Say goodbye to dry eyes - Home remedies

Do your eyes often feel dry, scratchy, or irritated? If so, you might be dealing with dry eye syndrome, a common issue that affects millions worldwide. This condition occurs when your eyes don't produce enough lubrication or when the tears evaporate too quickly, which leads to discomfort and even vision problems.

Addressing dry eyes is essential, not just for comfort but also for your overall eye health. Let's talk about what factors are responsible for dry eyes and explore some simple yet effective home remedies to soothe those tired, dry eyes.

Common Causes of Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are very common and can be caused by a variety of factors. Let's spotlight some common ones:

Environmental Factors

Air Conditioning & Heating: These systems remove moisture from the air, thereby making the surrounding less humid and dry.

Wind & Sun Exposure: Exposure to direct winds and the sun may lead to evaporation of the tears.

Screen Time: Continuous usage of computers and other devices may result in reduced blinking, which results in dryness.

Medications

Antihistamines: Used for allergic reactions but cause dryness of eyes.

Antidepressants & Blood Pressure Medications: These drugs can affect tear production in the eye.

Decongestants: Used for colds and allergies, while they can have a drying effect on the eyes.

Age-Related Changes

Natural Aging Process: Tear production is generally found to decrease with age, particularly after the age of 50 years.

Hormonal Changes: Most frequently seen in post-menopausal women, which can lead to decreased tear production.

Home Remedies for Dry Eyes

If you're searching dry eye solution at home, there are plenty of options, including lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments.

Let's have a look at what option might suit you:

Lifestyle Changes

If you adopt some lifestyle changes, it can positively affect your eye health. Let’s share some tips:

Stay hydrated: It's simple but super effective. Keep a water bottle and sip throughout the day. Your eyes will thank you!

Blink More: It may sound silly, but try blinking exercises. Especially if you're staring at screens all day, every 20 minutes, blink ten times slowly. It's like a mini-workout for your eyes.

Humidify: Dry air is not your friend. Get a humidifier for your home or office. It adds moisture to the air, which helps keep your eyes from drying out.

Protect Eyes from Wind and Sun: Wear sunglasses or wraparound glasses to shield your eyes from wind, dust, and UV rays.

Dietary Adjustments

Yes, you can address dry eyes with some changes in your diet. Consuming some specific foods can reduce your dry eye discomfort:

Omega-3s:

You can consider omega-3 as a superfood for your eyes. They help your eyes to produce more tears. Salmon, sardines, and tuna are examples of fatty fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids. If you don't like fish, opt for walnuts, chia seeds, or flaxseeds. Try to consume these foods at least 2-3 times per week.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps maintain eye moisture. Increase your intake of orange and yellow vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squashes. Other vegetables like spinach, kale, and other green vegetables are also good. It is recommended to put at least one of these foods on your daily menu.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C assists in retaining the moisture of the eyes. This is abundant in citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers. So why not make a change and have some berries with your cereal or have an orange?

Vitamin E

This vitamin aids in protecting your eyes from harm. Nuts, seeds, and avocados are ideal as they are rich in healthy fats. Sprinkle a few sunflower seeds on your salad, or spread some avocado on your bread in the morning.

Whole Grains

Whole grains also contain vitamins that aid in maintaining eyesight. Replace white bread with whole grain bread, or instead of having white rice, consume quinoa.

Green Tea

Green tea has antioxidants that have a positive effect on dry eyes. Replace one of your coffee cups with one cup of green tea.

Natural Eye Care

Besides lifestyle and dietary changes, some ways can be used to protect your eyes and reduce symptoms of dry eyes:

Warm compress: Grab a clean washcloth, soak it in warm water, and place it over your eyes for about 10 minutes. It's like a spa day for your peepers! This helps unclog oil glands and soothe your eyes.

Eyelid Hygiene: Wash the eyelids with mild soap or baby soap to clear the dirt and irritation that makes your eyes red.

Eye Massage: Rubbing your eyelids may also help oil glands become active and promote the stability of tears.

Over-the-counter Products

If you feel that home care is not very effective, then go for some over-the-counter medications to combat dry eyes. Have a look at some:

Artificial Tears: These are available without a prescription and can be used as often as needed throughout the day to lubricate your eyes.

Lubricating Ointments: For more effective and long-lasting relief particularly at night, it is recommended to use eye ointment.

When to see a doctor?

While home remedies can often help with mild dry eye symptoms, there are times when it's important to consult a healthcare professional. If your dry eye symptoms persist and intensify, it is best to seek the help of an eye doctor.

These are symptoms you should not ignore, such as extreme redness, pain, or a sudden loss of vision.

Also, if you experience extreme sensitivity to light or if your dry eyes are interfering with your daily activities, don't hesitate to seek medical advice.

Suggested reading: Hycosan eye drops - benefits and side effects

Final Thoughts

To address dry eyes is not complicated. Home remedies such as drinking water, applying a warm cloth on the eyes, and taking frequent breaks from screen viewing would be beneficial to the eyes. Adjusting one's food intake to include 'eye-friendly' foods also has a significant impact, too.

Everyone's eyes are unique, so it might take some trial and error to find what works best for you. If your dry eyes are persistent, no matter which remedy you try, do not hesitate to talk to an ophthalmologist.