Red Eye Treatment Options From an Optometrist

Red eye treatment is often a top concern for patients seeking help from an optometrist. This common eye condition is often treatable at home. However, red eye can be a sign of something more serious that requires the help of an eye doctor. Here we look closer at this condition, its causes, and when to seek red eye treatment.

What is red eye?

Red eye is an umbrella term for varying degrees of red, irritated, or bloodshot eyes. Red eye happens when blood vessels under the eye surface become inflamed, typically reacting to an irritant in the eye. This condition can range from mild to severe and be over quickly or last for days. Other symptoms accompanying red eye may include discharge, swelling, pain, itching, and vision changes.

Why it occurs

Red eye can result from a wide range of issues. For example, fatigue, wearing contacts too long, and eye injuries are common causes of red eye. In addition, infections, underlying conditions, debris, or foreign bodies in the eye can also lead to the condition. It is important to pinpoint the cause because that will usually determine how to treat it. In addition, the cause will help determine whether it can be treated at home or calls for a visit to an eye care professional.

Red eye treatment at home

Patients can do a few things at home to help relieve red eye. Other-the-counter products, such as eye drops, can help alleviate symptoms. Additional suggestions include gently washing or massaging the eyelids or applying cold compresses to the eyes while closed. Sometimes a break from eyewear or giving the eyes a rest is enough to provide relief.

When to see an eye care professional for red eye

Though red eye often resolves on its own or with home care suggestions like the ones above, patients need to know when to see an eye care professional, such as an optometrist, for this condition. According to The Cleveland Clinic, people should see an eye care professional immediately if they have red eye in combination with eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or swelling. Other indications that a patient should see an optometrist include:

• Red eye and symptoms lasting more than a week
• Symptoms worsen instead of improve
• Presence of pus from the eyes that dries into crusts.
• A fever along with eye discomfort
• Excessive wateriness of the eyes
• Changes in vision
• Double vision

These can be signs of serious conditions an eye care professional must treat. For example, glaucoma, a condition where pressure building inside the eye can damage the optic nerve, may lead to blindness if not treated. Uveitis, inflammation affecting the inner eye, is another condition that affects vision and requires medical attention. In addition, scratches or abrasions to the eye may require treatment to prevent infection.

How an optometrist treats red eye

Because there can be many causes of it, red eye treatment will vary from patient to patient. Optometrists are skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions and have special equipment for examining the eyes and checking for signs of damage or disease. The optometrist will examine the eyes and run a series of tests. In addition, they will conduct a thorough exam, ask detailed questions about their symptoms, and consider any other relevant information, such as health history and medications.

Depending on what they find, the optometrist will either recommend a course of treatment or refer the patient to an ophthalmologist. An optometrist acts as a primary care provider for the eyes, treating and managing certain conditions and infections. Depending on the patient, the optometrist may recommend medication, changes to eyewear, lifestyle adjustments, or a combination of these interventions. However, for more serious eye conditions, the optometrist is likely to refer the patient to a medical doctor known as an ophthalmologist who handles serious eye diseases and surgical intervention.

When to see an eye care professional for red eye treatment

Red eye typically resolves on its own or with home care or over-the-counter products. However, if the red eye does not improve, worsens, or is accompanied by other troubling symptoms, it may be time to see an optometrist. Delaying getting a diagnosis and the needed medical care can have serious consequences for your health and the health of your eyes. Let us help identify what is causing your red eye and see that you get the right treatment.

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