Discolored Whites of Eyes

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
I'm a 25-year-old African-American woman with dark brown eyes. The scleras of my eyes are a muddy yellow, brown and red when I wear blue/green eyeshadow or don't get enough sleep. This has occurred for about 4 years now. I don't smoke, drink or work around chemicals. My eyes are well lubricated and don't tear or burn. The formulation on the eye makeup isn't a problem (no irritation) , it's the color. This confuses me because blue is supposed to make your eyes pop and look whiter. Could this be an iron/vitamin deficiency? What can I do to stop this? Any products?        

Answer:
"Bloodshot" eyes are usually due to dilation of the microscopic blood vessels that reside in the conjunctiva – a transparent surface membrane that covers the white wall of the eyeball. Any environmental irritant can cause this, such as common allergens (e.g. pollen). Dryness can also contribute. These are not serious problems but are certainly annoying. Of course, your specific situation needs evaluation by an ophthalmologist.

Answered by: David F. Chang, MD 

Categories: General Eye Health

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