Rebound Redness

Hello,

Three months ago, I visited an eye doctor due to my severe dry eye.  I had been using get the red out eye drops for about 2 years, and was told to quit using those and start using artificial tears.  I also got punctal plugs.  However, my eyes are very red from not being able to use vasoconstrictors, and I believe that I am suffering from rebound redness.  Is there an average time for rebound redness to abate?  Should I expect them to be red for a long time (or forever)?  And what do you recommend for dealing with my red eyes right now?

Thank you

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Der 8qfanc,

Individuals can get addicted to vasoconstrictors of the eye hwihc usually “get the red out!”  Your eyeMD may evaluate your eyes to determine what is best for the redness.  He/she may vary what they do depending upon the initial cause of the redness as well as the rebound which occurs.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[mandy38]

I had the same problem, I was using eye whiteners for a year every day due to recurrent red eye and it was found to be a problem with the gland in my lower lid.  I had to lay off the whitener and it probably took a month for the eye to clear up.  You just have to bear with it, it will get better!