Reading glasses for red eyes?

March 14, 2006 3:21 PM

Will reading glasses help red eyes?

My eyes are red and bloodshot more often than not. Although it is worse when I'm tired, that's not the only time I have the problem. Sometimes it's accompanied by discomfort, sometimes not. It's not seasonal, and I'm pretty sure it's not allergy-related. I read a lot and do a lot of computer work. I haven't noticed any problems with focus or difficulty reading.

So I went to an optometrist who told me that I have a slight shortsightedness, which would be improved by using reading glasses. When I asked if this would help the redness she gave a vague reply along the lines of "red eyes MAY be caused by eyestrain which MAY be relieved by wearing glasses". This concerned me.

Now, I have no problem with wearing glasses, but what I really want is to get rid of this redness. I will be seeking a second optometrist's opinion, and if they also recommend reading glasses I'll get some. What I want from YOU is to hear is your anecdotal stories about red eyes. Have you had this problem? Did glasses fix it? Anything else that worked?

posted by nomis to health & fitness (4 comments total)

I'mNotADoctorButIPlayOneOnTVFilter:

My father is an optician and runs an optical shop where I used to work. Moderate to severe shortsightedness=moderate to severe eyestrain=moderate to severe red eye, or other problems.
posted by rollbiz at 3:56 PM on March 14, 2006

I'm slightly nearsighted, and slightly astigmatic (though neither to a degree where I *need* glasses to function). I often get dry / burning / red eyes when trying to focus at a distance for longer than a few minutes at a time. Wearing my glasses, with a very weak prescription, fixes this.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:10 PM on March 14, 2006

Try some lubricating drops. I like Refresh Tears--more expensive than most, but longlasting (and for some reason, the only brand that doesn't make my eyes more red with repeated use).
posted by neuron at 8:49 PM on March 14, 2006

Eye drops: do NOT buy the kinds that state they "get the red out." You need moisture.
posted by Carol Anne at 5:37 AM on March 15, 2006