Eye Drops: Getting the Red Out
You had a late night—hardly–and today is your little sister’s wedding. You’ll be in countless photos and videos that will be preserved for a lifetime, but what you see staring back at you in the mirror will not do. You put pedal to the metal and swing in at the drugstore to grab some eye drops on the way to the ceremony.
Problem solved. Or is it?
Avoid Eye Drops that Just “Get the Red Out”
Though safe to use on occasion, like a special event or photo shoot, it is best to avoid using over-the-counter eye drops to improve eye appearance, or “get the red out.” Products that promise to remove redness from the white part of your eye use what are called “vasoconstrictors”—a type of decongestant—to do so. Here’s how it works:
- Your eyes look red, so you put drops in your eyes
- The drops begin to work to make the blood vessels in your eye contract
- The white part of your eyes appears brighter as the redness fades
- As the drops begin to wear off, the redness not only returns—it can even become worse
- Over time, you need to use more and more drops to get the same clear-eyed results
The result? Chronic redness as well as a potential dependency or addiction to the eye drops.
Artificial Tears for Dry Eyes
So what should you do if your eyes are red? The simple answer is to address the 
underlying problem. Get enough sleep, avoid eye strain by using the correct lenses when you work on your computer, and drink enough water during the day to stay hydrated.
Eye infections aside, most red eye is caused by a condition known as dry eye. Those in dry climates like here in Montana and Wyoming, may find that eye lubricants (also known as “artificial tears”) increase eye comfort by adding much-needed moisture not present in the air.
If you experience any of the following eye-related symptoms, eye lubricant drops may help to relieve your discomfort:
- Burning or stinging
- Pain and redness
- Excessive tearing
- Discharge
Like lotion, most eye lubricants are generally safe to use as needed because they contain elements of tears that are already present in your eyes. We recommend Refresh, Systane, Optive and Genteal.
One Last Note About Eye Drops
If you’re using eye drops more often than a few times a day or if you are allergic to preservatives of any kind, you may want to consider a brand that doesn’t have preservatives. We recommend Refresh Plus and Systane Preservative-Free. When in doubt, ask us which drops are safest for you, and be sure to bring up any questions or concerns you may have about eye redness or dryness during your next Bauer & Clausen Optometry eye appointment.
