Eye redness or bloodshot eyes occurs if the blood vessels on the surface of the eyes become irritated and enlarged. Various contributing factors lead to eye redness including foreign objects in the eye, allergies as well as eye injuries.
Some forms of eye infection such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis can also cause eye reddening. In most instances of eye redness, it can be managed at home but if the vision is affected or suffering from pain, it is best to seek medical care.
Measures to lessen eye redness
- Thoroughly wash hands using soap and warm water. If the eyes are reddened and irritated, the individual is likely to touch or rub them instinctively. Due to this, it is important to wash hands regularly throughout the day. This is beneficial if the individual has an eye infection that easily spreads.
- Encourage the individual to lie down in a comfortable area.
- Apply a cool compress over the affected eye/eyes. In case the compress is too cold, you can wrap it with a towel or cloth.
- The individual should lie down with the compress applied over the eye between 5-10 minutes.
These measures should be repeated throughout the day if the eyes become irritated or uncomfortable.
Eye drops that are available over-the-counter can be used to lessen eye redness. Some of these drops are specifically designed for this purpose. The individual should avoid rubbing or scratching the eyes since this will only worsen the redness and contribute to the spread of the infection.
In case the eye is infected, the individual should not use contact lenses or apply any eye makeup until the infection has fully cleared.