This article explores different treatments for red eyes and details how to get rid of red eyes. It also explains when to see your healthcare provider for red-eye treatment.
What Is Red Eye?
That “bloodshot” appearance of red eyes occurs when blood vessels in the white part of the eye—the conjunctiva—are irritated and become enlarged.
This can happen for many reasons. In some cases, it’s a sign of a medical condition such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), uveitis, corneal ulcer, or acute angle-closure glaucoma, especially if accompanied by certain symptoms.
See your healthcare provider for prompt referral to an ophthalmologist if you have a red eye following an injury, or have:
Severe painVision changesLight sensitivityPusCold-like symptomsNauseaBlood in the iris (the colored part of the eye)
Most often, however, the cause of red eyes is benign, such as lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking (and kicking the habit is the most advisable solution), swimming in a chlorinated pool, or, ironically, overusing eye drops to treat the redness.
In these cases, there are over-the-counter (OTC) products and home remedies you can try to get the red out and prevent it from coming back.
How to Use:
To make a cold compress, fill a bowl with ice and water. Submerge a clean washcloth in the water to soak it up. Remove it and wring out the excess. Apply to closed eyes for between five and 10 minutes. Repeat a few times per day.
Small bags of frozen peas or corn make effective compresses for red eye as well, as they conform to the eye area and tend to stay colder longer than a cloth.
Causes of dry eye include:
Environmental conditions (wind, smoke, dry climate)Age (being over 50)Screen useMedications (antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants)Medical conditions (diabetes, thyroid disease, Sjogren’s syndrome)
How to Use
To get rid of red eyes, try inserting artificial tears:
Every hour for the first six hoursSix times per day for the rest of the week
Visine Original (tetrahydrozoline) Clear Eyes (naphazoline) Neofrin (phenylephrine)
Vasoconstricting eye drops are not popular with eye doctors for treating red eye because, when used for too long, they wear off quickly and prompt too-frequent use. This can cause “rebound redness”—when the drops wear off, blood vessels dilate even larger than they were before, making eyes appear bloodshot.
How to Use
Apply eye drops to treat red eye no more than twice daily:
Once in the morningOnce before bedtime
Vasoconstrictors reduce redness and may be used safely for up to 72 hours.
More frequent use of this type of eye drop is not good for your eyes. If you find yourself needing them every morning, consult your healthcare provider.
Precautions
Do not use vasodilator eye drops without consulting your healthcare provider first if you’re pregnant or have:
Heart condition High blood pressure Diabetes Hyperthyroidism
People who have narrow-angle glaucoma should not use vasodilator eye drops.
Once available only by prescription, antihistamine eye drops can now be purchased over the counter. Brands include Opcon-A and Naphcon-A, which contain both an antihistamine to control itching and a vasoconstrictor to shrink swollen blood vessels to reduce redness.
How to Use
Antihistamines are short-acting, so they must be used:
At least four times per dayOr per a healthcare provider’s directionBut not for more than two to three consecutive days, as this can increase irritation and other symptoms
If you wear contact lenses, wait 10 minutes after using antihistamine eye drops before inserting them.
Precautions
If your eye allergy symptoms don’t improve or worsen, see your eye doctor. Ask your healthcare provider before using an antihistamine/vasoconstrictor eye drop (such as Opcon-A) if you have:
Heart diseaseHigh blood pressureEnlarged prostateNarrow angle glaucoma
