Throughout the day, millions upon millions of undetected particles come into contact with your eyes. The reason that none of us have pounds of particulate matter blocking our eyesight is because our eyes are (usually) self-cleaning body parts. Your eyes are constantly producing fluids that lubricate your eyes and keep them moist, and these fluids are also able to dissolve many particles that they come into contact with. Particles that cannot be dissolved are pushed towards the base of your eye with your eyelids, where they either form gunk at the corner of your eyes or enter a duct to your nasal cavity (hence your nose running when you cry).
Unfortunately, particles can sometimes get lodged in your eye or stuck on the inside of your eyelid, and cannot be removed naturally. These particles are the primary source of irritation, although it can also be a result of allergies or dry eyes. Whether it’s because of allergies, dryness, or something that just refuses to get out; here are 8 simple methods to cure irritated eyes.
1. Rinse out your eyes
Using clean, decontaminated water, thoroughly rinse out your eyes. Small particles of allergens or irritating objects can be very difficult to get out of your eyes by just blinking, but rinsing out your eyes with water can help to dislodge any particles stuck on your eye. Eye-rinse stations are ideal, but simply pouring water from a tap or bottle lightly onto your eyes should get the job done.
2. Wash your Face
Particles that are irritating your eyes may also be present on your face. To prevent further irritation make sure you wash your entire face to get rid of any potentially irritating particles.
3. Apply a Cold Cloth/Towel
Although allergenic or irritating particles are most often the culprit of irritated eyes, swollen eyelids can also have the same effects. To reduce the swelling of your eyelids, soak a cloth or towel in cold water, lay down on a pillow or bed and press the cloth onto your eyes. Repeat this treatment until irritation has subsided. *Make sure your cloth stays cold, if it starts to get warm re-rinse in cold water*
4. Eye Drops
Many eye drops or eyelid solution have been made for the sole purpose of reducing the irritation of eyes. These are usually fairly cheap and can be found in almost any pharmacy or drug store.
5. Stay Indoors
Whatever it was that started to bother your eyes in the first place is probably still out there, so try to stay indoors for the rest of the day to avoid further contact.
6. Drink plenty of Water
Dry eyes are often a result of dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body tries to save as much moisture as it possibly can, meaning that some areas will receive less water or moisture than they should. This can cause your eyes to become dry and irritated. Luckily, this is pretty easy to deal with: stay hydrated!
7. Antihistamines
Over-the-counter or prescribed allergy medications are often all it takes to cure irritated or swollen eyes. These can provide the much-needed relief you’ve been looking for, however some can be rather expensive.
8. Remove and Clean Contacts
If your a contact lens wearer, this is most likely the reason for your irritated eyes. There are many possibilities as to why your contacts are causing irritation, but your first step should always be to remove and clean your contacts. Irritants can become trapped by your contacts and your body’s usual methods of removing the particles will no longer be effective. Also, be sure to check your lenses lifespan to make sure you haven’t over-worn this pair. Lastly, be sure to follow all cleaning and safety measures outlined by your doctor to prevent further irritation.
If none of the above remedies work, it is highly recommended that you call a doctor to take a look at your eyes. Although it may not seem like a big deal, long-term irritation can result in permanent damage to various parts of your eye; including scratches in your retina, cornea, and more. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed below, call your doctor immediately:
- Decreased/blurry vision.
- Sharp or throbbing pains in your eye.
- Feeling/seeing something stuck in your eye.