Relieving Red Eyes

Most people experience red eyes at one point or another. The conjunctiva, or the eye’s white part, can become enlarged and irritated, causing the eyes to turn red. The red-eye condition can happen due to different reasons. In some cases, red eyes may be a sign of a health or medical condition when accompanied by other symptoms. Some eye problems include conjunctivitis or pink eye, corneal ulcer, uveitis, or acute glaucoma.

What Causes Red Eyes?

For most people, red eyes are often caused by lifestyle activities that result in the eyes becoming over-tired. Many people experience “bloodshot” eyes due to lack of sleep, consuming too much alcohol, smoking, or swimming in chlorinated pools. In most cases, simply avoiding the activities will deal with the redness issue. In some situations, red eyes can be caused by the frequent use of eye drops to treat the condition.

When Should You Worry?
 

Red eyes caused by lifestyle habits is not something to worry about. In most cases, the redness goes away after a while, even without intervention. For some people, simply kicking the habit can solve the problem. When red eyes occur in conjunction with other symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention. Some symptoms you should worry about include vision changes, severe pain, light sensitivity, bloody iris, nausea, and cold-like symptoms.

Home Remedies for Red Eyes

Some home remedies can help to treat red eyes. One common yet effective way to treat red eyes is using a cold compress. Placing a clean washcloth soaked in cold water over the eyes can help to soothe the eyes. The cold compress works by constricting the enlarged eye blood vessels. This erases the redness while also reducing fluid retention in the eye area.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

Some over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that can help to treat eye redness include artificial tears, vasoconstrictors, and antihistamine eye drops. The artificial tears or demulcent drops are created to restore moisture to eyes that are dry and inflamed. Vasoconstrictors or decongestants help to shrink the eye’s small blood vessels, which effectively clears the redness. Antihistamine eye drops are formulated to treat symptoms of eye allergies that cause redness.

Seeking Medical Attention
 

If you suffer from constant eye redness, it is important to seek medical attention. It is also important to realize that frequent use of OTC eye drops can lead to “rebound redness.” This is a situation where the drops wear off, causing the blood vessels to dilate even more. The eyes become more bloodshot the more you use the products. By talking to an eye doctor, you can find out the best treatment for your condition. Too frequent use of most eye drops is not good for the eyes.

If you find yourself using eye drops frequently during the day, it is a good idea to consult your doctor. It is important to get a proper diagnosis for your condition so that you can get the right treatment. You should also consult a doctor if you have a heart condition, diabetes, high blood pressure, or if you are pregnant.

To know more about relieving red eyes, visit Lakhani Vision Care at our offices in Marietta, Georgia. You can also call 770.509.9932 to book an appointment today.