid. You may need to take prescription eye drops or use dry eye masks as a way to open up clogged oil ducts. Whatever it happens to be, Riverdale Vision Care can help you determine what to do next. Schedule an appointment with us if you want to pinpoint the cause of the issue, so you can take action.

Relief from Red, Irritated Eyes  

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Red, itchy eyes affect millions of Americans every day. It’s an uncomfortable condition that has many causes. But when you can’t seem to find relief for days on end, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. The friendly clinicians at Riverdale Vision Care can perform a routine eye exam that gets to the root of dry, itchy eyes. And the sooner you see your eye doctor, the sooner we can begin treatment to bring you relief.

What Causes Red, Irritated Eyes?

Several factors may contribute to this type of eye discomfort, including:

  • Allergies
  • Dry Eye
  • Inflammation of one or more of the delicate tissues that make up the eye
  • Infection, such as conjunctivitis
  • Debris in the eye
  • Scratched cornea
  • Stye
  • Injury
  • Irritation from contact lenses
  • Some medications

Irritated eyes may also be a symptom of a more serious condition, including glaucoma. For this reason, it’s important to schedule an eye exam right away. There are several treatments available that may bring immediate relief.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your eye doctor can accurately diagnose your condition by examining your eyes, asking questions regarding your symptoms, and learning more about your medical history. Once we’ve determined what’s irritating your eyes, we can begin treatment. You may receive medication, such as eyedrops or antibiotics. Your eye specialist may also recommend cool compresses applied at home until the situation resolves. Or, you may need to stop taking a certain medication and find another one to replace it, if that is determined to be the culprit.

Regardless, your eye doctor will advise you to keep the area around your eyes clean to avoid further risk of infection, and we’ll usually recommend that you do your best to refrain from rubbing your eyes.

Relief for Red, Irritated Eyes in Riverdale

If you’re experiencing eye discomfort in the Riverdale, NJ, area, call Riverdale Vision Care to schedule a convenient appointment. Our experienced and friendly team will examine your eyes and make a diagnosis based upon what they find. Most forms of treatment can begin right away, bringing immediate relief. Contact us today to book a routine eye exam.

 

Symptoms of COVID-19-Related Conjunctivitis

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Conjunctivitis is a big word, but it’s really only a fancy term for an eye infection. You may know it better as pink eye. Conjunctivitis can be caused by several factors, including bacteria, virus, and allergens. It’s a relatively common condition that usually clears up through medication, and it’s a known symptom of COVID-19, though not everyone who contracts COVID-19 will develop conjunctivitis. And just because you may have pink eye, this doesn’t mean you have Coronavirus. Your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ, can give you more information regarding pink eye.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis are the same regardless of the cause. They include:

  • Itchy eyes
  • A pink tint to the whites of the eyes
  • A feeling of grittiness when you rub your eyes
  • Excessive tearing
  • Discharge
  • Crusty eyes in the morning

When you have pink eye, this means the conjunctiva, or transparent membrane that covers the whites of your eyes, has become inflamed. The tiny blood vessels in your eye become more visible as a result. This makes your eye appear pink where it’s usually white.

Pink eye is irritating and may cause pain and discomfort. It’s also contagious. It’s easily treated, however, with artificial tears, warm or cold compresses, and frequent cleaning of the area around your eye with a clean, wet cloth. Your eye doctor may also recommend over-the-counter medicines for pain.

Symptoms of COVID-19-Related Conjunctivitis

If your conjunctivitis is caused by the COVID-19 virus, it will usually be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

  • Sore Throat
  • Congestion
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Headache

If you think you may have COVID-related pink eye, it’s important to contact your health care provider right away. If you’re not terribly sick, a phone call may be best. If you have the symptoms of pink eye without the accompanying cold symptoms, schedule a pink-eye screening in Riverdale, NJ.

Riverdale Vision Care Can Help

Riverdale Vision Care is a top choice of eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ. We offer comprehensive eye exams that can help detect the early stages of eye disorders and diseases such as pink eye. In addition, we’re a one-stop shop for contact lenses. Stop by our location inside Pearle Vision Center today, or call to book a consultation.