Eye Problems, Noninjury

Home Treatment

Home treatment measures may give you some relief from your eye symptoms.

• Rest your eye.
• Don't rub your eye.
• If you wear contacts, take the contacts out to rest the eyes.
• Use cold or warm compresses, whichever feels best.
• Gently flush your eye with cool water.
• Avoid bright lights or use dark glasses to protect the eye.
• Nonprescription eyedrops, such as artificial tear solutions (Tears Plus or Akwa Tears), may be used to moisten the eyes.

To learn how to use eyedrops and eye ointment, see:

Eye problems: Using eyedrops and eye ointment.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:

Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

For home treatment for these common eye problems, see the Home Treatment section of these related topics:

Pinkeye

Objects in the Eye

Styes and Chalazia

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Vision changes occur, such as blurred vision, loss of vision, or double vision.
• Pain or drainage from your eye lasts for more than 24 hours despite home treatment. Be sure to remove your contacts when your eye problem starts.
• Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) develops.
• You have blood in the eye.
• Swelling or redness develops around the eye area (periorbital cellulitis).
• Signs of infection are present.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: December 6, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine
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