Red eye or dry eye?

My eyes seem to be chronically red lately and on one eye, occasionally, my eyelid seems to stick a bit. I've been told that it is due to a blocked up gland in the eye. Is anyone familiar with this phenomenon? Is it chronic or can it be treated? If it can be treated, how?

Providing you can't think of anything that prompted these symptoms (i.e. surgery, new meds, ceiling fan, new make-up of skin care products, etc), soak the eyes with a warm washcloth morning and night, then use the washcloth to gently scrub the eyelashes, top and bottom. (I make it part of my shower routine). Use artificial tears during the day, at least 4 times, more if you can, and put a lubricating ointment in the eyes at bedtime.(refresh p.m., lacrilube, etc.) If it is a case of dry eye, these simple steps will ease the symptoms.

If the lacrimal gland were 'blocked' so to speak, such as in dacryoadenitis, it would be swollen and painful. More likely, someone was referring to the oil glands that line the eyelid and secret oil onto the surface of the eye. This oil is what prevents the water of the tear from evaporating. When they get clogged up, they can't secrete the necessary oil to keep the eye lubricated.

If the dry eye care doesn't help, see an ophthalmologist.

well, if the Dr tell you that this is true otherwise dont depend on following:
the eye is wet by gland called lacrimal gland. its function is v important and that includes:
- liquefaction of eyelid (so prevent dryness)
- antimicrobial secretion to keep microbes away.
-smoothing the movement of eyelid.
-clear vision (just like the car frontal glass)
so, from your history it seems simply a viral infection and ophthalmologist will give u the appropriate treatment....
Here is a site were u find simple good information: