Question
Hello,
I know red eyes can have a lot of different meanings but I have had bloodshot eyes on and off for a few weeks now and particularly for the past 3 days. it is more prominent in my right eye although both are red and watery. it has been very cold so it may be that or a slight cold i may have? my questions is, what do you think the cause is and when should i consult my doctor? thank you
Answer
Red and watery eyes (without the yellow, sticky discharge, which would suggest a bacterial infection) and (without the itchy symptom which would suggest an allergy situation) often signals a viral infection. As you may know, there is no treatment for a viral infection and it could very well be related to a cold you may have.
But I suspect there is something ELSE going on, as the fact that your condition has been "off and on for a few weeks now" does not fit with the cold/viral eye infection diagnosis. You did not mention whether you wear contact lenses, but if you do, you really MUST be seen by the eye doctor ASAP.
Even if you don't wear contact lenses, you should see a doctor. There are many other possibilities all the way from eyestrain to environmental issues. Hopefully the eye doctor will be able to figure out which problem is causing this.
