Dry eyes occur when tear glands do not make enough tears or tears dry out quickly. Dry eyes can cause irritation and stinging. Home remedies for dry eyes include techniques to lubricate the eyes. These natural remedies work to provide instant relief by lubricating the eyes.
Highlights
- Dry eyes can be prevented and treated using natural home remedies to stimulate tears production and hydrate the eyes.
- Warm compression and rinsing eyes with mild shampoo can help remove clogging and irritants.
- For permanently curing dry eyes, eat vitamins and a healthy, fat-rich diet.
Best Home Remedies for Dry Eyes
The natural remedies to provide instant relief from dry eyes and blurred vision include the following;
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Clean your Eyelids
Cleaning eyelids and lashes with an eye cleaner can help moisten the eyes. This reduces dryness of the eyes majorily caused by blepharitis. It is the blockage of oil glands located at the edges of eyelids due to dirt and debris deposition. Rinsing eyelids with a mild shampoo cleans the eyes and reduce irritation.
How to do clean eyelids
- Take a mild baby shampoo or eye cleaner.
- Close your eyelids and mildly rub the cleaner on the upper and lower eyelids.
- Rinse your eyes with warm water. Repeat the procedure regularly to treat dry eyes overnight.
You can talk to an ophthalmologist for a prescription use of artificial tears to prevent and treat dry eyes.
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Warm Compression for Dry eyes
Warm compression is used to rinse the eyes and increase blood flow to the eyes. Heated compression can also soothe eye irritation by reducing inflammation.
One of the essential components of tears is oil. The oil glands become clogged during dry eyes. Hence, warm compression improves the functioning of oil glands as it loses the clogged glands. Warm compression for dry eyes slows the evaporation of tears as well.
How to do warm compression
- Take a clean wet towel and heat it in the microwave. You can also dip the towel in hot water.
- Apply the towel to the eyelids for 5-10 minutes.
- Reheat the towel if it gets cold.
- Repeat the process many times a day to moisturize the eyes naturally.
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Foods to help Dry eyes
A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help treat dry eyes. Omega-3-containing diet can reduce inflammation and increase the quanity of tears produced.
Omega-3 rich diet for dry eyes includes;
- Fish (Salmon)
- Flaxseeds
- Soybean
- Broccoli
Also Read: Flaxseed benefits for dry eyes
Dry eyes have been associated with vitamin D deficiency as well. A vitamin D-rich diet reduces inflammation and dry eye syndrome symptoms. Vitamin D supplementation also increases the efficiency of lubricating eye drops.
Vitamin- D rich foods include;
- Dairy products
- Beef liver
- Chia seeds
Studies also support the fact that consuming a healthy diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals keeps the eyes moisturized.
How to consume
- Add vitamin D and omega-3-rich meat and leafy vegetables to your daily meals.
- Seeds like chia seeds and flaxseeds can be taken with water.
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Hydration improves Dry eyes naturally
Water plays an important role in maintaining the functioning of the body including the eyes. Dehydration affects the removal of wastes from our bodies and can cause eye strains and dryness.
Keeping your body hydrated can increase the tears production by lacrimal glands and keeps the eyes moist. Hydration also aids in the removal of clogged dust and irritants around the eyelids.
Consuming 6-8 glasses of water daily is recommended by the Canadian Association of Optometrists to prevent and cure dry eyes naturally.
Note: A variety of juices and drinks can be used as a substitute for water to keep yourself hydrated but avoid using caffeine due to its diuretic effect.
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Blinking help Dry eyes
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, an average individual blinks 15 times a minute. Make it double for you if you have dry eyes.
Blinking helps open the clogged tear glands and spread the film of tears over the eye’s surface. Blinking also renews the tear film of the eyes which helps in keeping the eyes moisturized and prevents them from irritants as well.
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Humidifer is Good for Dry eyes
One of the best home remedies for dry eyes is using a humidifier. The incidence of dry eyes is increased in a dry environment with low humidity. This causes a decrease in tear production resulting in dry eyes.
The easiest and best remedy for dry eyes is too long exposure to dry air. Also, avoid using a hair dryer if you have severe eye irritation due to decreased tear production.
A humidifier works by;
- Increasing tear film stability
- Reducing evaporation of tears
- Keeps the eyes moisturized due to humidity in the air.
How to use
- Install a humidifier in the room especially at night because eye irritation worsens during the morning.
- Use distilled water for humidifier
- Clean and change the filters of the humidifier regularly
Read: Benefits of ice packs for dry eyes
Other lifestyle modifications for dry eyes
The following changes in everyday life can help prevent and treat dry eyes caused due to environmental or internal factors.
- Stop smoking
- Take sufficient rest
- Reduce screen time
- Wear sunglasses when exposed to dust and irritants
- Get enough sleep
- Over-the-counter artificial tear drops
- Gels and ointments
What causes dry eyes?
Dry eyes syndrome results in itchy and gritty eyes due to a lack of tear production. Major causes of dry eyes include;
- Certain medications like anti-histamines
- Frequent use of lens
- Dry or less humid air
- Old age
Conclusion
Dry eyes occur due to insufficient tears production or early evaporation of the tears. Several easy home remedies for dry eyes immediately moisturize the eyes and enhance tear production. Rinse your eyes regularly to avoid clogging of oil which is an important component of tears. Eat a vitamin-rich diet and drink sufficient water to moisturize your eyes.
If home remedies do not work, consult an eye specialist for treating dry eyes with lubricating medicines that replenish aqueous fluid.
FAQs
1. How to cure dry eyes permanently?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying stress-free can cure dry eyes permanently. Frequent use of OTC artificial tears can also help cure dry eyes instantly.
2. How to make homemade eye drops for dry eyes?
Castor oil eye drops are used for treating dry eyes. Castor oil improves the symptoms of dry eyes by reducing tear evaporation and stabilizing tear production.
3. Can dry eyes be cured naturally?
Consuming an omega-3-rich diet and keeping your body hydrated can help prevent dry eyes. The symptoms of dry eyes like irritation, itching, and stinging can also be reduced by using OTC artificial tears.