Your cheat sheet to fix red eyes.
Red eyes or bloodshot eyes are frequently not a welcomed sight. “How to Get Rid of Red Eyes” yields about 260 million results when searched online. So suffice to say, it can be an unwanted sign that could potentially convey something you don’t intend to convey to those around you.
So why do red eyes occur? Red eyes most often are a response from irritation or infection. Irritation can happen in the form of dryness (whether chronic or acute), allergies or exposure to harsh chemicals (smoke or chlorine). Red eyes from infection can occur from different germs inadvertently encountered, whether bacterial or viral. Regardless of the cause, if you’re like most people, you just want those red eyes back to white, no questions asked. So here is your cheat sheet to ridding the redness.
Use Artificial tears. Artificial tears provide lubrication to the front surface of the eye. When your natural tears are not pulling their own weight, artificial tears can be a comfortable and soothing addition. Artificial tears come in a lot of different formulations; case in point, the artificial tear aisle at the drugstore is an endless array of options. Stick to preservative-free options that can be used as needed, throughout the day.
Take breaks from your computer. Find yourself endlessly staring at a computer screen all day then topping it off with additional hours scrolling? You blink less when staring and scrolling on a screen for hours at a time. Less blinking limits the amount of tears that coat and moisturize the front surface of the eyes, leading to dry and red eyes. Use the 20-20-20 rule to take visual breaks (which also reminds you to blink). The 20-20-20 rule states that every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and look 20 feet away. The added bonus of the 20-20-20 rule: helps limit eyestrain too.
Use a humidifier. If it’s hot and dry where you live, the air conditioning may be running a lot. That nice cool vent may keep your temperature optimal indoors but when it directly blasts down on you, it can cause irritation to your eyes, causing dryness. Ceiling fans are another culprit, circling dry air, which can cause evaporative issues for eye moisture. A humidifier provides more moisture in the air which helps your eyes to retain more moisture too.
Drink water. Drink water. Drink water. Repeat. Hydration plays an important role throughout the entire body, so it goes to show that water intake is important for your eyes too. Need help remembering to up your water intake? Me too. Time-marked water bottles provide a gentle reminder if you need to up your water game for the day or pat your self on the back for your water goals. Check out this time-marked water bottle here.
Use a cold compress. Or if you’re feeling fancy, cold cucumber slices anyone? A cold compress (or sliced cucumber) works by constricting those tiny blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in less redness. Use a cold compress mask for 7-10 minutes a day to help relieve redness and the added bonus: reduce eyelid puffiness.
Check your medications. Antihistamines and cold meds are the usual suspects in causing red eyes. With ingredients that work to dry-up sinuses, they also can dry-up those eyes. Take stock if you pop that antihistamine and those red eyes also pop.
Talk to your Optometrist about your symptoms. Are you noticing other symptoms? Light sensitivity? Discharge? Pain? Those are symptoms you don’t want to ignore and could indicate other issues that need immediate attention by your eye care provider.
And if you haven’t seen your optometrist in awhile (which is considered greater than a year), schedule an eye exam to discuss any concerns you may have with your eyes, including chronic redness. Your personality should be your defining characteristic, not your red eyes!
Stay Happy and Healthy!
Dr. Jen Wademan
