Any issue with your eyes can cause serious discomfort, and it is no different with a condition called dry eyes syndrome. With this condition, you may develop symptoms like blurred vision, scratchy sensation in the eye, feeling like you have something in your eyes, light sensitivity, and mucus around your eyes. You develop this condition when the tear glands fail to produce enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated. Both environmental and medical factors can cause it, but thankfully, you can find home remedies for dry eyes to improve your condition.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Dry Eyes Naturally
It is true that dry eyes can cause a great deal of discomfort, but certain natural remedies can ease the pain and improve your condition. Here is what you may want to try.
1. Increase Your Intake of Antioxidants
Free radicals may be responsible for causing damage to your eyes and leading to problems like dry eyes. Increasing your intake of antioxidants may prevent oxidative damage and even help treat your condition. You usually develop oxidative stress due to poor diet, aging, chronic stress, lack of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Antioxidants can slow down this oxidation process. Be sure to eat more colorful fruits and veggies like chard, cherries, goji berry, spinach, kale, and acai berry.
2. Get Enough of Essential Vitamins
It is important to eat a well-balanced diet that provides you with essential vitamins. Many vitamins are extremely important for your eyes, skin, and overall health. It is better to get vitamins from your diet, but you can also take supplements to increase your intake of certain vitamin quickly.
To treat dry eyes, be sure to get enough of vitamin E, A, and C. You can get vitamin A from foods, such as the liver of chicken, pork, duck, duck eggs, eggs, and milk, whereas sunflowers, peanuts, sesame, and beans sprouts are good sources of vitamin E. You can get vitamin C from peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, lemons, grapefruit, and oranges.
3. Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep deprivation can hurt you in more ways than you can imagine. It is also important for the health of your eyes. Be sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night or else you will develop dark circles around your eyes. Your eyes may also become red and tired and eventually lead to a problem like dry eye syndrome.
4. Use Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil is one of the best home remedies for dry eyes. It has fatty acids that provide it with anti-inflammatory properties. Simply take a cotton ball, soak it in coconut oil, and apply to your closed eyelids. Leave it there for at least 15 minutes. Repeat several times a day for relief.
5. Try Warm Compresses
The use of warm compresses may help promote the production of tears by increasing circulation in the eyelids. Dry eyes may be the result of clogged meibomian glands, but warm compresses can help open them up. Take some hot water, soak a towel in it, and then remove excess water. Close your eyelids and place the towel over them for 10 minutes at a time. Repeat several times to get good results.
6. Use Cucumber
Cucumber is always a great remedy for dry, tired eyes because it has a soothing effect. It soothes your tired eyes and also improves the circulation in the eyelids. Simply cut slices of a cucumber and place over your dry eyes for a few minutes to feel fresh.
7. Try Castor Oil
You can use castor oil to reduce your symptoms of dry eyes. It contains the ricinoleic acid that relieves irritation, itching, and burning sensation associated with the dry eyes syndrome. Take pure, organic castor oil in an eyedropper and apply a drop to your eye. Do it twice a day for relief.
8. Make Use of Green Teabags
Green tea is among the best home remedies for dry eyes because it contains polyphenols and antioxidants. Using green teabags on a regular basis may help reduce the feeling of tiredness and improve the health of your eyes. Boil some water and dip tea bags in it. Leave it in there for a few minutes. Take 2 cotton balls and soak them into the tea. Now, place them on to your closed eyelids for 10 minutes. Rinse your eyelids with warm water in the end.
9. Wash Your Eyelids Frequently
It is natural to feel tempted to rub your eyes to relieve the itching sensation, but this can lead to inflammation. A better option would be to wash your eyelids whenever you feel any irritation. Wash your hands and apply a few drops of baby shampoo on your fingertips. Now, use your fingers to massage your closed eyelids for a few seconds. Then, use lukewarm water to rinse your eyelids. Do it at least twice a day for good results.
10. Try Chamomile Tea
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile tea may also help treat your dry eyes. Take 200ml of boiling water and add a teaspoon of dried chamomile to it. Let it steep for 10 minutes and then strain it. Set it aside until it becomes cool. Now, take a cotton ball, dip it in the chamomile mixture, and apply to your eyes. Leave cotton ball in place for 15 minutes. Repeat a few times a day to feel some relief.
11. Drink Plenty of Water
When you have dry eyes, it really helps to increase your intake of water. Keeping your body hydrated should always be your priority in this situation. You can also lower your risk of developing dry eyes by drinking enough water every day. Be sure to drink at least 90oz of water – men should drink at least 125oz of water a day.
When to See a Doctor
While home remedies for dry eyes may really work, you sometimes need to see your doctor to avoid any further complications. You should seek medical attention if you have redness and swelling in your eyes along with severe pain. Here are some other symptoms you should not ignore:
- An eye injury
- Dry mouth
- Joint swelling, pain, and stiffness
- Discharge from the eye
You should also talk to your doctor if your dry eyes persist after a few days of self-care.