How to Treat Red Eyes

When trying to find the right method to treat red eyes it will depend on what caused it in the first place. However, the redness is usually not caused by serious causes, and it can be removed by home remedies. Here are some home tips that can help relieve redness and feel comfortable.

Warm compresses

Warm compresses can be prepared by soaking a towel or cloth in warm water and then squeezing it, and placing it on the eye for about ten minutes. As the heat helps increase blood flow to the eye, it also increases the secretion of oils on the eyelid, which increases eye hydration. It is worth noting that the area around the eyes is sensitive, so care must be taken that the temperature is good.

Cold compresses

Cold compresses narrow the blood vessels in the eye, which helps relieve redness and reduce fluid retention around the eyes. It can be prepared by dipping a clean cloth in a bowl filled with ice and water and then squeezing it, then placing it on closed eyes for 5-10 minutes. This should be repeated several times a day. Frozen pea or corn bags can also be used as compresses, since the shape of the bags adapts to the eye area, and it stays cool for much longer than a piece of cloth.

Use moisturizing drops

Most of the time drops are used to moisturize the eyes. Most of them consist of an oily substance that is very similar to real tears also known as artificial tears. It helps moisturize the eyes and therefore treat redness caused by dry eyes and inflammation.

Switch contact lenses

Chronic eye redness may be caused by the use of contact lenses or the solutions used to preserve them. The substances in some lenses can increase the possibility of infection or irritation. The components of the solution used to keep the contacts may not be compatible with the lenses used. So in that case you can consult doctor to identify the problem, replace contact lenses with suitable ones, or choose good quality lenses and preservation solutions.

Eat a balanced diet

Diet can affect the health of the eyes, and here are some tips related to food that is important for eye health.

1. Drink enough amounts of water. A person needs to drink eight glasses of water per day. This is done to maintain the balance of fluids in the body and its hydration. It can also prevent blood congestion in the eyes and the red appearance.
2. It is recommended to limit the intake of foods that cause inflammation. They may increase the redness of the eyes, such as fast food, dairy products, and processed foods. You should eat foods rich in omega- 3 fatty acids, which are usually found in fish such as salmon, and seeds and nuts such as flaxseeds. It is also possible to take nutritional supplements that contain omega-3.
3. Avoid irritants that cause eye redness. Examples of the most common irritants are;
4. Smoke
5. Dust
6. Pollen
7. Pet dander
8. Chlorine

Eye redness treatment

As mentioned earlier, the doctor will determine the treatment of red eyes based on the cause. According to the diagnosis, he will decide the appropriate treatment to reduce symptoms. The following is a statement of the treatment options used in each case:

Oral medications

In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat an eye infection caused by bacteria.

Eye drops

Most medications for eye diseases are in the form of drops, and these drops must be taken according to the doctor’s instructions. The following is a list of some eye drops prescribed to treat different conditions:

1. Anti-redness drops; it’s used to help reduce redness.
2. Decongestant eye drop, as the use of decongestants helps relieve eye redness caused by allergies, fatigue and irritation, examples of which are: Tetrahydrozoline or naphazoline.

Medically prescribed artificial tears

The doctor may prescribe artificial tears that help increase eye hydration and reduce irritation. Antibiotic drops or ointments are used to treat infections in the eye. Glaucoma drops, or what is known as glaucoma, which are used to reduce pressure in the eye.

Eye pads

In cases where the eyes are very irritated, the doctor may advise placing pads on the eye to protect it from light and speed up its recovery. Most of the time, the redness of the eye disappears on its own, although it may sometimes indicate the presence of a more serious eye condition or disease, so it is worth visiting an ophthalmologist to diagnose the condition and determine the appropriate treatment for it. Among the symptoms that require a review of the ophthalmologist are the following:

• Vision affected.
• Feeling of pain in the eyes.
• Symptoms persist for a week or more, or get worse.
• Suffering from sensitivity of the eyes to light.
• Suffering from a fever.
• The appearance of a lot of secretions from the eyes such as pus or mucus.