How to Treat Eye Redness
Red eyes are caused by the enlarged and irritated blood vessels in the white portion of your eyes. They can be caused by a number of things, and as such, can be resolved using a number of techniques as well. However, if you are suffering from an infection like pinkeye, it’s best you take your eyes to be treated by an ophthalmologist.
Cold Compress
Applying cold compress to enlarged blood vessels is one way to encourage to retract them and even reduce fluid retention. To do this, wash your hands thoroughly before starting. Get some ice-cold water and soak a clean washcloth in it, wringing it out to remove excess water. Close one eye and apply the cold washcloth over it, exerting a mild force on it. Let it stay for five to ten minutes a few times a day. Observing cleanliness while applying a cold compress is important as not to introduce more irritants or infectious agents in your eyes.
Artificial Tears
Redness of the eyes can also be caused by dryness in the eyes following sleep. Artificial tears, also known as lubricant eye drops help solve that problem. They are over the counter and you have a variety of brands that you can choose from. Apply artificial tears every hour for the first six hours since you woke up, and have four more applications throughout the rest of the day. Artificial tears are generally harmless, so you can use them a little more than that if your eyes do have a tendency of drying out.
Antihistamine or Vasoconstrictors
Eye redness can also be caused by allergies, and many eye drops are formulated to ease allergy-related red eyes. Most of these brands contain both antihistamine and vasoconstrictors by constricting the small blood vessels in your eye. However, while these eye drops are now easily obtained over the counter, ophthalmologists recommend using eye drops on a short-term basis. Overuse or abuse of vasoconstrictors can actually cause eye redness and eye sensitivity.
If these suggested methods do not work within the first two days since you’ve noticed your eye redness, it’s best to consult with an ophthalmologist to determine the cause of your eye redness.