1. Artificial Tears
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Suggested Use: Try inserting artificial tears every hour for the first six hours, then four times per day for the rest of the week.
2. Cold Compresses
If you can't get to the pharmacy, cold compresses will help to constrict the blood vessels in your eyes. To make a cold compress, fill a bowl with ice and water. Submerge a clean washcloth into the bowl, then wring out the excess water. (Small bags of frozen peas or corn work well for this purpose as well, as they conform to the eye area and maintain a cold temperature.) Cold compresses will not only help the redness go away but will also help reduce fluid retention around the eyes after sleeping.Suggested Use: Apply cold compresses to closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes, a few times per day.
3. Antihistamine / Vasoconstrictors
If your eyes are red, but are also tearing and itchy, you could have eye allergies. If you can't make it in to see your eye doctor right away, you may want to try an over-the-counter antihistamine vasoconstrictor combination eye drop. After years of being available only by prescription, these eye drops are now available over the counter. Available under the names Opcon-A or Naphon-A, they contain both an antihistamine to control itching and a vasoconstrictor to shrink swollen blood vessels to reduce redness.Suggested Use: These medicines are short-acting, so they must be taken four times per day or more, and should not be used long term. If your condition does not improve or worsens, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
4. Vasoconstrictors
Vasoconstrictors are commonly referred to as "get the red out" eye drops, as they shrink the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva. Vasoconstrictors are not popular with eye doctors. Because when used for too long, they can create "rebound redness." When the drops wear off, the blood vessels may dilate even larger than they were before, causing the eyes to appear bloodshot.Suggested Use: Apply only twice daily, once in the morning and once before bedtime. Vasoconstrictors reduce redness and may be used safely for a couple of weeks. If you find yourself using them every morning, seek the advice of an eye doctor.
Source: Catania, Louis J. "Primary Care of the Anterior Segment," 2nd edition, Copyright 1995. Appleton & Lange. Pp 72-74.
