Comments on: Reading glasses for red eyes?

Question: Reading glasses for red eyes?

nomis — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:21:53 -0800

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?

By: rollbiz

rollbiz — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:56:44 -0800

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.

By: uncleozzy

uncleozzy — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:10:54 -0800

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.

By: neuron

neuron — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:49:06 -0800

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).

By: Carol Anne

Carol Anne — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 05:37:04 -0800

Eye drops: do NOT buy the kinds that state they "get the red out." You need moisture.