If you're prone to red eyes, it's important to know what's causing them before self-medicating. Koetting said that "if someone has red eyes, it is typically a symptom of something else, such as more severe dry eye disease and is a good idea to see an eye care professional, especially if there is any sudden pain with it."
Dr. John Sheppard, an ophthalmologist and professor of ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, agrees and advises avoiding vasoconstrictor eye drops with naphazoline, a decongestant that's usually found in OTC eye drops like Visine or Clear Eyes. This ingredient is also known to restrict blood flow, which can cause high blood pressure.
Why we like it: "These types of drops induce dependency, so I prefer Lumify," said Dr. Sheppard. If you've cleared with your doctor that it's appropriate to use OTC drops for redness, Lumify is a solid choice. Lumify is a small bottle that contains brimonidine, which is commonly used in glaucoma medication. It also helps reduce pressure and fluid in the eyes.
Who it's best for: As long as you aren't dealing with an infection or other medical complication, Lumify is safe to use, especially if you're looking to reduce eye redness fast.
One Amazon, one reviewer loves Lumify because of how quickly it works, saying, "They work incredibly fast -- within minutes, my eyes go from red and tired to bright and refreshed." Additionally, he likes that it doesn't cause rebound redness, unlike some other brands.