Dry Eyes Will Be a Thing of the past with These Remedies
Dry eyes occur when your tears do not
provide enough lubrication for your eyes. This condition causes a lot of
discomfort and produces several signs and symptoms. Such signs and
symptoms include a stinging or burning sensation in the eyes, stringy
mucus in or around the eyes, eyelids stuck together when waking up, an
increased sensitivity to light, red and sore eyes, a sensation that
something is stuck in your eye, difficulty driving at night, blurred
vision, or eye fatigue.
Dry eyes can be caused by medical and
environmental factors, usually due to a lack of adequate tears - not
tears as a result of crying, but rather tears that are produced by your
tear glands with the sole purpose of keeping the surface of your eyes
smooth and clear, as well as protecting your eyes from infection.
Your tear glands may produce inadequate
tears for a number of reasons: aging, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,
lupus, scleroderma, thyroid disorders, vitamin A deficiency, certain
medications, laser eye surgery, and tear gland damage as a result of
inflammation or radiation.
Sometimes, an increase in tear evaporation or some sort of imbalance in
the composition of your tears can also lead to this problem. This can be
as a result of wind exposure, smoky or dry air, high altitudes, reduced
blinking when concentrating, and some eyelid problems. In short, there
are many reasons why you might be suffering from dry eye syndrome.
Certain risk factors increase your chances of having dry eyes. Such
factors include being above 50, being a woman (due to hormonal changes),
chronic allergies, sleeping with partly open eyes, wearing contact
lenses, and eating a diet which is low in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty
acids.
Luckily, there are many natural home remedies that can be used to treat
this uncomfortable eye condition.
Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of dry eyes naturally:
1. Frequent Eyelid Washing
Dry Eyes -
Those who suffer from dry eyes constantly rub their eyes. This should be
avoided as it just leads to more inflammation. To relieve this
discomfort, while maintaining proper eye hygiene at the same time, it is
recommended that you wash your eyelids a few times a day.
Method:
1. Place a few drops of baby shampoo on your clean fingertips or on a
cloth.
2. With closed eyes, gently massage your eyelids at the base of your
eyelashes.
3. Rinse the soap off completely using lukewarm water.
4. Do this one or two times a day.
2. Warm Compress
This is a very comfortable way of dealing with dry eyes. The heat from
the compress increases blood circulation and promotes the formation of
tears. This will soothe any irritation and provide relief from the
annoying symptoms.
Method:
1. Soak a clean and lint-free cloth in hot water and wring out any
excess water.
2. Place this warm, moist cloth over your closed eyelids for around 10
minutes at a time (no longer).
3. Give your eyes a nice rinse with some lukewarm water.
4. Repeat twice a day until your symptoms have subsided.
3. Castor Oil
The ricinoleic acid in the castor oil acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
that relieves the irritation, itching, burning, and pain that is
associated with the condition. The oil can also help decrease tear
evaporation.
Method:
1. Purchase some pure, organic, hexane-free castor oil.
2. Using an eyedropper, place a drop of the oil in each eye.
4. Eat More Foods Rich in Omega-3
Dry Eyes - 
Dry eyes may be due to a lack of essential fatty acids in your diet,
especially omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s reduce inflammation and
stimulate tear production. Furthermore, these fatty acids are a very
important component of fat molecules, which help keep your eyes healthy.
Method:
Include foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
Such foods include fatty fish and fish oils, ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil, sesame seeds, chia seeds, almonds, and walnuts.
You can also take omega-3 supplements (consult your doctor
beforehand).
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can play a key role in reducing the irritating symptoms of
dry eyes, as it forms a protective layer over the tear film layers to
reduce tear evaporation. Furthermore, it has anti-inflammatory
properties that reduce the discomfort that's inevitably caused by dry
eyes.
Method:
1. Soak a cotton ball in coconut oil.
2. Place on your closed eyelids for 15 minutes.
3. Repeat this at regular intervals throughout the day.
6. Blinking Exercise
Regular blinking can help moisten the eyes, reducing the symptoms of dry
eyes.
Perform this blinking exercise 5 times every day for a few weeks. You
can then reduce the frequency to 4 times a day.
Method:
1. Close your eyes and count to 2.
2. Squeeze your eyelids together and count to 2 again.
3. Open your eyes and count to 2 once more.
This will help wash your eyes with a fresh layer of tears.
7. Turn on the Humidifier
Dry Eyes - 
Using a humidifier, especially during the winter, can help prevent dry
eyes. The central heating system in your home dries the air out, which
can aggravate the symptoms of dry eyes. Therefore, turning the
humidifier on can add some much needed moisture to the air - this, in
turn, will provide moisture for your eyes.
If you do not have a humidifier, you can simply place a pan of water in
front of your heat vent. Furthermore, if you add plants to the room,
they will help increase the moisture in the air through transpiration.
The best plants for this purpose include the peace lily, areca palm, and
Boston fern.
8. Rose Water
Rose water is another great remedy for dry eyes as it acts as a natural
relaxer for tired and strained eyes, which can lead to the formation of
poor tears. Furthermore, rose water contains vitamin A, a deficiency of
this is linked to dry eyes.
Method:
1. Dip some cotton in rose water and apply it to your closed eyelids.
2. Leave for about 10 minutes.
3. Repeat 2 to 3 time a day.
9. Aloe Vera
Dry Eyes - 
Thanks to its alkaline nature, aloe vera gel works as a great home
remedy for dry eyes. Not only does it help moisturize your eyes, but it
has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness, swelling,
and inflammation.
Method:
1. Rinse an aloe vera leaf and extract the gel.
2. Place the extracted gel on some tissue paper and gently wipe it on
the outside of your eyelids.
3. Leave it there for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with some lukewarm water.
5. Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day.
Note: Do not put aloe vera directly into your eyes!
10. Massage
Massaging your eyelids will stimulate your tear glands and will help
prevent dry eyes. A massage will even improve blood circulation to your
eyes and will relax the muscles surrounding them.
Method:
1. Place a few drops of olive oil or coconut oil on your fingertips.
2. Gently rub the oil over your closed eyelids and massage for a few
minutes.
3. Place your palms over your eyelids and cover them completely for
another couple of minutes.
4. Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day.
Additional Tips
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of this annoying
condition, so make sure to increase your fluid intake to keep your body
hydrated.
Take plenty of breaks when using the computer, reading or watching
TV.
Try to stay indoors when it is windy.
Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Acidic foods can aggravate the symptoms of dry eyes, so avoid such
foods until your symptoms have disappeared altogether.
Avoid dry environments as dry air acts as an irritant.