So, what exactly
is dry eye?

Your eyes can be red for various reasons: dryness, allergy, infection, tiredness or a combination of these factors. Over-the-counter eye drops that are usually recommended to relieve redness are called decongestants. They constrict blood vessels in the eye to help reduce redness.

While they can be a “quick fix” for relieving redness, long-term use can cause your eyes to become dependent on these decongestant eye drops. When you stop using them, the vessels in your eye may actually get bigger than they were originally, potentially making red eyes worse. Make an appointment with your eye doctor so that the underlying cause can be identified and addressed.