Most eye drops work by constricting the blood vessels in the eyes. By making the blood vessels smaller, they reduce eye redness. Be careful of using these too much because your eyes may get dependent on them. Eventually if you don’t use them, you’ll get rebound redness which makes your eyes red just because it is craving the constricting agents. Preservative free eye drops tend to be the most natural for you eyes. They come in single vial uses which makes them very hygienic.
If your redness is due to allergies, look for eye drops with antihistamines. Antihistamines can also cause eye dryness/redness, so you can couple these drops with artificial tears. If you have an infection, see your doctor for prescription eye drops that have antibiotics. Be careful with “bacteria-fighting” eye drops. Many people have an allergic reaction to the preservatives in them. You might make your eyes even worse!
The most common cause of red eyes is allergies. The body releases histamines that dry the eyes, causing blood vessels to swell. Cold water reduces blood flow to the eyes and treats some of this inflammation.
If you don’t have a freeze-pack, place some ice cubes in a clean washcloth. Hold it over your eyes for 4 to 5 minutes. When using extremely cold products like ice or a freezer-pack, always protect your eyes with a thin cloth towel. This prevents ice burn.
This can also occur if you are taking any blood thinners, doing heavy lifting, are constipated, or engaging in any activity that increases pressure to the head. It can also happen if you have a blood disorder. So if it occurs frequently, visit your eye doctor. Blood tests may be needed. See a doctor if you have any pain, or if you have a chronic disease like diabetes.
The dryness and redness is only in one eye, or at least began for the first few days as one-sided before spreading. You recently had a viral or bacterial infection (i. e. ear infection, cold or flu) You’ve been around someone who had pink eye recently.
Is this a chronic problem or is this the first occurrence? Do you have any symptoms other than red eyes? How long has this particular occurrence been present? What medications do you take? Include any vitamins or supplements. Do you drink alcohol or use any drugs? Do you have any chronic diseases? What allergies do you suffer from? Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Have you been sleeping enough? Are you eating less, or do you feel dehydrated?
Consciously remind yourself to blink. Follow the 20-20 rule: every twenty minutes, take a break from your screen and do something else for 20 seconds to a minute. Give your eyes a little breather. Lower the brightness on your screen. Place the screen 20-40 inches away from your eyes. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
Place the screen somewhere it is level with your eyes. You don’t want to be looking up or down at the screen. Leave a distance of about 20-40 inches (50-100 cm) between your eyes and the screen. Wear eyewear design to fight eye strain from the glare of light off the screen. If you wear prescription lenses or glasses, ask your eye care expert if the time you spend looking at screens calls for a new prescription. Consider a tint or anti-glare coating to reduce the strain on your eyes.
If you’re unwilling or unable to quit smoking, make sure to smoke outside to keep your house smoke free. You can also purchase air cleaners to keep your home smoke-free if you smoke indoors.
Use a drink calculator to figure out if you’re drinking more alcohol than you should. [13] X Research source When drinking alcohol, drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. You need enough water in your body to keep your eyes moisturized.
Vitamins C, E, and zinc prevent eye problems that arise with age. You can find these vitamins in bell peppers, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, cabbage, tomatoes, raspberries, celery, and spinach. [15] X Research source Vitamins B2 and B6 reduce age-related eye diseases and help prevent cataracts. Eat foods like eggs, fresh vegetables, whole cereals, dairy products, sunflower seeds, and meats like tuna, liver, and turkey. Lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eyes from harmful lights. To boost these nutrients in your diet, eat plenty of green peas, green beans, orange bell peppers, corn, tangerines, oranges, mangos, eggs, and dark, green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, broccoli, and spinach. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.
Another benefit of sleep is that it allows time for white blood cells to fight harmful pathogens.
You may also be allergic to pet dander. If you notice dry, itchy, or swollen eyes when you’re around certain pets, avoid those animals. You can also see a doctor for injections to fight your dander allergy.
