Blink, blink again. Feeling itching and burning! Is it painful and red? Try simple home remedies for dry eyes before planning for an ophthalmologist visit.
The gift of sight
Everything in our world is created with a marvelous balance, any disturbance in this balance system makes uncomfortable conditions.
Our eyes are full of tears that help us see properly and protect them. An imbalance in tears flow or disturbance in surrounding conditions may cause dry eyes to annoy you and affect your daily activities.
Do not worry, Adopting lifestyle changes or seeking simple home remedies for dry eyes is a good first step toward treating this disease.
Symptoms that are relieved by simple home remedies for dry eyes
If you feel stinging sensations or may even feel like there is a foreign body in their eye when there is not, If your eye is red, painful, produces a discharge, and computer use makes the symptoms worse. You might have dry eyes.
Testing and diagnosis are required to understand the underlying cause of your condition.
However, in the meantime, you may be able to find relief yourself with these simple home remedies for dry eyes, but first, you must understand how your eyes become moist and how they are dry now!
What causes dry eyes and how to reverse them using simple home remedies for dry eyes?
Tears consist of:
Water, (for moisture).
Oils, (for lubrication).
Mucus, (for even spreading). Antibodies, and special proteins that keep infection away.
The ingredients come from special glands around the eye. A dry eye means that your tear system is not working well.
The most common cause of dry eye is not having enough tears to lubricate the eyeballs which may be due to:
Medical conditions
- Diseases that affect your ability to make tears, like Sjogren's syndrome.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Collagen vascular diseases.
- Autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes.
- Vitamin deficiencies.
These chronic cases need chronic care by simple home remedies for dry eyes.
Environmental factors
Such As low humidity, high winds, dust, air conditioning, or heat and smoke can cause temporary dryness and irritation.
Certain medications
- Antihistamines.
- Nasal decongestants.
- Drugs to lower blood pressure.
- Hormone therapy.
- Oral contraceptives.
- Acne medication.
- Anti-depressants/anti-psychotics.
- Medications for Parkinson’s disease.
Risk factors for dry eyes
- If you have advanced age; 65 and over.
- Being a female (using makeup, mascara, eyeliner; their particles may block the opening of glands at the base of eyelashes).
- Frequently use contact lenses.
- Smoking.
- Low blink rate due to prolonged screen time.
You may find some relief if you go with simple home remedies for dry eyes.
Simple home remedies for dry eyes
1- Clean your eyelids and lashes
You can do this by using warm water and the baby shampoo, or a special eyelid cleanser; gently clean your upper and lower eyelids.
2- Eye massage
Close your eyes, massage your upper lid by rolling down a cotton swab toward lashes and eye edges or roll your index finger in a circular motion.
massage your lower lids by rolling your swab or finger up toward your lash line.
Repeat this 5-10 times. This can push the inflamed melted oil out of the glands.
3- Warm your eyes
Apply a warm wet cotton pad to the area for 30 seconds up to 4 minutes twice daily if you have symptoms and once a day for protection.
This can melt the inflamed hardened oil in the oil gland. so it can flow again. It is one tip of simple home remedies for dry eyes.
4- Add moisture
Using houseplants, putting bowls of water on various surfaces around, or using a humidifier; add moisture to your room air, especially during the winter. This will avoid your quick dryness.
5- Lessen your screen time and blink more
Using your computer, smartphone, or tablet can dry out your eyes. That’s because you blink less when your eyes are fixed on a screen. So try to set a reminder on your screen to blink often.
Another trick is to make your eye level above the screen, so you will not open your eye widely, which may help slow tear evaporation between blinks.
This tip with other simple home remedies for dry eyes protects your eyes from chronic dryness.
6- Eat (naturally) oily fish
Research suggests that eating healthy fats help the oil-making glands in your eye work better, which can ease irritation.
Foods naturally high in omega-3 fats include salmon and tuna, sardines, trout, mackerel walnuts, vegetable oils (like canola and soybean oil), and flaxseed. You can also take omega-3 fatty acids pills as a supplement.
Vitamins D, E, A, C, and also B6, B12, B9 are also considered vital for eye health.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start any new supplement, to not affect any conditions you have or the medicines you take.
However other easy and simple home remedies for dry eyes will not harm you but protect your eyes in the long run.
7- Drink more water and less alcohol
Of course, you know the effect of drinking water on overall health, but you may not know that low water intake harms your eyes too. One to two liters of water a day will help.
Water lubricates eyes, produces tears, clears out debris, blinks comfortably, makes you focus, and even see without straining.
On the contrary, drinking alcohol causes dehydration which contributes to dryness in your eyes, stop it and see!
8- Stop smoking / avoid smoking areas
Cigarette smoke has lots of irritant chemicals to the eyes. In addition, it changes the composition of your tears, which can cause more dry eyes. So smokers have double the risk of dry eyes.
If you’re a smoker, consider quitting. If you are not, try to avoid environments rich in heavy smoking.
In both cases, you need simple home remedies for dry eyes to relieve pain and protect your eyes from these smokes.
9- Get more sleep
Scientists say that lack of sleep robs your eyes of tears. Sleeping for 7-8 hours may help.
If you have sleep problems, there are some suggestions:
- Set a bedtime routine, and go to bed at the same time every night.
- Set a dark and quiet comfortable sleep environment.
- If you exercise, do it in the morning instead of the evening.
10- Protect your eyes from drying air or wind
- outdoor:
Wearing Wraparound Sunglasses protects your eyes from drying winds that evaporate tears more quickly.
- Indoor:
Avoid air directed towards your eye from fans, air conditioners, or hairdryers.
11- Over the counter artificial tears eye drop as one of the simple home remedies for dry eyes
OTC eye drops work just like your own tears. It keeps the surface of your eyes moist.
There are many different brands. Some have preservatives added so they last longer, but try to choose non-preservative eye drops to protect your eyes from more irritation.
Thicker ointments are also available.
Anti-redness, Anti-allergic eye drops, over time, can irritate your eyes more.
When to see your doctor?
Sometimes, dry, red, or irritated eyes come and go and can be alleviated by simple home remedies for dry eyes.
If you have a medical problem that needs more than just drops and doesn't go away, See your doctor.
Summary
Simple home remedies for dry eyes are easily applicable. These remedies not only decrease pain, soreness and improve your quality of life but also may protect you from more harm to your eyes.
If the dryness persists or more problems appeared, contact your optometrist.
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