Dry, itchy eyes can make life miserable. It’s hard to concentrate, read or even just relax when your eyes feel like sandpaper.
But if you’re not crazy about the idea of trying a drug for occasional dry eyes, you don’t have to learn to live with them. You can soothe your dry eyes naturally, without chemicals, preservatives or additives.
7 dry eyes solutions that really work
Following are seven simple drug-free solutions to help you ditch those dry eyes that pop up from time to time.
1. Oil your eyes:
Researchers say the omega-3s DHA and EPA could be the key to finally getting rid of annoying dry eyes. Studies show omega-3s slash dry-eye symptoms. In an Indian study, supplementing with omega-3s significantly slashed dry eyes in a group of volunteers who spent long hours staring at computer screens.
You can increase omega-3s in your diet by eating more wild-caught fatty fish including mackerel, sardines, salmon and tuna. Or you can take a fish oil supplement instead.
Look for one that includes both EPA and DHA. Be sure to take them with a meal that contains fat to help increase absorption. And consider taking a vitamin E with mixed tocopherols supplement as well to combat any potential oxidation.
2. Water your body:
It may seem too simple to be true, but staying hydrated really CAN combat dry eyes. Because if you happen to be susceptible to itchy dry eyes even mild dehydration can trigger an episode. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water during the day.
3. Bat your eyelashes:
Sure blinking is an involuntary response. But it turns out we unconsciously blink far less often when we’re staring at a digital screen. And less blinking means, of course, you run the risk of ending up with a case of dry eyes.
The solution? If you’re going to be spending some time in front of a computer screen, simply bat those beautiful eyelashes more often. A few more blinks every minute could keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable.
4. Take 20:
It’s important to give your eyes a break from time to time. No matter whether you’re reading a real page-turner, surfing the net or losing yourself in a knitting marathon you could end up with dry eyes if you don’t rest your peepers.
We’ve written about the 20-20-20 rule before. It turns out it’s not just good for easing eye strain, it can help combat dry eyes too. Every twenty minutes, look at something twenty feet away from you, for twenty seconds.
5. Don eye armor:
Wind, dust and sunlight pose a triple threat to your sensitive eyes. Any one of them alone could trigger a bout of dry eyes. And when the show up together dry, itchy eyes are nearly impossible to avoid. Well, that is unless you don some eye armor.
Never leave the house without your sunglasses, even on overcast days. They can help protect your eyes from all three, and head off dry eyes before they even start.
For best results, choose a pair that blocks 100 percent of the UVA and UVB rays. If you can find a sporty pair that wraps around the sides of your head, that’s even better.
6. Water your air:
It’s not surprising that dry air can dry your eyes out too. But most of us still overlook this obvious trigger, as well as the equally as obvious solution. Dig that old humidifier out of the closet.
A humidifier will keep the air in your house moist, and your dry eyes comfortable. It’s especially important to humidify your home during the fall and winter when the heat is running.
7. Keep them clean:
Your eyelashes latch onto everything from makeup particles to pollutants. After all that’s their job.
But when debris and bacteria build up on them that can cause your eyes to become irritated and dry. Keep them clean by treating yourself to a soothing warm compress every night.
Dip a wash cloth in warm, but not hot, water and gently lay the cloth across your eyes. Leave the compress on until it starts to cool. This will loosen any particles that are clinging to your lashes and lids. Follow up with a gentle cleanser to remove them safely.
For occasional dry eyes, drugs aren’t your only option. Try a simple natural solution to soothe the scratch first.
Healthier Talk
We believe that everyone has good ideas about how best to care for our loved ones and ourselves. Many of our contributors are doctors that have spent their life’s work invested in the health and well being of the human body and mind. Some have spent their lives tirelessly researching health and the human body, developing new vitamins and products dedicated to making people healthier.
Others are ordinary people that have natural family cures passed down from generations, or discovered an inexpensive home remedy out of necessity or even by accident.
So Healthier Talk not only offers professional advice and solutions, but also provides much sought after natural family cures and at-home remedies, right at your fingertips!
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