Content

• Steps
• Advice
• What you need

Red-eye pain, officially known as conjunctivitis, is a medical condition that causes eye irritation due to allergies or infections. Your body can heal red eye pain on its own, but you can also take steps to help speed up the healing process, depending on the cause of your red eye pain. Here are a few things you can learn to get rid of red eye pain quickly.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Basics of Red Eye Pain

1. 

   Determine the cause of your red eye pain. Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and allergies. Usually, red-eye pain causes the eyes to become red, watery, and itchy, but other symptoms of red eye pain will vary depending on the cause.
   • The virus can attack one or both eyes, and can make the patient's eye sensitive to light. Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious and difficult to treat. The illness usually takes time to go away on its own, and that can last from one to three weeks. The best way to treat viral conjunctivitis is to prevent complications that may arise.
   • Bacterial conjunctivitis causes a discharge of fluid in the eye, usually yellow or green in color, and usually at the base of the eye. In severe cases, the mucus will hold the eyelids together. It can appear in one eye or both eyes, and bacterial conjunctivitis is usually contagious. To be able to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, you should see your doctor. You can minimize symptoms with home remedies, but antibiotics shorten the incubation period.
   • Allergic conjunctivitis is often accompanied by other allergic symptoms, including a stuffy and runny nose, and both eyes will become infected. This form of conjunctivitis will not spread. Allergic conjunctivitis can often be treated at home, but patients with severe allergic symptoms need medical treatment to be able to heal quickly.

2. 

   
   
   Need to know when to see a doctor. It's not a bad idea to see a doctor if you have red eye pain as your doctor will give you helpful advice on what to do. See a doctor if your red eye pain is accompanied by other serious symptoms.
   • See your doctor if you experience moderate or severe eye pain or if your vision is impaired and the symptoms do not improve after you have wiped off any mucus.
   • If red eye pain makes your eyes dark or turn dark red, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible.
   • See your doctor right away if you suspect that you have a serious form of viral conjunctivitis, such as caused by the herpes simplex virus, or if you have been immunocompromised due to HIV infection or experience. certain cancer treatment.
   • See your doctor if the antibiotic does not improve bacterial conjunctivitis after 24 hours.
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Part 2 of 3: Home Conjunctivitis Treatment

1. 

   
   
   Use allergy medicine. If you have mild allergic conjunctivitis, the common allergy medicine can help you get rid of your symptoms within hours to days. If your symptoms don't go away quickly, you may have a bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
   • Use an antihistamine. The body reacts to allergens by producing a chemical called histamine, which is responsible for red eye pain and other allergic symptoms. Antihistamines will reduce or completely block the amount of histamine produced by the body, thereby helping to prevent the symptoms of red eye pain.
   • Use decongestants. While a decongestant won't help you fight allergens, it will help you manage an infection of your eye tissue.

2. 

   
   
   Clean the affected eye area regularly. Whenever your eyes start to drain, wipe them clean to prevent bacteria that can cause pus in your eyes.
   • Wipe your eyes starting from the innermost eye socket, right next to your nose. Gently wipe the entire eye in a gradual direction toward the outer corner of the eye. This will safely remove the mucus from the tear duct and from your eyes.
   • Wash hands before and after wiping eyes.
   • Wipe the eyes with a clean paper surface to prevent the fluid from getting back into the eye.
   • Immediately throw away disposable tissue or eye towels. Immediately after using the washcloth in the laundry basket.

3. 

   Use over-the-counter eye drops. "Artificial tears" can help ease symptoms and help wash your eyes.
   • Most common eye drops are mild brine-based lubricants that are used to replace tears. Eye drops can relieve dry eyes caused by red eye pain, and they can also help wash away dirt that may prolong symptoms of viral, bacterial, or allergic conjunctivitis.
   • Some over-the-counter eye drops also contain antihistamines that are effective in treating allergic conjunctivitis.

4. 

   Use a cold compress or a warm compress. Soak a soft, clean, dirt-free cloth in water. Wring the towel to remove excess water, close your eyes, and gently press the towel against your eyes.
   • A cold compress is great for allergic conjunctivitis, but a warm compress will make you feel more comfortable and reduce the swelling associated with viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.
   • Keep in mind that a warm compress may increase the risk of infecting the other eye, so change the gauze after each use and use different gauze pads for each eye.

5. 

   Remove contact lenses. If you use contact lenses, you may need to remove them for red eye pain. Contact lenses can irritate the eyes, worsen complications, and can trap conjunctivitis bacteria in the eye.
   • Throw out disposable contact lenses if you use them while you have bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
   • It is recommended that you thoroughly clean reusable contact lenses before reusing them.

6. 

   Prevent infection. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis is very contagious, and once you get better, you can still re-infect if the disease has spread to other members of your family.
   • Do not touch your eyes with your hands.If you accidentally touched your eyes or face with your hands, wash your hands promptly afterwards. In addition, you should also wash your hands after using eye medicine.
   • Change clean towels every day. During the infection, you should change the pillowcase every day.
   • Do not let others share objects that have touched your eyes. These items include eye drops, towels, bed sheets, eye cosmetics, contact lenses, contact lens solution or glass case, or handkerchiefs.
   • Do not use cosmetics on your eyes until you are completely cured as these can re-infect you. If you have ever used any cosmetic product for red eye pain, throw it out.
   • Please miss school or work for a few days. Most people with viral conjunctivitis can return to school or work in 3 to 5 days, once symptoms improve. Most people with bacterial conjunctivitis can go to school or work after symptoms disappear or 24 hours after using antibiotics to treat the illness.
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Part 3 of 3: Use of Prescription Drugs

1. 

   Use prescription eye drops. Although common eye drops can be effective for someone with red eye, prescription eye drops are stronger and can help you get better faster.
   • Treat bacterial conjunctivitis with antibiotic eye drops. Antibiotic eye drops are a topical treatment that attacks the bacteria directly. The medication should help get rid of the infection after a few days, however, you should notice an improvement after the first 24 hours. Follow your doctor's orders when using these medications.
   • Treat allergic conjunctivitis with antihistamine or steroid eye drops. Although you can find some over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops, stronger ones are only available with a prescription from your doctor. Sometimes serious allergic conditions can be treated with steroid eye drops.

2. 

   Use an antibiotic eye cream. Antibiotic eye drops are easier to use than eye drops, especially when used in children.
   • Remember that the eye cream will blur your vision 20 minutes after use, but the person's vision will be restored after this time.
   • Bacterial conjunctivitis should go away after a few days with this treatment.

3. 

   Learn about antivirals. If your doctor suspects that your viral conjunctivitis is caused by the herpes simplex viruses, he or she may decide to give you antiviral medications.
   • Antiviral medication may also be a suitable option for you if you have ever had health problems that weaken your immune system.
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Advice

• After starting antibiotic treatment, you should stay indoors for at least 24 hours. Red-eye pain is contagious and you need to minimize the risk of infection.
• If you have red eyes, don't rub your eyes as this can cause swelling, peeling skin and dark circles on the eyes.

What you need

• Allergic drugs do not need a prescription
• Conventional eye drops
• Soft towels, paper towels, or disposable eye wipes
• Prescription eye drops
• Prescription eye medication
• Antiviral drugs