THE TRUTH ABOUT EYE WHITENING
Red eyes may be caused by anything from a poor night’s sleep to a more serious medical condition. Beyond that, they’re just plain annoying. But, as attempts to whiten eyes often do more harm than good. Here’s How to Safely Reduce Eye Redness Safe treatment starts with a professional exam. Many factors, including dry eye, eyelid inflammation, allergy, skin type, smoking, and exposure to dust or chemicals can cause or contribute to eye redness. Preservative free artificial tears or prescription eye drops prescribed by a licensed eye care provider can help, says Mifflin. He also recommends getting enough sleep, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, and protecting the eyes from UV rays and dry air. Avoid any eye drops or other medications that promise to reduce redness . “Generally these medicines temporarily narrow blood vessels. The effect may last for several hours, but they are always followed by rebound dilation,” says Mifflin. “The abn...