22 Nov How To Get Rid Of Red Eyes
One in five people experience red eyes at some point. Red eyes can occur due to allergies, lack of sleep, or even spending too much time in front of screens. You shouldn’t allow red eyes to interfere with your daily business. Spotting the cause and knowing when to get help keeps your eyes in the clear. Explore the world of red eyes, discover a few useful tips, and find out when to bring in the pros. Let’s learn how to get rid of red eyes!
What Causes Red Eyes?
1. Common Eye Issues
What’s happening when you get red eyes? There are a few common things that can cause this. First, dry eyes. This affects many people — somewhere between 5% and 50% of us might have it. Dry eyes can cause your eyes to appear red and become scratchy. Allergies are another issue. Pollen, pet dander, or even dust can trigger an allergic response, which can cause redness.
Sometimes red eyes accompany other symptoms. If your vision begins to go blurry, pay attention. Swelling or unusual discharge could indicate a problem other than dry eyes or allergies. Pay attention to the duration of the red-eyed effect. If it’s longer than a few days, ask an eye doctor just to be sure.
2. Serious Eye Conditions
Red eyes can at times be a symptom of something bigger, such as glaucoma or an infection. Redness along with pain and vision changes can occur with glaucoma. Infections such as conjunctivitis (which can be viral or bacterial) can turn your eyes red and puffy and may produce pus. Conditions such as blepharitis or styes can also cause redness and are worth monitoring.
3. Allergies And Irritants
Ever notice your eyes get really red and itchy during allergy season? That’s because allergens such as pollen can make your eyes itchy. Other irritants include smoke, dust, chlorine from pools, and even some perfumes. Pay attention if your eyes sting or burn, as you may be tearing up frequently because of one of these problems. If your eyes start to feel dry or blurry, it’s time to act. Try some antihistamine eye drops to soothe your discomfort.
4. Contact Lens Concerns
For contact lens wearers, red eyes can be a real pain. That’s because if you touch your eyes too often, you are likely to make them red. Proper hygiene is extremely important here. Have clean lenses and clean hands before putting them in. If you begin to feel discomfort, use over-the-counter eye drops. Also make sure to give your lenses a day off if they are irritating you.
5. Physical Eye Injuries
Have you gotten a scratch or something on your eye? This can make your eyes super red, and you need to treat this properly. A cool, damp cloth can help reduce redness and soothe irritation. Just make sure it’s not too cold, and rub it in gently. Repeat this a few times a day to give your eyes a chance to recover.
6. Sleep Deprivation Effects
Not sleeping enough? Your eyes may also be proving it by going red. Lack of sleep tends to dry your eyes, so keeping them moistened with artificial tears is a great idea. If you’re using them regularly, look for preservative-free versions. Follow package instructions and make sure you’re using them correctly.
7. Sunlight Exposure
Too much sun can make your eyes red, especially if you have lighter coloured eyes. Sunlight and UV rays are harsh, so protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses. When you’re indoors, use air purifiers to beat allergens. Close the windows during high pollen counts to protect your space.
8. Digital Eye Strain
Looking at screens all day? Make sure to take regular breaks to give your eyes a rest. Over-the-counter eye drops can ease some of the digital eye strain and keep your eyes feeling fresh.
Effective Home Treatments
Applying Cold Compresses
It’s such a pain to have your eyes go all red and itchy. Did you know that leaving them untreated can lead to complications? If you ignore it, you might get an infection or possibly even corneal damage. That’s why it’s super important to keep an eye on your symptoms. If you see any swelling, get yourself to an eye doctor ASAP!
Using a cold compress may help with the discomfort. Grab a clean cloth and soak it in cold water. Then, apply it gently over your closed eyelids for 10 minutes. This helps reduce swelling and relieve irritation.
Using Artificial Tears
Enter artificial tears — the miracle worker for most red eyes. They assist in keeping your eyes moist, which can greatly enhance your vision quality. Use them as often as you can, especially in those first few hours. Try to apply them every hour for the first six hours. This reduces dryness and keeps your eyes comfortable.
Pay attention to your vision when you use these eye drops. If you notice anything off about clarity or sharpness, don’t brush it off. Sometimes, untreated conditions can cause temporary or even permanent changes to your vision. If you ever experience sudden vision loss or disturbances, it’s important to get help immediately. While most red eyes clear up on their own, you don’t want to take any chances with your eyesight.
Over-The-Counter Solutions
Antihistamine Drops
Antihistamine drops can calm that annoying itchiness and can shrink those inflamed blood vessels that create the redness. These eye drops are not a long-term fix and will wear off in a jiffy. Always make sure to check the labels on bottles to ensure you can use them. In most cases, you need to use them with additional caution if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, or narrow-angle glaucoma.
Medical Treatment Options
Prescription Medications
If you’re visiting an optometrist for red eyes, they’ll start by asking about your symptoms. It’s important to give them all the information, because that’s how they can figure out what’s happening. You may need to have some diagnostic tests done to check your eye health. That might include imaging, as well as lab work for a complete workup. For example, they’ll likely test your intraocular pressure to confirm that you don’t have any conditions such as glaucoma. They may also measure tear production to check if dry eye is an issue. Your pupils may be dilated during the exam. This will allow the eye doctor to see the back of your eyes clearly.
Professional Procedures
In addition to medications, sometimes professional procedures are recommended to help treat red eyes. Supportive care may include cycloplegics. These drugs relieve pain and irritation by relaxing the eye muscles. Examples include atropine and cyclopentolate.
For chronic issues, treatment, such as topical cyclosporine, can be prescribed, though it can take months to see improvements. Using artificial tears often can help keep your eyes moist. Applying lubricant ointments at night also helps further reduce tear evaporation. It’s important to practice good hygiene — particularly if you wear contact lenses — and avoid allergens and irritants. Staying hydrated is another easy way to promote your eye health. If symptoms persist for more than seven to ten days, it’s best that you see an optometrist.
When To Consult Your Optometrist
Persistent Symptoms
If you’ve had red eyes for more than a day or two, stop waiting. Reach out to your eye doctor for guidance. This is particularly crucial for very young children who may not be able to articulate all their symptoms. If your eye redness doesn’t go away after a few days, that’s a reason to reach out to your eye doctor. If you have thick pus or mucus that hangs around, don’t wait to make that call.
Severe Pain Or Vision Loss
Severe pain or any kind of vision loss is a big red flag. If you experience any of these, you should contact your optometrist right away. It’s not just a risk of comfort but ensuring that there’s not something truly serious underneath. Your eyes are sensitive, so they require the right care.
Conclusion
Red eyes are inconvenient, but it’s important that you deal with them right away. Try using cooling compresses or artificial eye drops. Both help soothe and clear up those pesky red eyes. If things don’t get better, head to the drugstore for some over-the-counter relief.
If these first options don’t work, make sure to book an appointment with Dr D’Orio Eyecare today! Visit https://drdorioeyecare.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 416-656-2020 for our Toronto location, or 416-661-5555 for our North York location.
