Why do eye gels cause red eyes?
Aug 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, eye gels may cause redness of the eyes due to reasons such as ocular sensitivity, improper application, corneal injury, allergic reactions to the medication, or worsening of an pre-existing eye infection. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a qualified hospital. In daily life, it is important to follow medical instructions for the correct use of eye gels and avoid altering the dosage or frequency of application without authorization.
Generally, eye redness caused by eye gel may be due to eye sensitivity, improper application, corneal injury, allergic reaction to the medication, or worsening of an ocular infection. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a qualified hospital. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Eye Sensitivity
Some individuals have sensitive ocular mucosa, and the ingredients in eye gel might irritate the eyes, causing dilation of ocular blood vessels and resulting in eye redness. Discontinue the use of this eye gel temporarily and observe whether symptoms improve. During this period, avoid contact with irritants such as cosmetics and bright lights.
2. Improper Application
When applying eye gel, unclean hands or contact of the bottle tip with eyelids or eyelashes might introduce bacteria into the eye or cause mechanical irritation, leading to eye redness. Wash your hands thoroughly before application, keep the tip of the bottle clean, avoid touching ocular tissues, and apply the medication gently to minimize eye irritation.
3. Corneal Injury
Eye gel has a high viscosity. If the cornea is accidentally scratched during application or irritated by the medication, it may lead to corneal hyperemia and cause eye redness. Avoid rubbing the eyes, seek timely medical evaluation for corneal status, and use medications such as recombinant human epidermal growth factor eye drops, sodium hyaluronate eye drops, or eye gel containing defibrillated calf blood extract under a doctor's guidance to promote corneal healing.
4. Allergic Reaction to Medication
Some ingredients in eye gel may trigger allergic reactions, causing ocular mucosal congestion and swelling, resulting in eye redness, possibly accompanied by itching and tearing. Immediately discontinue the use of this eye gel and, under a doctor's guidance, use medications such as sodium cromoglycate eye drops, olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops, or emedastine difumarate eye drops to alleviate allergic symptoms.
5. Worsening Ocular Infection
If there is an existing ocular infection such as conjunctivitis, using eye gel may exacerbate the infection due to inappropriate medication or disease progression, intensifying the inflammatory response and causing eye redness. Seek timely medical attention and, under a doctor's guidance, adjust medications, such as using levofloxacin eye drops, tobramycin eye drops, or gatifloxacin eye drops to control the infection.
In daily life, follow medical instructions carefully when using eye gel, and avoid altering the dosage or frequency without authorization. If discomfort occurs during use, stop the medication immediately and seek medical attention. Maintain good ocular hygiene and avoid rubbing the eyes with dirty hands. Store the eye gel properly away from light and refrigerate if required, to ensure the medication's effectiveness.
