Red Vs. Dry Eye: Which One Do I Have?

Red eye and dry eye are both descriptive terms that can be used for the same reasons. Of course, this can become confusing if you’re trying to get these conditions treated. When your eyes get dry, they can become bloodshot. All the red showing through might lead you to describe your condition as red eye, when what you really have is dry eye. If you want to learn more about the difference, we’ll look at the main symptoms and what you should know about them.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye in Burleson, TX refers to when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the eyes aren’t producing enough healthy tears. While you can think of your tears as salt water, there’s actually more to it than that. If your eyelids aren’t producing enough oil, then the eyes won’t stay lubricated.

What Is Red Eye?

Red eye is related to the blood vessels in the eye. If they become inflamed, then they’ll turn your eyes red. The causes of red eye are usually either allergies or the result of a foreign substance. For instance, you might have a speck of dust that gets caught in your eye for a moment, but its aftermath lingers for longer than you’d like.

What You Should Know

Red eyes and dry eyes are both conditions that should be on your radar, though red eyes often won’t need help from an eye doctor. For instance, you may need to visit an allergist to see what’s causing the reaction or check with your primary doctor to see if red eye is indicative of an underlying condition.

Red eye can also clear up after just a good night’s sleep or after washing out their eyes with water. Dry eyes might require more assistance from an eye doctor, as it could indicate a problem with your glands.

Find an Eye Doctor in Burleson

Dry eyes aren’t serious in that they’re life-threatening, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem either. If you’re looking for an eye doctor in Burleson, TX who can help, visiting Vision Plaza can help you identify the problem so you can get the treatment you need.