How to Make Your Eyes Look Brighter (Safely)

Summary: Everyone wants eyes that look bright, clear, and healthy — but some popular “whitening” drops can actually make things worse over time. Here’s what optometrists recommend instead, including gentle, preservative-free ways to refresh and revive tired or red eyes.

Your eyes naturally reflect your overall health. Redness, dryness, or dullness often point to irritation, tiredness, or dehydration rather than something cosmetic. True brightness comes from improving comfort and hydration, not masking redness.

Why whitening drops aren’t the answer

Many “get-the-red-out” or whitening eye drops work by constricting blood vessels on the eye’s surface to make them look whiter temporarily.
However, experts warn this can lead to rebound redness once the drops wear off — leaving eyes looking even more bloodshot.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, long-term use of vasoconstrictor drops can cause dependency, irritation, and dryness, making redness worse in the long run (https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/redness-relievers).

The Cleveland Clinic also cautions that frequent use of redness-relieving drops can damage the delicate eye surface and disrupt the tear film.

If your eyes often appear red, the underlying issue could be dryness, lack of sleep, allergies, or environmental irritation — not something that quick drops can safely fix.

How to safely make eyes look whiter and brighter

The best way to achieve naturally brighter eyes is to focus on hydration, rest, and barrier protection for your tear film.

• Use a preservative-free eye spray: Our Instant Relief Eye Spray helps hydrate and stabilize the tear film. It’s preservative-free, vegan, and clinically proven to relieve dryness and irritation, helping eyes appear clearer and more luminous throughout the day.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water and avoiding excessive caffeine helps maintain moisture balance.
• Get adequate rest: Fatigue can cause visible redness and dullness in the whites of your eyes. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
• Limit screen time breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to rest the eyes.
• Avoid irritants: Steer clear of smoke, fragranced skincare, or cosmetics with preservatives or alcohol near the eyes.

FAQs

Q: Are whitening drops ever safe?
A: They can provide short-term cosmetic relief but are not designed for regular use. Overuse may worsen redness and dryness (American Academy of Ophthalmology).

Q: What’s the difference between whitening drops and eye sprays?
A: Whitening drops constrict blood vessels to hide redness. Eye sprays like Instant Relief Eye Spray address the cause — dryness or irritation — restoring comfort and clarity and make your eyes appear whiter over time..

Q: How soon can I expect to see results?
A: Most people feel immediate soothing relief and notice eyes look clearer within days when dryness and irritation improve.

Q: Can I use an eye spray with contact lenses?
A: Yes, our Instant Relief Eye Spray can be used with or without contact lenses — even over closed eyes.