Red eyes are usually the product of mild irritation that will quickly go away. If, however, this problem keeps happening, red eyes may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Guilford Eye Center, your local eye doctor, list the common causes of red eyes as well as their short- and long-term solutions for red eyes.
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Environmental Causes
At times, your eyes become irritated and turn red because of environmental factors, such as air pollution, dry air and cigarette smoke. If you’re outside, go inside, or move to a place where there are no allergens. While inside, apply a warm compress over your eyes for about 10 minutes to hasten the healing process. If a warm compress doesn’t help, apply a cool towel. However, you should be careful about exposing your eyes to extreme temperatures for a long time as they can make the irritation worse.
An Unbalanced Diet High in Processed Foods
If your puffy red eyes keep coming back, the irritation may have been caused by an unbalanced diet. Eating too much processed food, dairy products and fast food can cause inflammation in your eyes. Dehydration is also a possible cause. Include more food rich in omega-3, such as salmon, seeds and nuts, and drink about eight glasses of water every day to reduce inflammation.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Red eyes can also be a symptom of Computer Vision Syndrome that is caused by a combination of factors, including too much screen time and uncorrected vision problems. Apart from dry red eyes, those suffering from this condition also experience blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches. Taking a 20-second computer break every 20 minutes can help alleviate the strain on your eyes. A long-term solution would be to get eyeglasses specially designed for computer viewing.
If the red eyes keep coming back, we strongly recommend seeing your local eye doctor. Don’t have an eye doctor yet?
Guilford Eye Center offers a wide range of eye care services, including comprehensive eye exam services. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained optometrists, call us at (336) 387-6777, or fill out this form. We serve patients in Greensboro, NC.
