The red eye illness can cause severe pain. The illness is usually characterized by a yellow discharge and difficulty in opening the affected eye. When you’re handling the red eye management task, you’ll be required to take several essential steps. The most important thing to do is evaluate whether or not your situation is severe.
Causes of Red Eye
There are several factors that lead to this illness such as:
- Bacterial infection
- Viral infection
- Allergies
- Irritants
- Foreign body
- Glaucoma
- Corneal abrasion
- Chemical burn
- Keratitis
- Symptoms of Red Eye
For mild cases, red eyes disappear within a few days. However, successful red eye management demands that you call your doctor for symptoms that last past this duration. They include:
- Redness of the eyes
- Burning sensation
- Stings
- Continuous discharge
- Inflammation
- Vision loss
- Sneezing
- Severe pain
Treatment and Management of Red Eye
Since there are numerous causes, treatment options vary as well. The doctor will conduct several tests in order to decide the best solution for your case. The common are:
- Artificial tears
- Ocular decongestants
- Cold compresses
- Red eye management can only be effective when necessary precautions are observed. Consider the following points:
- Always take medication as per doctor’s directions. Never alter dosages as this can irritate the eye thus causing further damage.
- Refrain from touching the affected eye. Self-control is not an option here so you must practice it in order to enjoy swift recovery.
- Enhance blood flow. This can be done by taking a clean towel, dampening it with warm water and then compressing it on the affected eye. Do this 2 or 3 times a day.
- Get sufficient sleep. During red eye management, you’ll need to give the affected eye enough rest for quick recovery.
- Clean the discharge frequently. It’s advisable to have a mirror at hand when removing the discharge from the affected eye.
- Wash hands using water and soap frequently. You can easily spread germs to the eyes since you’ll probably touch a number of things throughout the day.
Explain all details and concerns to your doctor.
Important Tips:
- Despite the fact that red eye is painful and irritating, avoid rubbing the eye. This act will cause further infection to the eye which consequently hinders recovery. The condition will worsen.
- Dipping the eye in water worsens the condition. Contrary to popular perception, red eye management does not entail using running/ plenty of water to heal the illness.
- Red eye is a highly contagious disease. This is why you need to take a sick leave immediately you’re infected to eliminate the chances of passing it on to schoolmates or co-workers.
- Protect your eyes. Sunglasses and other eyewear protect the eyes from harmful UV rays, foreign objects and even injuries.
- Adopt a healthier lifestyle. Observe a well-balanced diet that contains plenty of vitamins so that you can be able to enhance overall eye health.