Question: My eyes seem to be red all the time, no matter how much sleep I get. Are over-the-counter eye drops safe? What else can I do?

Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
 

Red eyes are often related to some irritation — often from smoke, makeup, environmental allergens, infection, or obstruction. You must see your physician to be screened for more serious conditions such as a tumor or glaucoma, which when left untreated may cause premature retinal damage and blindness.
 

Avoid using over-the-counter eye drops for a few days to allow your doctor to treat the cause of the red eye directly. Occasional use of OTC topical agents is OK sometimes, but regular use may worsen red eye conditions, and delay more specific appropriate treatment.

Have your physician or ophthalmologist evaluate your eyes to provide you with more specific guidance and to be sure you have no underlying condition, a corneal infection or foreign body that may scar your cornea.
 

Always seek professional guidance as soon as possible after an eye injury, flash burns or an abrasion, as early treatment will usually prevent more involved complications