Glassy Eyes: Causes, Treatment, Prevention

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 6 Jul 2009 - Updated: 15 Apr 2024
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Related Content

Synopsis

Glassy eyes can be defined as a fixed staring and wide eyed appearance with the eyes appearing shiny, glazed over, or out of focus.

Overview

What are glassy eyes? The term generally refers to an appearance of listlessness in which the eyes are unfocused and without lustre. Sometimes people with elevated thyroid levels or Graves' disease may have a stare, wide-eyes, or appear glassy eyed.

Common Causes of Glassy Eyes

Glazed, shiny or glassy eyes are common occurrences that do not usually warrant concern. On rare occasions, they can be a sign of a bigger problem. Most instances of glassy eyes are due to lifestyle choices, such as working long hours in front of a computer or drug and alcohol use as these can lead to less blinking, resulting in a glassy-eyed appearance. You should visit your doctor if you are in pain or have other eye conditions.

• Allergic reactions can affect the sinuses and eyes. The eyes can become irritated and itchy, causing them to appear red and glassy.
• Dry, glassy eyes can be a symptom of dehydration, especially in children.
• Viral conjunctivitis can also cause a slight redness of the eyes and a glassy appearance from tearing. Adenovirus is a major cause of viral conjunctivitis.
• The herpes virus, such as that which causes chickenpox or shingles, can also affect the eye.
• Various types of allergies can also cause the condition.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can cause many physical and psychological symptoms including glazed eyes.
• Glassy eyes can be caused by not blinking often enough, causing your eyes to become "dry" and lifeless.
• Taking drugs which affect the central nervous system, and even some medications, can give your eyes a glassy look as you tend to blink less frequently if the drug is actually depressing the nervous system. And most people know that marijuana often results in glassy and red eyes.
• Graves disease can cause the eyes to dry out and appear glassy and uncommonly large.
• Glassy eyes is one of the criteria for determining if a person is drunk while driving. Alcohol depresses the nervous system, and affects the eyes functions, such as size control and blinking.

Treatment for Glassy Eyes

The treatment for glazed or glassy eyes depends on the underlying cause. After identifying and treating the cause, a person can take steps to prevent this symptom from recurring. The easiest way to prevent dehydration is to drink more water throughout the day. When a person is properly hydrated, their eyes are unlikely to appear glassy.

• Placing a couple of Visine or Rhoto eye-drops in your eyes can take away some of the glazed look fairly quickly.
• You can also try using of natural tears 4-6+ times/day to assist with your natural tear production.
• If you are concerned about having glassy eyes your doctor can diagnose the cause and take measures to address it. For example, if your doctor diagnoses you have hypoglycemia, then treatment would involve raising your blood sugars levels, and finding what's the cause of the condition itself.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.