How do I get rid of red eyes fast?

Rest your eyes, use a cool compress and avoid screens and smoke for a while. Mild redness often clears within a day.

Is a red eye an emergency?

A painless red eye is usually not. A red eye with pain, reduced vision or light sensitivity should be seen by a doctor urgently.

Can lack of sleep cause red eyes?

Yes. Tired eyes produce fewer tears and look red. A good night's sleep often helps.

Eye care5 min

Home remedies for red eyes: cool compress, rest and knowing the warning signs

Eyes can turn red after a late night, a dusty ride, swimming, crying or an allergy. These home remedies for red eyes help mild redness settle with cool compresses, rest and clean habits, and they explain which kinds of red eye should go straight to a doctor.

Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.

Mild redness vs a red flag

Mild, painless redness from tiredness, dryness or irritation usually fades within a day or two. A painful red eye, redness with blurred vision, light sensitivity, a headache with nausea, injury, or a red eye in a contact lens wearer can be serious and needs urgent care.

In Ayurveda, reddish, hot eyes are linked with pitta, and cooling measures with plenty of rest are the traditional first steps.

Ingredients

Cotton pads or a soft clean cloth
A bowl of cool, clean water
A few ice cubes (optional, wrapped)

How to prepare

Chill the water with a few ice cubes.
Wash hands well before touching the eyes.

How to use

Rest cool, damp pads on closed eyes for 10 minutes, two or three times a day.
Give the eyes a full night's sleep and screen breaks every 20–30 minutes.
If redness does not fade in two days, or gets worse, see an eye doctor.

Helpful habits

Wear goggles while swimming and sunglasses on dusty rides.
Avoid 'red eye relief' drops for regular use; they can cause rebound redness.
Remove contact lenses at the first sign of redness.

Precautions

See a doctor the same day for a red eye with pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, a severe headache, injury or a chemical splash.
A red eye with thick discharge may be an infection; see a doctor and avoid sharing towels.
Do not put homemade liquids such as milk, honey or herbal water inside the eye.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of red eyes fast?: Rest your eyes, use a cool compress and avoid screens and smoke for a while. Mild redness often clears within a day.
Is a red eye an emergency?: A painless red eye is usually not. A red eye with pain, reduced vision or light sensitivity should be seen by a doctor urgently.
Can lack of sleep cause red eyes?: Yes. Tired eyes produce fewer tears and look red. A good night's sleep often helps.