Red eye is a common problem that can happen in one or both eyes. The redness comes from the blood vessels on the surface of the eye. These blood vessels expand or dilate due to irritation or disease.

Causes

Allergies
Blepharitis (which is eyelid inflammation)
Chalazion or stye, which comes from inflammation in the glands of your eyelid
Complication from a recent eye surgery
Contact lens complication
Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid
Corneal herpetic infection or herpes
Corneal ulcer
Dry eyes (caused by decreased production of tears)
Ectropion (a condition in which the eyelid turns outward)
Entropion (a condition in which the eyelid turns inward)
Episcleritis, which is inflammation of the covering of the white part of the eye
Eye drops side effect or complication
Floppy eyelid syndrome, which happens when the eyelid can easily fold on itself
Foreign object in the eye: First aid
Glaucoma (which is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve)
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
Injury, such as from a blunt trauma or a burn
Iritis (which is inflammation of the colored part of the eye)
Keratitis (which is inflammation of the cornea)
Orbital cellulitis, which is an infection of the area around the eye
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Scleritis (which is inflammation of the white part of the eye)
Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye)

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