Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your eyes were red? Whether you watch TV or stare at a computer screen for too long, or suffer from allergies, red eye can be painful and ruin your appearance. Fortunately, there are many ways to relieve irritation and swelling of the eyes. Red eyes can be accompanied by dry eyes, so some treatment options will address both. Other problems such as infection, inflammation, ocular injury, or a foreign body can also cause pink eye. When facing this problem, you should seek medical help.
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Part 1 of 2: Overcoming Red Eyes
Step 1. Get to know eye drops more deeply
There are various types of eye drops, and the use of each is recommended for different conditions. For example, if your eyes are red and you wear contact lenses, eye drops that narrow the blood vessels may not be suitable, because they will not be able to penetrate the contact lens to treat it.
- Most eye drops work by narrowing the blood vessels in the eye. By narrowing the blood vessels in the eye, the drug will treat redness in the eye. However, in the end, if you do not continue to use this drug, your eyes will turn red because of dependence on the active ingredients in the drug.
- Preservative-free eye drops are the most natural choice for your eyes. These eye drops are sold in single-use packaging so they are very hygienic.
Step 2. Consult an ophthalmologist
The best way to determine the most appropriate eye medication is to consult an eye specialist for red eyes. Let the doctor diagnose your disease and choose the best treatment.
- If red eyes are caused by allergies, look for eye drops that contain antihistamines. Antihistamines can also cause dry/red eyes, so use these eye drops with artificial tears.
- If you have an infection, see your doctor for a prescription for eye drops that contain antibiotics.
- Be careful about using antibacterial eye drops. Many people show allergic reactions to the preservatives contained in them. You might actually make your eye condition worse!
Step 3. Apply a cold compress to your eye
Cold water will reduce the swelling that causes red eyes, as well as soothe your irritated eyes. You can sprinkle some cold water on your face.
The most common cause of pink eye is allergies. The body will release histamine which makes the eyes dry, and blood vessels dilate. Cold water will block blood flow to the eye and partially treat the inflammation that occurs
Step 4. Use ice or an ice pack
Ice is a common and effective way to soothe red eyes. Ice and ice packs have the same properties as cold compresses, which reduce swelling and block blood flow to the eye.
- If you don't have an ice pack, place a few ice cubes in a clean washcloth. Put it on your eyes for 4-5 minutes.
- When using very cold objects such as ice or ice packs, always protect your eyes with a clean cheesecloth, to prevent frostbite.
Step 5. Allow the ruptured blood vessel to heal on its own
If you sneeze or cough too hard, or even rub your eyes too hard, the vessels in your eye can burst. Doctors call this a "subconjunctival hemorrhage". In most cases, only one of your eyes will turn red, and you won't feel any pain. The ruptured blood vessel will heal on its own within a few days to two weeks.
- This condition can also occur if you take blood-thinning medications, lift heavy objects, or do activities that increase pressure in your head. However, it can also be caused by abnormalities in the blood. So, if this happens frequently, visit your eye doctor. Blood tests may also be needed.
- See a doctor if you have pain, or if you have a chronic illness such as diabetes.
Step 6. See a doctor if your eyes are red from an infection
Red eye from infection (also known as conjunctivitis) will make your eye appear pink or red. See a doctor right away if you have conjunctivitis. The doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or even oral tablets, depending on the cause. Red eye like this can be contagious, so wash your hands with antibacterial soap, clean your contact lenses well, and don't rub your eyes. To make sure you have this disease, check the following:
- Only one of your eyes is dry and reddened, or at least starting in one eye before spreading to the other a few days later.
- You have recently had an illness due to a viral or bacterial infection (such as an ear infection, fever or flu).
- You have been in close contact with a person who suffers from pink eye.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Red Eyes
Step 1. Determine the cause of the red eye
Visit an ophthalmologist to find out what he thinks about the cause of your red and irritated eyes. Be prepared to answer some of the following questions to help her make the right diagnosis:
- Is this a chronic problem or is it your first time experiencing this?
- Are you experiencing any symptoms other than pink eye?
- How long have you been experiencing this?
- What medicines do you take? Mention includes all types of vitamins and supplements.
- Do you drink alcohol or use illegal drugs?
- Do you suffer from a chronic disease?
- What are you allergic to?
- Have you been feeling stressed lately?
- Are you getting enough sleep?
- Are you eating less, or are you feeling dehydrated?
Step 2. Reduce the time you spend in front of a computer screen or other electronic devices
Research shows that the eye blink rate decreases by up to 10 times when we stare at a screen. Blinking is very important for eye health, because it can keep your eyes moist. Staring at the screens of laptops, TVs, and other electronic devices can cause your eyes to dry out and turn red. If you have to stare at a screen for long periods of time, take the following precautions:
- Remind yourself consciously to blink.
- Follow the 20-20 recommendation: every 20 minutes, take a break, keep your eyes off the screen and do something else for 20 minutes. Let your eyes rest.
- Lower the brightness level on your screen.
- Leave a distance of 50-100 cm between your eyes and the screen.
Step 3. Customize the screen of your electronic device
If your job requires you to use a computer or watch TV, you may not be able to reduce the time you spend staring at screens. However, you can still make minor adjustments to reduce the strain on your eyes.
- Place the screen so that it is at eye level. Avoid looking down or looking up at the screen.
- Leave a distance of 50-100 cm between your eyes and the screen.
- Wear glasses designed to reduce eye strain from the light emitted by the screen. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, next time you replace them, ask your ophthalmologist for advice on whether the time you spend in front of a screen requires anti-radiation protection. Consider wearing anti-radiation goggles or those equipped with protective glass to reduce the strain on your eyes.
Step 4. Avoid smoking
Irritants such as smoke can irritate your eyes and cause them to turn red. Smoking also increases your risk for a variety of eye diseases including cataracts, macular degeneration, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome. Smoking during pregnancy can also cause eye disease in the fetus.
If you are unwilling or unable to quit smoking, be sure to smoke outside so that your home is smoke-free. You can also purchase an air purifier to keep your home smoke free if you smoke indoors
Step 5. Limit alcohol intake
Drinking too much alcohol will dehydrate your body. You will lose nutrients that are important in the production of tears due to increased urination. The combination of dehydration and loss of these nutrients will cause the eyes to become dry and red.
- Use a drink calculator to determine if you've been drinking more alcohol than you should.
- When drinking alcohol, drink plenty of water to meet your body's fluid needs. You need enough water to keep your body and eyes moist.
Step 6. Eat a balanced diet
The food you eat can affect the health of your eyes as well as other organs in your body. Eat a balanced diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseed, nuts, etc.) to maintain eye health and prevent inflammation from occurring.
- Vitamins C, E, and zinc can prevent eye problems caused by age. You can find this vitamin in bell peppers, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, oranges, yellow melon, tomatoes, raspberries, celery, and spinach.
- Vitamins B2 and B6 can reduce eye disease due to aging and help prevent cataracts. Eat foods such as eggs, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, sunflower seeds, and meats such as tuna, liver, and turkey.
- Lutein and zeaxanthin can protect the eyes from damaging rays. To add these nutrients to your diet, eat legumes, chickpeas, orange peppers, corn, limes, oranges, mangoes, eggs, and dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and spinach.
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day.
Step 7. Get enough sleep
Although sleep deprivation is a common cause of pink eye, sleep is often overlooked. Sleep will restore your entire body, including your eyes. You should sleep 7-8 hours every night. Lack of sleep can make your eyes dry and irritated, and also cause problems like eye twitching and bags under the eyes.
Another benefit of sleep is that it gives white blood cells time to fight off pathogens
Step 8. Take control of your allergies
Allergies are a common cause of dry, red, and irritated eyes. Seasonal allergies usually strike in early spring, when a lot of flower pollen is flying. Irritation is caused by histamine that the body releases to deal with allergies. Buy over-the-counter antihistamines to treat your allergies, and drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
You may also be allergic to pet dander. If your eyes are dry, itchy, or swollen when you are around certain animals, avoid them. You can also visit a doctor to get an injection of the fur allergy medication you are experiencing
Tips
- Tell your doctor if you have any allergies or if the treatments don't relieve red eye.
- Record the time when symptoms occur. This will help your doctor determine whether the cause of your pink eye is related to allergies or the immune system.
- Try not to bring electronic devices to your eyes, and consult an ophthalmologist.
