At-home Remedies for Eye Discomfort, Soreness and Pain

Whether it’s due to extended screen time, allergies, an infection, or another cause, eye discomfort can range from mild irritation to more intense pain. Despite its common occurrence, eye pain can be unsettling, especially when it disrupts daily activities. Fortunately, many cases of eye pain can be mitigated at home before seeking out your eye doctor.

What Causes Eye Pain?

Understanding the cause of your eye pain and applying appropriate home treatments can make a significant difference.

• Dry Eyes: When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, many symptoms can occur, such as burning, watering, gritty sensations, light sensitivity, fluctuating blurred vision, redness, and more. 
• Eye Strain: Prolonged screen time, reading, or other visual tasks can cause eye fatigue, resulting in discomfort and pain.
• Infections: Various tissues in and around the eye can become infected. Styes, a common eyelid infection, can vary in severity and discomfort. “Pink eye” is a generic term for eye infections such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. 
• Allergies: Allergic reactions can cause itchy, red, and watery eyes. They usually involve both eyes. Foreign Objects in the Eye: Small particles like dust or sand can get into the eye, causing pain and irritation until removed.
• Inflammation : This can be a stand-alone condition with various ocular structures resulting in severe pain, redness and light sensitivity. Frequently, inflammation is associated with dry eyes, eye infections, foreign bodies, allergies or systemic illnesses. 

General Tips for Eye Care

Taking good care of your eyes involves simple but effective practices. Ensure you rest your eyes regularly, especially if you spend long periods in front of screens or reading. Staying hydrated is also crucial, as it helps maintain eye moisture. Additionally, avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can cause irritation or introduce bacteria, potentially leading to infections.

Remedies for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be quite uncomfortable, but there are several at-home remedies that can help. Artificial tears, available over the counter, provide quick relief by lubricating your eyes. (Be aware that drops claiming to contain “redness relievers” or “cooling agents” may be gimmicks.) Applying warm compresses provides soothing relief and stimulates glands involved in tear production. Identify environmental factors contributing to dryness, such as bedside fans or extended screen time, and moderate appropriately. Also, there is significant evidence that Omega 3 supplements help with long-term dry eye relief.

Relieving Eye Strain

Eye strain is common, especially with increased screen time. To alleviate this, practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Ensure your workspace is well-lit to reduce strain, and set up your screen and seating ergonomically to maintain a comfortable posture, reducing the risk of eye strain. If symptoms persist after using the 20-20-20 rule, a thorough examination may be necessary, as treatment options may be available. 

Treating Allergies

For allergies, applying cold compresses can help reduce swelling and soothe your eyes. Over-the-counter antihistamines can provide relief from allergic reactions. It’s also essential to avoid allergens as much as possible by keeping your environment clean and steering clear of known irritants.

Addressing Infections and Inflammation

Numerous specific ocular tissues can become infected or inflamed. It is necessary to seek an examination from your eye doctor for appropriate treatment and management, as the severity can vary greatly. Until you are able to be examined, preservative-free artificial tears, warm or cool compresses, and dim lighting may offer some relief. If you are experiencing tearing or discharge, maintain good hygiene, especially hand washing. Avoid sharing things, such as towels and pillows, and close contact with other people. These are precautionary measures to help prevent infecting others if you happen to have a contagious infection.  

Removing Foreign Objects

If a foreign object gets into your eye, the first step is to flush it out with clean water or saline solution. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can push the object further in, scratch the ocular surface, and cause more irritation. If you need to touch your eye, ensure your hands are clean to prevent introducing bacteria and reduce the risk of infection. If you are successful at flushing out the foreign object, there may be a residual abrasion or scratch. Consequently, the sensation of a foreign body can remain. It is highly recommended to seek an exam with your eye doctor for proper treatment and management of a foreign object or residual abrasion. 

When Should You Contact Your Optometrist

While many cases of eye pain can be managed at home, certain situations require professional attention to prevent more serious issues.

• Infections and Foreign Objects: Don’t tough it out; seek your eye doctor. Colored or mucous discharge can indicate an infection. 
• Persistent Symptoms or  Pain: If your eye pain doesn’t improve with home remedies or becomes increasingly severe, it’s essential to see an optometrist.
• Sudden Vision Changes: Any abrupt changes in your vision, such as flashes of light, shadows, new floaters, blurriness, double vision, or loss of vision, should be evaluated immediately.
• Sensitivity to Light: Increased sensitivity to light, or photophobia, can be a sign of underlying eye conditions that need professional evaluation.
• Swelling Around the Eye: Significant swelling around the eye can indicate a more serious problem, such as an infection, severe allergic response, or injury, that requires a prompt examination by an optometrist.

Schedule an Appointment in Mountain Brook, AL

If you have any questions or are experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact Mountain Brook Eye Care in Mountain Brook, AL. Our team is here to provide expert advice and care to ensure your eyes receive the attention they need.