Mild eye discomfort, whether from eyestrain, allergies or other causes, can be soothed with eyedrops. Three types of eyedrops are available without a prescription:
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Decongestive eyedrops. Decongestive eyedrops, also called vasoconstrictors, whiten your eyes by shrinking the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva. One or two drops in your eye can relieve redness for several hours and often soothe irritation. Improvement should be prompt - if not, see an eye doctor.
Allergy eyedrops. Some decongestive eyedrops include an antihistamine that provides added relief from seasonal allergies such a hay fever. Look for the word allergy on the label. Use eyedrops for allergies no more than two or three times a day, unless your doctor gives you other instructions.
Lubricating eyedrops. Lubricating eyedrops, also called artificial tears, contain substances that retain water much like your own tears do. One or two drops of artificial tears can soothe irritated or dry eyes, providing lubrication and comfort. You can use these drops as often as needed.
Words of caution
Eyedrops may contain medicines or chemical preservatives that can cause an allergic reaction. If your eyes or eyelids become even more red, itchy or swollen after you begin using eyedrops, stop using the drops and talk to your eye doctor.
Always use only the recommended dosage of eyedrops. Using some eyedrops more frequently can lead to problems. For example, if you use decongestive eyedrops too often, the redness and irritation may increase after the drops wear off.
If you're at risk of angle-closure glaucoma, don't use eyedrops that contain antihistamines. They can provoke a glaucoma attack.
Putting in eyedrops
To administer eyedrops, tilt your head back and gently pull your lower lid away from the eye to form a pocket. Let the drop fall into the pocket. Don't let the tip of the bottle touch your eye or eyelid. Close your eyes gently and don't blink. Use your index finger to apply pressure at the point where the lids meet the nose. This prevents the drop from draining immediately through the tear duct. Keep your eyes closed for a minute or two. Wipe any excess drops and tears from the closed lids with a tissue. Then open your eyes.
Smoking and eye health
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No discussion of good eye care would be complete without mentioning the hazards of smoking. Cigarettes, cigars and pipes were linked to 3,421 eye-related injuries in 1998, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. What's more, smoking triples the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, two primary causes of vision loss in older Americans. Finally smoke, like other air pollutants, can irritate the eyes. To find out more, you can check out How To Get Better Eyesight Fast.