Do you often feel like your eyes are too dry? You’re not the only one. More than 16 million Americans suffer from dry eye disease (DED). And while it isn’t that serious of a condition, it can affect your way of life.
Fortunately, you can treat dry eye with a couple of at-home remedies which we’ve broken down for you below:
1. Remember to Blink
Every time we blink, our eyes are lubricated and cleared of debris that can obstruct our vision. Unfortunately, when we’re on the computer, our “blink rate” decreases by about 60 percent. This means that our eyes won’t be able to “wash” themselves with the tear film, a layer that’s spread across the surface of the cornea to ensure that we continue to see correctly.
Remember to blink and take breaks. Follow the 20-20-20 rule every time you’re on the computer — every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something that’s 20 feet in front of you.
2. Drink Water
If you don’t drink at least 2.7 litres of water a day, you will likely suffer from dry eyes. Like our bodies, our eyes need water in order to stay hydrated. Without water, our eyes won’t be able to produce tears, and in turn, they won’t be properly lubricated.
The solution is to ensure your eyes stay moist. Drink a lot of water or eat water-rich foods such as watermelon, celery, and watercress. Do not consider caffeine as an alternative as it can actually cause dehydration.
3. Use a Humidifier
By now, you’ve probably noticed a trend in these remedies for dry eyes — they all involve moisture. The third tip still involves moisture, but it’s more on what you can do about your environment. If your surroundings aren’t ideal (i.e. it’s too dry), there’s a good chance that you’ll suffer from dry eyes sooner or later.
By buying a humidifier, you’ll be able to maintain the ideal indoor humidity levels. That way, your eyes will be well-lubricated at all times. You can also purchase air filters that clean the air and get rid of particles, pollutants, etc. that can trigger dry or irritated eyes.
4. Warm Compress
The oil glands in your eyelids can get clogged, causing dry eyes. To get rid of the clogged oils, run a washcloth under warm water, wring it, and then gently drape it on top of your closed eyes. This can loosen the oils that are clogged inside the glands.
You can apply pressure to the corners of your eyes to force the oils out. You can use a gentle shampoo to get rid of the clogged oils, but be sure to rinse it off so you don’t end up with red, irritated eyes.
5. Wash the Area Around Your Eyes
What’s one part of the body that you probably don’t wash? The answer: the area around your eyes. After all, it’s what products such as serums, cleansers, etc. specifically tell you not to do.
The reason for this, however, is not that you shouldn’t clean the area around your eyes. You can clean it as long as you use a gentle solution, such as a cleanser. By massaging the area around your eyes with the cleanser, you’ll be able to get rid of the dirt that can cause dry or irritated eyes. You’ll also be able to wash the crust away from your eyelashes.
6. Eat Foods With Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Eat a lot of fish if you don’t want to suffer from dry eyes. Fish and fish oils contain omega-3, an acid that can lower the chances of inflammation, irritation, and more. Omega-3 is a natural anti-inflammatory nutrient that can help with dry eye.
Add fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and more to your home’s menu. And while supplements work, it would be better to take the nutrient in its natural form. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you intend to take an omega-3 tablet.
7. Apply Eye Drops
Over-the-counter eye drops can provide relief from dry eyes. With eye drops, you’ll be able to lubricate your eyes in the same way that they’d naturally lubricate themselves with your own tears.
Eye drops can contain preservatives to prevent bacteria, but if possible, buy preservative-free eye drops. If you use eye drops with preservatives too often, you’ll only irritate your eyes.
8. Remove Your Eye Makeup
Don’t go to sleep if you’ve still got makeup on — specifically eye makeup like mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and more. Eye makeup sits on the waterline — this is also where your oil glands are. When you put on eye makeup, you “block” these glands, so don’t be surprised if your eyes feel dry and irritated when you wake up! Don’t forget to use a gentle cleanser to completely clean your eyes before you go to bed.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, all it takes is proper eye care to make sure you don’t continue to suffer from dry eyes. And remember, even though your eyes were designed to be lubricated on their own, it’s your responsibility to ensure they can do what they’re supposed to do.
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