Dry eye occurs when the eyes fail to produce enough tears so as to stay properly lubricated. In certain instances, sufficient tears are usually produced but they are of poor quality and thus they evaporate too quickly. A tear play a very important role in warding off infection, promoting clear vision and also keeps the front surfaces of the eye healthy.
Having dry eyes might be painful and uncomfortable. When left untreated, the condition can lead to damages to the cornea, pain and loss of vision.
Causes of Dry Eye
Although dry eye is most prevalent among adults over 65 years old, the condition still affects people of all ages.
Below are some of the common causes:
- Use of medications like antihistamines, birth control pills, antidepressants, nasal decongestants, and blood pressure medicines
- Use of hormone replacement therapies
- Allergies
- Infrequent blinking as a result of staring at video or computer screens for a long period of time
- Long-term use of contact lenses
- Complications resulting from lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and several other autoimmune disorders
- Chronic conjunctivitis
To date, scientific evidences support the claim that there’s no alternative medicine that can treat dry eye. However, there are still several natural remedies that can be used to overcome this complication. Therefore, do you have dry eyes? Here are some natural remedies:
Good Eye Practices
The way that you care for your eyelids and eyes can have effects on tear production as well the quality of the tears which lubricates your eyes. You should practice below techniques regularly so as to reverse the dry eye symptoms:
- Apply a warmer compress to the eyes. This may help to unplug all blocked tear glands.
- Clean your eyelids using a mild wash. You should use an over-the-counter eyelid wash or even water mixed together with baby shampoo and then gently massage the base of the eyelashes keeping the eyes closed.
- Blink often. Blinking usually spreads fluids across the surface of the eyeballs. You should make a point of blinking regularly more so when reading, watching television or when you’re using a computer.
- Wear sunglasses so as to protect the eyes from sunlight. Long term exposure to the sun could cause dryness or even make it worse.
Change Your Environment
In case the environmental factors are the cause of your eyes drying out, a few small changes might make a big difference. You should avoid smoking or even being around people who usually smoke. Windy conditions will also dry the eyes thus you should stay indoors when it is windy, or wear protective eye gear.
Use appropriate eye wear so as to protect the eyes from wind whenever you engage in certain activities such as riding a motorcycle or bike, skiing or even riding in a convertible.
Supplement Your Diet with Fatty Acids
Research shows that eating more of the omega-3 fatty acids might relieve certain symptoms of the dry eyes. This kind of fat is known to be effective in reducing inflammation within the body. It helps relieve the dry eyes by reducing eye inflammation, and allowing for more production of tears. You can also use omega-3 supplements or even eat more foods that are rich in the nutrient, such as:
- flax seed oil and ground flax seed
- palm oil
- chia seeds
- soybean oil
- fatty fish, including sardines, mackerel, salmon, and tuna
- walnuts
- eggs which have been supplemented with the omega-3 fats
Try Ointments or Drops
There are several non-prescription products that can be used for dry eyes and they may bring you relief. Artificial tears (eye drops) can bring temporary relief to someone. Keep in mind that certain drops contain preservatives. In case your eyes react badly to them, you should use non-preservative drops.
Ointments are thicker as compared to drops and they have been designed to coat the eyeball. They also provide a longer-term relief from the dryness. Ointments are capable of impairing your vision while you are using them. As a result, it is best to make use of them before bedtime and then stick to the drops over the day.
Conclusion
Dry eyes are a natural or temporary part of aging for the majority of people. However, in some cases, the condition might be caused by something that’s more serious. In the event of such cases, you should try out the above remedies or better yet, see your doctor if the need arises.
Sourced from: prevention
Photo: Thinkstock/moodboard
