How Do Redness-Relieving Eye Drops Work?

There are many reasons for red, or bloodshot, eyes. From too little sleep to irritation or infection, the underlying causes are many. There are many eye drops on the market that can effectively reduce the discoloration.  

But how do they work? And are they safe? The following answers your FAQs…

How do Redness-Relieving Eye Drops Work and Other FAQs

• What are redness-relieving eye drops?
• How do redness-relieving eye drops work?
• Are redness-relieving eye drops safe to use? 

What are redness-relieving eye drops?

Red, or bloodshot, eyes are caused by the expansion of the tiny blood vessels in the eyes. Because the sclera of the eye is white, the redness of swollen blood vessels becomes very noticeable. Redness-relieving eye drops contain a decongestant that reduces this swelling—albeit temporarily.

How do redness-relieving eye drops work?

The decongestant in redness-relieving eye drops works to reduce the size of the blood vessels. It takes effect within just a few minutes, hence why they’re so popular.

Tetrahydrozoline is the most commonly found decongestant that’s used. But while it undoubtedly works, it’s not a permanent solution. The redness often returns in a few hours—and it can be worse than before. The term for this is “rebound redness”.

There’s a newer type of redness-relieving eye drop on the market—Lumify. These contain an alternative ingredient, called brimonidine, that works in a different way to reduce the size of the red blood vessels.

Both types of redness-relieving eye drops temporarily cause the tiny blood vessels within the eyes to constrict, thus making the eyes whiter.

• Tetrahydrozoline works by telling the receptors in the arteries of the eye (the vessels that deliver oxygenated blood) to constrict. This reduces the flow of blood through the tiny blood vessels as well, so they also constrict.
• Brimonidine works on controlling the other side of the blood flow. It targets the receptors within the veins of the eye (the vessels that transport the deoxygenated blood away), causing them to constrict. Again, this has the same constricting effect on the tiny vessels within the eye as well.

Are redness-relieving eye drops safe to use?

Because, in essence, redness-relieving eye drops work by reducing the flow of blood to the eye, they should never be used to excess. Cases of rebound redness occur because the blood vessels want to make up for this reduction in blood delivery (and the oxygen and nutrients it brings), so pump even harder. 

Rebound redness can get worse over time with long-term use, which is why they should only be used sparingly and temporarily. At the very most, they should never be used for more than 72 hours.

People with glaucoma—and, in particular, narrow-angle glaucoma—should never use them. Doing so runs a very real risk of worsening the problem and creating a medical emergency.

But even in healthy eyes, if you find yourself using redness-relieving eye drops regularly then it’s important to understand why you need them. It’s not normal to have frequently bloodshot eyes and this could be a symptom of underlying disease.

See your eye doctor if:

• You regularly have very red eyes.
• The redness is accompanied by pain or irritation.
• There’s also a discharge.
• The eye or eyes suddenly become bloodshot or red.
• There’s an injury to the eye or surrounding area.
• You also have any vision changes, such as blurring, the sudden appearance of floaters, or a   reduction in your field of sight.

Get the Best Relief for Chronic Red Eyes at the West Boca Eye Center

While redness-relieving eye drops can be an effective temporary solution, nothing beats treating the underlying cause. This might be an allergy, hay fever, a condition called dry eye, or something else, but they all have one common requirement—you need a diagnosis and action to treat the root cause for a long-term solution.

The WBEC specializes in such conditions, providing the ultimate diagnostic and treatment solutions. 

Visit https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/ for more information and contact us today to book a consultation.

There are many reasons for red, or bloodshot, eyes. From too little sleep to irritation or infection, the underlying causes are many. There are many eye drops on the market that can effectively reduce the discoloration.