Have you ever looked in a mirror and noticed that your eyes were red? Whether you’ve been staring at a computer or TV screen for too long or are suffering from allergies, red eyes can be painful and ugly. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the irritation and swelling. Eye redness usually goes hand-in-hand with dry eyes, so treatments address both issues.
Step One
Do your research on eye drops. There are many different types of eye drops, each one recommended for different circumstances. For example, if you have red eyes and wear contact lenses, a blood vessel constricting drop may not work. It wouldn’t be able to get through the lens to treat your redness.Most eye drops work by constricting the blood vessels in the eyes. By making the blood vessels smaller, they reduce eye redness.Always use the drops as recommended, since overuse can cause more problems. For example, “rebound redness” happens with the eye drops make your blood vessels dilate more than usual. This makes your eyes look bloodshot.
Step Two
Consult your eye care professional. The best way to choose the right drops is to talk to you a specialist about the cause of your redness. Let him or her diagnose you and choose the best treatment method.If your redness is due to allergies, look for eye drops with antihistamines.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!
Step Three
Use ice, if available. Ice or freeze-packs are another common and effective way to soothe bloodshot eyes. They work the same way cold compresses do, by relieving swelling and reducing the amount of blood flow to the eyes.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.
Step Four
Place cucumber slices over your eyes. Just like cold compresses, refrigerated cucumber slices reduce redness and puffiness. The cucumber’s cold surface makes the eye’s blood vessels constrict, making them less visible. This also reduces the body’s natural response to allergens in the air.Make sure the cucumber is cold by keeping it in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing it.