Symptoms associated with a red, irritated, and bloodshot eye are most likely due to what condition?

The presence of a red, irritated, and bloodshot eye is most commonly associated with conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the eyelids. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections (viral or bacterial), allergens, or irritants, leading to the characteristic symptoms of redness, irritation, and often discharge.

In contrast, retinal detachment typically presents with symptoms such as flashes of light, floaters, and a shadow or curtain over the vision, rather than redness and irritation. Cataracts generally cause gradual clouding of the lens, leading to blurry vision, and not typically to bloodshot eyes. Open-angle glaucoma often remains asymptomatic in the early stages and does not present with redness or irritation; instead, it may lead to vision loss over time. Given these characteristics, conjunctivitis is the condition most clearly linked to the symptoms described.