How to deal with red eye that is safe and recommended medically

Irritation, allergic reactions, and minor eye injuries can cause the small vessels in your eye to swell and make them appear red. Red eyes that appear painless are generally harmless, but you may feel an uncomfortable sensation while experiencing them. No need to worry, there are several ways to deal with red eye that you can do, from taking medication to doing simple home remedies.

How to get rid of red eye with medicines

The main step you can take as a way to treat pink eye is to use drugs. However, you cannot choose just any medicine for your condition.

The type of medication you need to use will depend on what caused your eye redness. In addition, several types of drugs must be used according to a doctor's prescription.

Here are some types of medications that are commonly given to treat red eye:

1. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are drugs that are often used to treat allergies. In some cases, red eye is often the result of an allergic reaction. Therefore, antihistamine drugs can be given to help relieve symptoms of red, itchy, and watery eyes.

Antihistamines work by blocking the work of histamine in the body. Histamine is a chemical that the body produces when exposed to allergens. This histamine causes allergic reactions such as itchy, red, and watery eyes.

Antihistamines are available in the form of eye drops and oral medications. The types of antihistamines that are often given for eye allergies are pheniramine, naphazoline, or olopatadine.

2. Decongestants

Most pink eye conditions are caused because the blood vessels in the sclera (the white part of the eye) dilate. This dilation of blood vessels usually occurs as an irritating reaction to the eye.

Well, decongestant eye drops are given to reduce the dilation of the eye vessels. This will reduce the redness of the eyes.

Sometimes, decongestant eye medications can be combined with antihistamine drugs to relieve allergic red eye. Of course, the use of these two drugs must be accompanied by consulting a doctor.

3. Artificial tears

Red eye is sometimes caused by dry eye syndrome, so it is accompanied by symptoms such as itching and burning. To overcome this, there are drops in the form of artificial tears.

Artificial tears or artificial tears intended to increase eye moisture and relieve dry eye symptoms. The drops contain a substance similar to your natural tears.

You can get artificial tear drops at pharmacies without the need to use a doctor's prescription. However, for more severe cases of dry eye, you may need artificial tears in the form of an ointment or gel with a higher level of moisture.

4. Antibiotics

Antibiotic drugs can be used if the red eye condition is caused by a bacterial infection, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, or scleritis. Bacterial infection can occur as a result of transmission from other infected people, or using contact lenses that have been contaminated with bacteria.

Antibiotic drugs for the eyes can be in the form of drops and ointments. According to the American Academy of Family Physician's website, several types of antibiotic drugs that can be used for bacterial infections of the eye are:

• Azithromycin
• Besifloxacin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Erythromycin
• Gentamicin

However, remember that giving antibiotics can only be done with a doctor's prescription. This means that you can't buy antibiotic eye drops or ointments without consulting your doctor first.

You also cannot use antibiotics to treat infections or red eye pain caused by viruses, fungi, or allergens. Antibiotic ophthalmic drugs are specific to bacterial infections.

How to deal with red eyes naturally without drugs

Apart from medication, you can also relieve eye redness in the following simple ways:

1. Compress the eyes with water or tea bags

Compresses can relieve redness and discomfort in your eyes. You only need to moisten a clean, soft cotton cloth with warm or cold water.

Squeeze the cloth until there is no more dripping water. Then, place it on your eyelid for a few minutes.

Apart from plain water, you can also use a tea bag to compress your eyes. Tea is an ingredient that you can use as a natural remedy for red eyes.

The caffeine and antioxidants in tea can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and irritation. The types of tea that you can try to use are green tea, black tea, and chamomile.

The method is very simple. Brew the tea first, then drain the tea bag and let it cool. Use a cool tea bag to compress your eyes for a few minutes. Avoid using tea bags that are still hot as this can aggravate your condition.

2. Maintain eye cleanliness

The next way to deal with pink eye without medication is to always keep your eyes clean.

Apart from dirt particles, there are various things around you that can cause red eyes. So that your eyes don't experience irritation or allergies, make sure that your eye hygiene is always maintained in the following ways:

• do not use eye makeup, or only use eye makeup that is hypoallergenic (does not cause allergies)
• always wash your hands before and after activities
• wash clothes, towels, and pillowcases regularly
• do not touch the eye area to avoid infection
• bathe twice a day or after doing activities outside the home, especially if the red eye is caused by allergies

3. Protect the eyes from triggers

The simplest way to deal with red eye is to avoid the trigger. Avoid various objects, places, and surroundings that can trigger eye irritation or allergies. Allergy triggers to watch out for are usually smoke, dust, and pollen.

However, it does not rule out that there are other triggers that make your eyes more sensitive. When you use contact lenses, then you must understand how to properly wear, remove and clean contact lenses. Do not use contact lenses while the eyes are still red, and do not use disposable contact lenses repeatedly.

How to deal with red eye naturally is more recommended because the risk of side effects is less for the health of your eyes. However, eye redness caused by an infection or disease of the eye usually needs to be treated with medication.

Be aware of other symptoms that appear if your eyes appear reddening. Immediately consult your doctor if your eyes feel itchy and painful, dry for a long time, have a yellow-green discharge, or your vision becomes blurry.