Skip to main content

Located on the East side of Oakbrook Mall near the Southeast entrance of Nordstrom and across from the Citibank Building and Shake Shack

Request Appointment
630-581-2151
Open Menu
Open Menu
Home » Eye Care Services in Oak Brook, IL » Dry Eye Treatment » Dry Eyes vs. Red Eyes: How To Know & What To Do About It

Dry Eye vs. Red Eye

Red eyes and dry eye can be confused rather readily. Both illnesses feature dry, itchy, and red eyes. A person with dry eye syndrome may frequently underestimate the severity of their red, dry, and itchy eyes by attributing them to something simple, such as allergies, and will endure the unpleasant itchiness that comes with the condition for a very long period. He or she will discover that no matter what steps are done, the situation does not improve noticeably, and relief requires consulting an eye doctor.

Fortunately, Dr. Joseph Franceschini is very familiar with the symptoms of dry eye syndrome and how to treat it. Dr. Joseph Franceschini has compiled some points of essential knowledge below, to help his patients recognize the indications of this uncomfortable and painful eye condition in a more timely fashion so that they can prevent prolonging the pain and discomfort of this extremely uncomfortable.

Dry Eye Syndrome

The symptoms of dry eye syndrome include itchy, red, and dry-feeling eyes that do not improve until prompt medical attention is sought. In general, doctors talk about two major reasons for dry eye conditions. Either:

  • Tear production is insufficient, and the eye cannot be properly moisturized.

OR

  • Tears from the eye are imperfect. They frequently lack one or more crucial components that are typically present in tears so that they can effectively cover and moisturize the eye.

A sort of specialized eye drop known as "artificial tears" is the best defense against either of these types of dry eye conditions. These specialized eye drops attempt to closely resemble natural tears in order to alleviate the painful symptoms of dry eye syndrome. There are numerous different formulations of artificial tears available to accomplish this in the best way feasible. Each remedy targets a distinct underlying reason for your dry eye. Others will add one or more building blocks to your tears to help them better carry out their intended job. Some aid to address the concerns of dry eye syndrome where there are insufficient tears.

Red Eyes

In general, red eyes are not as concerning as dry eye, so you shouldn't be very concerned about them. Most often, allergies or foreign objects that can irritate your eyes are to blame for red eyes. The little blood vessels in your eyes then swell and become inflamed, making them much more noticeable and giving them a reddish tint. This is the origin of the phrase "red eyes."

Red eyes frequently go away on their own and return to normal without any kind of medical intervention. A word of warning, though: Because there are so many disorders that might cause dry eyes, it's frequently difficult to pinpoint the actual cause. Go to the doctor right away if you have red eyes plus a high temperature, a headache, or a lot of eye pain. With that said, red eyes are often not serious and shouldn't worry you unless they are coupled with these other symptoms.

It can occasionally be challenging to distinguish between these two states, even with a succinct but thorough description like this. Visit Dr. Joseph Franceschini right away if you think your red eyes may be indicative of something else.