Can a cold compress help the eyes?

7 min readSep 13, 2021

Cold compresses are a safe, effective home remedy for eye discomfort. People can easily make them using household items and use them to relieve a range of ailments, including eye problems.

A cold compress can relieve symptoms such as swelling, pain, and dryness, so it can help people with dry eyes, pinkeye, and eye pain by delhi eye care.

As cold compresses constrict blood vessels, they can also improve the appearance of dark circles and the discomfort of puffy eyes.

In some cases, using a warm compress may be a suitable treatment for eye problems. People can also try prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops.

Read more about the eye conditions that a cold compress can treat, including how to make them and what to consider before using one.

How can a cold compress help the eyes?

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Cold compresses can relieve the symptoms of various eye problems, particularly those that do not need further medical attention.

Dry eye

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), dry eye affects millions of people in the United States every year. The symptoms include:

an itchy, scratchy, or burning feeling in the eye
red eyes
sensitivity to light
blurred vision

Dry eye develops when the tear glands do not produce enough moisture. Doctors often advise people with dry eye to use OTC eye drops, also known as artificial tears.

However, a 2013 study showed that using a cold compress may be as effective as artificial tears. As well as being less expensive, it is also a natural treatment option.

Pinkeye

Allergies or infections in the eye can often cause an eye condition called pinkeye, or conjunctivitis. It usually improves on its own, but until then, it can make the eyes feel:

dry
gritty
itchy
watery

Using a cold compress may ease the swelling and redness associated with pinkeye. People using a cold compress should ensure that it is clean before use and wash it after every use.

If the eyes feel very painful, produce more pus than usual, and are more sensitive to light, people should contact a doctor.

Learn more about pinkeye.

Eye pain

Many things can cause eye pain, including:

a foreign object in the eye
allergy or infection
contact lens irritation
an injury
cysts or lumps around the eyelid, such as a stye or a chalazion

Placing a cold compress over the affected eye or eyes for 15 minutes can reduce swelling and relieve pain.

If the pain is a result of something in the eye, it is important not to rub or press it. Instead, a person can gently flush the eye with water. If a person’s eye pain results from exposure to chemicals, they should wash the eye with water and seek immediate medical attention.

Learn more about different causes of eye pain.

Dark circles and eye bags

Some people are more likely than others to have dark circles. These individuals include older adults, people of a non-white background, and those with a genetic predisposition to dark circles.

Dark circles can also occur due to:

dermatitis
aging
smoking
rubbing the eyes
hayfever
fatigue
dehydration

Using a cold compress can shrink the blood vessels under the eyes, reducing the appearance of darkness and swelling.

Learn more about dark circles under the eyes.

How to make a cold compress at home

It is easy to make a cold compress using household items. There are several options people can try, depending on the materials they can access.

Cold towel

A person can make a cold towel compress by following these steps:

running a clean dishcloth under water and wringing it out so that it is damp
folding it into a square
placing the folded cloth in a plastic bag and putting it in the freezer for 15 minutes
removing the frozen cloth from the bag and gently applying it to the eyes

Ice pack

Making an ice pack compress involves these steps:

placing ice into a resealable plastic bag
breaking the ice gently into small pieces if it is in large chunks
wrapping the sealed ice bag with a clean dishcloth and applying it to the eyes as necessary

Frozen food pack

People can make a frozen food pack compress by:

using small frozen vegetables such as peas, corn, or mixed vegetables
pouring a small amount into a resealable plastic bag
covering it with a clean dishcloth and applying it to the eyes

How to use a cold compress

A person should gently place the compress on a closed eye. The NEI recommends keeping a cold compress on an eye injury for 15 minutes. It is fine to repeat the treatment as necessary every couple of hours.

It is essential never to apply ice directly to the skin. People should also take care not to use a frozen cold compress for too long. The Rand Eye Institute recommends using an iced compress for no longer than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite.