Experiencing Red Eyes After Work? 7 Ways to Get Relief

7 Ways to Get Relief from Red Eyes After Work

Humans rely on their sight more than any other senses. Given its importance, it’s only natural to get worried whenever something unusual happens to your eyes.

One of the typical concerns people have these days is red eyes. This is more prevalent in the working adult population, especially those who frequently use computers without protective measures, like wearing blue light glasses or taking regular breaks in between..

This article discusses possible reasons behind red eyes after work and what you can do to get relief.

Why You Get Red Eyes: Top Work-Related Causes

Although there are a lot of potential reasons why your eyes become bloodshot, there are only a few common possibilities that may be linked to your occupation. This includes:

Lack of sleep

As part of working hard, people sometimes feel the need to skimp on sleep to be “more productive.”

Unfortunately, this practice isn’t doing them any favors, especially when it comes to eye health.

People who don’t get enough sleep often experience the consequences in their eyes. Because they need to close for extended periods to ensure proper circulation, the eyes tend to get puffy, dry, and red if they stay open longer than ideal.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

Another common cause of red eyes, computer vision syndrome (CVS) happens after working too long in front of the computer.

It is characterized by strained and dry eyes and sometimes comes with a burning sensation. Other symptoms include:

• Blurry vision
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Sensitivity to light

7 Ways to Get Relief from Red Eyes After Work

Considering the most common reasons you get red eyes, counteracting what caused it should help. Of course, there are a few other methods you can try, especially if you can’t avoid working long hours in front of the computer, such as:

1. Eye exercises

Eye experts recommend eye exercises to reduce strain on the eyes. These not only help you get instant relief from eye strain but also potentially prevent CVS.

Some of the eye exercises you can try are:

• 20-20-20 Rule: This rule indicates resting the eyes after every 20 minutes of screentime by looking at an object 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
• Focus Exercises: In this exercise, you need to alternate your eye focus between something far away and nearby.
• Figure Eight: This exercise involves looking at the floor eight feet away, slowly moving eye focus to form the shape of an eight for about 30 seconds in each direction.

2. Cold compress

Cold compress constricts the blood vessels that swell with eye strain, making the eyes look red. This remedy not only helps get rid of your red eyes but also reduces fluid retention around your peepers to make them look less fluffy.

For this method, get a clean washcloth and submerge it in ice water. Wring out the excess liquid and apply it to your closed eyes for about five to 10 minutes a few times daily.

3. Artificial tears

Clinically known as demulcent drops, eye doctors sometimes recommend the use of over-the-counter artificial tears to moisturize dry, irritated eyes that could also be the cause of redness. This needs to be applied often, every hour during the initial six hours, and six times daily thereafter.

4. Vasoconstrictors

Vasoconstrictors are decongestant eye drops that help shrink the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva, effectively reducing redness.

These products can be used safely for a maximum of 72 hours. Anything beyond that could lead to “rebound redness” – the state that occurs when the effects of the eye drops wear off. During this state, the blood vessels in the eyes tend to dilate more than they did before the use of the eye drops, making the eyes look bloodshot.

If you seem to need vasoconstrictor eye drops every morning, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional first.

5. Heat therapy

Besides the cold, heat can also help reduce irritation by dealing with blocked tear glands that increase inflammation in the eyes.

Heat can help oil flow more smoothly and reduce irritation as a result of oil solidification, which partially blocks the tear glands (like candle wax). When the tear glands are blocked, they trigger a redness response.

Though it may take a couple of weeks, heat therapy is an effective remedy for red and puffy eyes. It also minimizes hyperosmolarity – the state where there is less water and more salts gathered up in the tear film.

6. Digital detox

If you don’t blink enough, your eyes don’t get adequately lubricated, leading to redness and irritation.

If you work closely on a laptop, computer, tablet, or cell phone, you may subconsciously blink less, which leads to fatigue in the converging and focusing muscles of the eyes.

Considering this, the simple act of taking “blink breaks” every few minutes would help ease red eyes and other symptoms of CVS.

7. Optimum workstation arrangement

Studies also suggest that making modifications in your workspace arrangements could help manage red eyes. Some recommended adjustments include:

• Controlling light intensity to reduce glare.
• Working 35 to 40 inches away from the screen.
• Adjusting the monitor at an angle five to six inches below eye level.

Relief from Red Eyes

Getting relief from red eyes comes with a combination of workspace management, getting enough rest, home remedies, and over-the-counter medicines. Find out what works for you and consult your eye doctor if you experience the symptom longer.

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