'Anything' could be causing the unsightly issue that is hard for others to ignore

Bloodshot eyes occur when the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the eye become swollen or dilated. Most bloodshot eyes are harmless and resolve on their own, but people can "refresh" themselves and clear up the issue at home using something that could already be in their cupboards.

Optometrist Humaira Bham appeared on BBC's Morning Live and said that bloodshot eyes are a symptom that can be "caused by anything" that irritates the eyes. The severity can range from small areas of the eye being affected to full-blown redness across the entire eye.

She said bloodshot eyes can be triggered by conditions such as conjunctivitis, ingrown eyelashes, or blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margins), which can cause a sore, unsightly appearance. Alternatively, it can be as simple as a change in environment that causes the eyes to dry out.

Humaira claims that things like pollen or dust exposure, or simply changing your laundry detergent, could trigger a reaction. Working backwards can sometimes reveal the underlying cause of eye issues.

One of the most common culprits for redness comes from staring at digital screens for long periods of time - such as computers, gaming consoles or smartphones. The habit of staring reduces your blink rate, leading to dry, irritated and red eyes.

What can you do to help with bloodshot eyes?

The optometrist claims that knowing the cause of the problem is essential to getting the right solution. For allergies, knowing the trigger can help get a prescription for medication that relieves and prevents symptoms.

Eye drops can also help target the issue directly. Humaira explains: "Eye drops are really good to use because they mimic the tear film, and they're giving you that moisture that you'd otherwise lose."

For those who don't like the thought of using drops, a simple eye bath can be an easy and "refreshing" way to clear up eyes suffering from redness. People can buy a complete kit, including the 'bath' and solution, for £3.99 at Boots - but they may already have a makeshift option at home.

Humaira showed that, as an alternative to a small 'bath', people could use clean shot glasses to hold the eye wash solution, as the size and shape are quite similar to the eye. Although this home remedy works to some extent, it carries risks, such as injury from small chips or cracks.

Shot glasses usually have a firm, flat rim, so they cannot conform to the shape of your eye socket as easily as specifically designed ones, which can lead to spills and leaks. The rims of cheap plastic shot glasses could also be sharp or rough and may scratch the surface of your eye.

According to the NHS website, you should ask for an urgent appointment with a GP or optician, or call NHS 111 if your eye is very painful or you wear contact lenses, as you could have an eye infection. Go to A&E if you have a red eye and:

• You have any changes to your sight, like wavy lines, flashing or loss of vision.
• It hurts to look at light.
• You have a severe headache and feel sick.
• Your eye or eyes are very dark red.
• You have injured your eye, or something is stuck in your eye (such as a piece of glass or grit).
• Your eye injury was caused by a dangerous liquid, such as a chemical.
• One pupil is bigger than the other.