Bloodshot eyes

[Chibi-Fallon]

Okay I was camping for the past 12 days (that’s where I was), and I wear contacts. I was wearing them for about 17 hours a day (very bad thing) and now my left eyes is all bloodshot and has been for the past 4 or so days. I’ve tried every kind of eye drop around (and haven’t worn the contacts since) and I can’t find anything that will make it go away and stop hurting (it feels *really* dry no matter what I do). :wah: Can anyone help me?

[Old Witch]

You probably have an infection and need to see your doctor.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

As your already doing, don't wear the contacts, and like Old Witch said, go see your eye doctor. Until then, keep plenty of re-wetting drops on hand.....that's about all you can do.

[Lavender]

If it's just plain ol' tired eyes, you can try putting tea bags on them. Boil some water & soak a tea bag for each eye. Let it cool & place the bags over each of your eyes & rest for 15 mins. The tannin in tea is good for your eyes for mild irritations.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I'm so glad we have WildChild to post these types of rememdies. My, my that sounds so restful!

[Chibi-Fallon]

Thanks Wildchild. I doubt it's something to see the doctor as other kids got it too (but only the ones who wore their contacts). I think if it was some eye thing people who didn't wear contacts would have gotten it too. If that doesn't clear it up I'll go see the doctor. *runs off to find tea bags*

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I wear contacts.
Since you state that all you contact wearers got the "bloodshot" thing I'd say that all ya'll got something on your contacts....some type of oil from the plants. I dunno! But I do suggest that if it doesn't clear up soon to head to the doc.
I've been wearing contacts for over 20 years and there's not much more aggravating than not being able to wear them.

[Lavender]

I used to wear contacts too & got bloodshot eyes from over straining them. I used to wear them waaay too long & tired my eyes out. The tea bags were very helpful. :)

[kblackthorne]

Actually, as Witchy Cowgirl said, the fact that all contact-wearers got the same problem says it is something to see a doctor about.

If I don't wear contacts, I'm not touching my eye-balls twice a day (with less than perfectly sterile fingers from camping, no less). So I'm far less likely to introduce an infection.

Furthermore, if I do introduce something, my tears are far more likely to wash it away: I don't have this physical thing (namely, my contact lens) holding it against my eye!

You have my sympathies, Chibi-Fallon. Hopefully the teabags will help, until you can get to the doctor.

Also, when you're not "wearing" the teabags (you can't lie with your head back all day), and between eye-drops, try to "remember" to blink deliberately a couple times a minute. It both stimulates the tear-ducts & "washes" the tears over the surface of the eye. I've had this help somewhat with the regular, eye-strain, sort of "bloodshot". As long as it is not painful, it can't hurt and might help a bit.

[Azure]

It's an old trick to get rid of swollen eyes, but you might also try cucumber slices over your eyes. Cucumber is very, very soothing.

I wear contacts, and ironically enough also have been camping most of the past week- if you haven't used enzyme cleaner, do that quickly. But I would hit the dr's office as soon as you have time. You may also have scratched your corneas or something like that - all that dirt and grime.

Be careful and don't over use eyedrops - most of them just function to constrict blood vessels to get rid of the red eyes. You might want to get some artificial tears instead.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Thanks for the concern guys, but the tea bags did the trick. I woke up this morning and my eyes were all better. I even wore my contacts to tennis practice today (that or end up with a broken nose that’s how blind I am). They’re out now, but they’re all better. Not hurting or anything. You can't even tell they were bloodshot. I’m pretty sure they were just irritated by the contacts (an average of 17 hours of wear for 8 days will do that). I think it was just tired eyes. That or I want my money back on the hand sanitizer (which hurts like a mother when you use it and then put those in) and lens cleaner/disinfectant.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I don't think that stuff is made to be used in the eyes (or on the hands that touch contact lenses right away). That is probably what caused the bloodshot eyes.
Glad your better.;)

[Élistariel]

I think you should just be glad you can wear contacts. I tried them once. Everyone complained to me, and said that I didn't have to put eye drops in every "5 d* minutes". So, I attempted to go through an 1.5hr class, with only a few drops. Well... 15 minutes in to class, they dried up and fell out of my eyes. Not to mention they felt like rocks in my eyes. No, I'm not exaggerating. And thus, be glad you aren't cursed to wear glasses, and the annoyance of going next to blind every time it rains. I'd get the laser surgery, but it's costly, and they say you have to be at least 21 or some crud like that.