Jeepers Creepers, Where’d You Get Those Dry, Red Peepers?

Between allergies and staring at 4 different computer screens all day, my eyes are strained, red, dry and itchy by the time I go to bed. I have some lightly tinted glasses I wear sometimes when it becomes too much but I could always use something else to help the discomfort.

Seeing Red? Top Eye Doc Offers Tips to Clear Up Eye Issues Quick

Bloodshot eyes are never a good look, and they can even send the wrong message. In a Harris Interactive® survey of college-aged and 20-somethings* for ROHTO® eye drops, 41 percent of respondents indicate that red eyes look “unprofessional” and one in ten indicated that they would suspect drinking and/or drug use from bloodshot eyes, alone. But according to Leonard J. Press, board-certified optometric physician in Fair Lawn , N.J. today’s lifestyles make red eyes almost inevitable, but there are ways to combat it.

“These days, our eyes are in total overdrive,” says Dr. Press. “Many of us are staring at computer screens for a good part of our day, and even when we should be resting, we’re texting on our cell phones, e-mailing on our tiny Blackberry screens, constantly reading or watching something, even playing video games that serve to tire out the eyes. Combine this with factors like lack of sleep, environmental allergens and irritating pollutants, and your eyes will be screaming for relief.”

Dr. Press explains the most common causes and the best remedies for dry, itchy, red eyes:

Lack of sleep: “When you don’t get enough sleep, your eyes haven’t had enough time to refresh themselves. As a result, the blood vessels near the surface of the eye become enlarged and dilated, causing the bloodshot look,” says Dr. Press. “The best remedy is, of course, to get more sleep. But if you have to look presentable for a day after a sleepless night, ROHTO cooling eye drops can make your eyes much more comfortable.”

Air Travel: “The recycled air in airplane cabins can dry out your eyes, leading to irritation and redness,” says Dr. Press. “Drink a lot of water during and after the flight, avoid alcoholic or salty beverages, like tomato juice, during your flight and use lubricating eye drops.” ROHTO® eye drops come in a .4-ounce bottle that is both travel friendly and allowed on airplanes (per FAA liquid restrictions).

Contact Lenses: “Many contact lens wearers suffer from red eyes on occasion,” says Dr. Press. “Try switching your saline solution to a hypo-allergenic formula, try not to wear your contacts excessively, and look for products that are preservative-free, but consult with your eye doctor before making changes as both contact lens type and care products are intimately related ”

Allergies: “When you come into contact with airborne allergens, your eyes and nose overproduce histamine, which is a chemical that acts to bring more blood and lymph fluid to the site of the ‘invasion,’ and that’s why your eyes get red and watery,” says Dr. Press. “Figure out what you’re allergic to so you can avoid triggers, and oral antihistamines can help. Cooling eye masks and eye drops can also help relieve the symptoms once they occur.” Dr. Press says to avoid rubbing itchy eyes, because it will serve to just push contaminants into them.

Computer Strain: “When you sit in front of a computer screen all day, large or small, your eyes become dry and fatigued, which triggers the redness,” says Dr. Press. “It’s important to take breaks throughout the day. Schedule a time to make a group of phone calls to give your eyes a rest and take short walks away from your desk for several minutes per hour.” ROHTO® Arctic is formulated to work for eye issues related to computer eye strain.

Eye Infections/Diseases: “If your eye irritation is chronic and is accompanied by other symptoms, such as inflamed eyelids, discharge, pain or the sensation that something is in the eye, you probably have a more serious problem that needs medical attention,” says Dr. Press. “Stop using any over-the-counter products you’re using and see an eye doctor as soon as you can.”

Lifestyle Issues: “Products like eye drops can be very helpful in soothing the eye from the outside-in, but they should complement maintaining a healthy lifestyle from the inside-out,” says Dr. Press. “Keep your stress levels under control, maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and schedule time for regular exercise to protect your eyes as specialized joints adapted for sight.”

Visit www.cool4eyes.com for more information on ROHTO eye drops.