What is dry eye? Dry eye occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly, or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly. This can be relieved easily with simple home remedies for dry eyes or Natural Dry Eye Medication.
In addition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with dry itchy eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea (1), and some loss of vision.
Dry itchy eye can make it more difficult to perform some activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period of time, and it can decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as the air inside an airplane. But Eye dryness can be trated with these simple home remedies for dry eyes.
Best simple home remedies for dry eyes and what causes dry eyes and dry eye relief
What are the types of dry eye?
1) Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye is a disorder in which the lacrimal glands (2) fail to produce enough of the watery component of tears to maintain a healthy eye surface.
2) Evaporative dry eye may result from inflammation of the meibomian glands (3), also located in the eyelids. These glands make the lipid or oily part of tears that slows evaporation and keeps the tears stable.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Dry eye symptoms may include any of the following:
- stinging or burning of the eye
- episodes of excess tears following very dry eye periods
- a stringy discharge from the eye
- pain and redness of the eye
- episodes of blurred vision
- inability to cry when emotionally stressed
- uncomfortable contact lenses
- decreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention
- eye fatigue
What are the causes of dry eyes?
Dry eye can be a temporary or chronic condition:
- Dry eye can be a side effect of some medications
- Skin disease on or around the eyelids can result in dry eye.
- Diseases of the glands in the eyelids, such as meibomian gland dysfunction, can cause dry eye.
- Dry eye can occur in women who are pregnant.
- Dry eye can also develop after the refractive surgery known as LASIK (4). These symptoms generally last three to six months, but may last longer in some cases.
- Infrequent blinking, associated with staring at computer or video screens, may also lead to dry eye symptoms.
- Both excessive and insufficient dosages of vitamins can contribute to dry eye.
- Dry eye can be associated with immune system disorders such as lupus (5), and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Dry eye can be a symptom of chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelid and covering the front part of the eye, or the lacrimal gland.
- Dry eye may occur from exposure keratitis (6), in which the eyelids do not close completely during sleep.
Simple Home remedies for Dry eyes
Rosewater
Rosewater is among very effective simple home remedies for dry eyes for soothing irritated eyes. It gives cooling effect to the eyes and helps to clear them. You can either rinse your eyes out with pure rosewater and few times a day, or, for instant relief, you can use it as eye drops for instant relief.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This is one of the very nice and simple home remedies for dry eyes help in easing the symptoms of dry eyes. Apply pure aloe gel on the eye lids daily for about 10 days to feel the difference. You can even include aloe juice in your daily diet. Make sure that the aloe does not come into direct contact with the eye.
Green Tea Or Tea Bags
Green tea or tea bags are beneficial for dry eyes. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and polyphenols that are contributed to benefits of green tea including reducing the risk of cancer, preventing heart disease, treating type 2 diabetes and aiding in weight loss. Green tea can treat dry eyes by hydrating your eyes. Dip 2-3 tea bags in 1 cup hot water. Let it soaked for a few minutes. Soak 2 cotton balls into the tea. Place these 2 cotton balls onto your eyelids while you lie on the flat surface. Let it sit on you closed eyelids for 5 to 10 minutes. Use the warm water to rinse your eyelids. very important simple home remedies for dry eyes.
Cucumber
Cucumber work as a treatment for dry eyes because they work to reduce inflammation, swelling, irritation, and puffiness. Wash a cucumber and cut it into thin slices. Place them over your eyes for 10 minutes. Try to do this four to five times a day.
Warm Compress
A very comfortable way of dealing with dry eyes is using a warm compress. The heat from the compress increases blood circulation to the area and promotes the formation of tears. Soak a clean cloth in hot water and wring out the excess water. Hold this warm, moist cloth over your closed eyelids for up to 10 minutes at a time (not more than that). Be sure to rewet the cloth with warm water when it cools. Finally, give your eyes a nice rinse with lukewarm water.
Blinking Exercise
To reduce strain to dry eyes, maximum moisture must be supplied to the eyes. This could be achieved by constant blinking. Blinking will help moisten the eye and also spread the tears to the sides of the eyes.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
By increasing your daily water intake can help ease dry eyes. People who suffer from chronic dehydration are at a higher risk of developing dry eyes compared to those who drink sufficient water.
Chilled Spoons
The cool temperature is effective in constricting the blood vessels and treating dry eyes caused by tiredness. Store four metal spoons in a refrigerator or put them into a glass of ice water for a few minutes. Apply a chilled spoon on each eye. Let it stay for a few minutes. Switch it to another chilled spoon when it gets warm. Continue until you get a significant dry eyes relief from these simple home remedies for dry eyes.
Enough Sleep Time
You are suggested to sleep from seven to eight hours per day, which is the great amount of time to help your eyes to recover after a long and busy day of work and study. If you stay up late, your eyes tend to be sunken and if you lack sleep for a long time, you have a tendency to possess dark circles in your lower lids of the eyes.
Things to Avoid in the Case of Dry Eyes
- Dry Environment: Dry environments should be strictly avoided for people suffering from dry eyes. Dry air acts as an evaporating agent for your existing tears and also acts as an irritant.
- Avoid AC: Staying in air-conditioned environments for a long time can aggravate dry eyes. The air circulating in air conditioning units is drier than natural air and the lack of moisture in the air can worsen the condition of dry eyes.
- Limit Computer Use: While staring at monitors or televisions, people do not often blink their eyes, along with putting a lot of stress on the eyes and causing the eyes to dry up.
- Coffee Consumption: Excessive coffee consumption has been believed to intensify dry eyes in many cases. Coffee is a diuretic and the consumption of diuretics in the long run can cause dry eye syndrome due to general dehydration in the body.
- Acidic Foods: Acidic foods such as tomato products, vinegar, and tamarind can also be attributed to aggravating dry eye syndrome.
- Avoid Smoking: Smokers are much more likely to be affected with dry eyes than non-smokers. Apart from dry eyes, smoking is responsible for several eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
With the above simple home remedies for dry eyes, treatments a person could easily cure dry eyes. Even if you don’t have dry eyes, it’s always good to take good care of your eyes.