Do you experience symptoms such as dry eyes, eye fatigue, stinging or visual disturbances? Have you ever wondered whether there are any natural remedies for dry eye?
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a condition that has increased in recent years with our modern lifestyles. It is one of the most common reasons for visiting an ophthalmologist, after sight testing. It is a disease that can directly impact quality of life.
There are 3 types of dry eye: evaporative dry eye, aqueous deficiency dry eye and mixed dry eye.
Usually, a person suffers from dry eye when their tears are of poor quality and/or they do not produce enough of them. As a result, the surface of the eye becomes irritated and inflamed, and certain symptoms may occur.
Many factors can worsen or cause dry eye. From age, make-up, taking medication, eye surgeries and eye drop preservatives to screens, dry eyes can affect everyone.
To treat it, there are also many treatments that may be complementary. Today, we are going to talk about natural remedies that can help relieve and improve your dry eyes.
Some natural remedies for dry eyes
Chamomile
Chamomile is a plant with many benefits. It is primarily known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Application instructions: You can make a chamomile infusion then simply soak two cotton pads and leave them to rest on the eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.
Cornflower water
Cornflower water provides instant relief from dry eyes. It soothes and hydrates the eyes by acting on eye fatigue.
Application instructions: Apply cornflower water to cotton pads and leave them on your eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.
Castor oil
Castor oil is one of the bases of many eye drops because it helps retain water. It helps prevent tear evaporation and therefore reduce dry eye.
Application instructions: Apply eye drops containing castor oil in the evening before sleeping. Caution: it is advisable not to wear contact lenses within 12 hours after application.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s helps improve the quality of tears by providing lipids. A sufficient amount of oil in tears limits tear evaporation and keeps the eye hydrated.
Application instructions: They are found in many foods, particularly in fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel, and in certain oils, primarily vegetable oils such as rapeseed, nut and flaxseed oils.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency can cause dry eye, but that is not all. Vitamin A helps to heal the cornea and thus prevent irritation.
Application instructions: You can use it in an ointment or eye drops rich in vitamin A, dietary supplements or by incorporating it into your diet with foods such as liver, dairy products and eggs, coloured vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, peppers, mango and melon.
Everyday routines
Many natural everyday routines can help improve dry eyes.
Here are some tips:
- Perform regular eyelid hygiene. Start by removing make-up and then heating your eyelids with a warming mask or warm compresses for 10-15 minutes. Then massage your eyelids to remove the poor quality meibum. Lastly, clean the edges of your eyelids with dry eye wipes.
- Protect your eyes from external influences. Wind, sun and smoke are all factors of dry eye. Remember to wear glasses when you can to avoid drying your eyes.
- Limit your screen time. This is very harmful to your eyes and can dry them. When looking at a screen, our eyes tend to blink less making them drier. Remember to take regular breaks from screens.
- Wear glasses rather than contact lenses. If they are not suitable, contact lenses can cause dry eye. They can use your natural tears to hydrate them which automatically dries the eyes.
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM DRY-EYE ISSUES, DO NOT HESITATE TO SEE AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST.
