Health Tip: Why Are My Eyes Red?

Mar. 23 -- (HealthDay News) -- Eye redness occurs when blood vessels on the surface of the eye become dilated.

Here are some common causes of red eyes, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Straining the eyes.
• Persistent or severe coughing.
• An eye infection.
• A cold or allergy.
• Damage to the eye.
• Acute glaucoma.
• Scratches on the cornea, commonly caused by wearing contact lenses too long, or sand or dust in the eyes.
• Bleeding problems, often caused by taking blood-thinning drugs.