How to Get Rid of Red Eyes: Home Remedies and Health Tips

Date: Oct-21-2016 Red eye means other people see redness in the eye. It does not mean the person's vision is turning red. Red eye without pain has many common causes that are not too serious. It can often be prevented or eased with home care.

Other terms for red eye, include "pink eye" and "bloodshot eyes."

If there is pain in the eye, this could be a serious problem. If the eye is more itchy, or there is a feeling of dry scratchiness, it is likely to be less serious.

An eye with a sharp, aching, or throbbing pain, or a pain that gets worse in response to light, needs to be seen by a doctor straight away.

Other reasons to see a doctor are if eyesight changes or there are other symptoms. Symptoms to look out for include headache, sensitivity to light, feeling sick, or vomiting.

Contents of this article:

What is red eye?

What is conjunctivitis?

Home remedies for conjunctivitis

Other common causes of red eye

Serious problems that may cause red eye

What is red eye?

A bloodshot red eye may look slightly different in each case.

Red eye usually means that the whites of the eyes appear bloodshot. This happens because of changes to the blood vessels that supply the membrane covering the front of the eye.

The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the eyelids. The blood vessels of this membrane can dilate, causing the eyes to appear reddened. This is usually caused by:

Infection, for example with bacteria

Allergic reaction

Inflammation

Rarer problems can also cause the red eye, such as an increase in pressure inside the eye.

In most cases, the cause is conjunctivitis.

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis means inflammation of the surface of the eye, and it has several different causes.

If bacteria or viruses have caused conjunctivitis, there is often a discharge. This discharge will often be stickier in cases involving bacteria.

Infectious conjunctivitis can be associated with the common cold or flu. This red eye usually spreads quickly to affect both eyes.

Noninfectious conjunctivitis may be caused by an allergy. Some allergies affecting the eyes are seasonal. A pollen allergy can cause red eye, as can allergies to animals.

Other cases of conjunctivitis red eye can be caused by irritation. This can be either physical irritation, perhaps caused by an object in the eye, or chemical irritation.

If a chemical has splashed into the eye, the immediate treatment is to bathe it with water. This can have the side effect of causing red eye since the whole eye may be mildly affected.

Conjunctivitis treatment

Most cases of conjunctivitis clear up without any medical help.

Antibacterial eye drops may be prescribed by a doctor if needed. A viral cause of red eye cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Allergies may be helped by drugs. Some tablet and eye drop drugs for allergies are available over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

Home remedies for conjunctivitis

Red eye caused by conjunctivitis may cause crusting or discharge, especially if it is infectious. This may be managed at home by:

Antibacterial eye drops or simple eye drops may be used to treat conjunctivitis and red eye.

Bathing the eye using plain, warm water applied with clean cotton wool

Practicing good hygiene, for example by washing hands regularly and not sharing towels

Not wearing contact lenses until the red eye clears

Avoiding eye make up

Red eye may be soothed by regularly applying a compress over the eyelid. This involves soaking clean cotton wool or cloth in warm or cold water and then squeezing it out.

People with allergies may be able to avoid the triggers of their red eye. Other tips include:

Keeping clothes washed regularly

Changing pillowcases

Bathing or showering before bed

Simple eye drops available from the pharmacy can help to wash allergens away from the eyes. These are tear replacement drops or artificial tears.

Other common causes of red eye

Aside from conjunctivitis, a number of other common conditions may cause red eyes. The below examples do not cause a red eye in the same way as conjunctivitis. The surface of the eye is not always reddened, but the wider eye area may appear red.

Examples include:

Blepharitis - marked by itching, redness, flaking, and crusting on the edge of the eyelids. This is a common form of inflammation often caused by bacteria or problems with glands under the eyelids.

Stye - this is a red bump in the eyelid usually caused by bacterial infection. Styes are sometimes linked to blepharitis.

Chalazion - another bump that tends to be further back from the edge of the eyelid than a stye. It is not caused by bacteria but by a gland in the eyelid becoming blocked.

The treatments and home care for these problems affecting the eyelids are similar to those for conjunctivitis. Bathing should be more regular, though.

Styes and chalazia should not be squeezed. They may go away after home treatment but can also be treated by doctors if they last.

A family doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointment or steroid injection. An eye specialist may surgically remove large bumps that do not heal or that obstruct vision.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage means a broken blood vessel immediately beneath the surface of the eye. It is a harmless condition that usually goes away within a week or two. The small bleed is visibly bright red in the white of the eye.

Dry eyes are a common problem resulting from the eyes producing fewer tears, or greater loss of the watery substance from the eye. Red eye can then occur, and artificial tears may help.

If the dry eyes are associated with the work environment or using computer screens, changes may also help. Using protective glasses in a dusty environment or taking breaks from screen work are examples.

Contact lenses may cause red eye when worn for long periods. Wearers can cut down the amount of time they are left in to avoid the problem. Using artificial tears may also help.

Serious problems that may cause red eye

Some reasons for red eye are more serious, although serious medical problems are less common.

Some examples of more serious red eye problems for a doctor's attention include:

If eye health is in doubt, always seek medical attention.

Corneal scratch or abrasion - damage to the surface of the eye is not a serious problem itself, but needs medical attention to prevent the damage getting worse. Untreated damage can lead to infection or ulcers.

Uveitis - inflammation that affects the inside of the eye and particularly the part that gives the eye its color. The problem can affect vision and needs drug treatment with the help of an eye doctor.

Glaucoma - a serious condition that can damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. It is caused by pressure building up inside the eye. There are not always symptoms leading up to it, but if there are, they can include redness along with vision changes, eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Glaucoma needs to be managed by a specialist eye doctor.

If any red eye problem also causes pain in the eye, makes it sensitive to light, or comes with more general symptoms, quick medical attention is important.

Written by Markus MacGill

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.