Living with dry eye is an unfortunately common experience. For those older than 50, there are almost 5 million struggling with the disease.
The number increases if you take the younger population into account as well. Even though it is such a prevalent condition, there is hope.
Dry eye can be treated with professional medical help. But there is also quite a bit you can do about dry eye syndrome on your own time. Keep reading for a few tips and tricks to naturally treat dry eye!
1. Hydrate
To produce enough tears, your body needs a surplus of water. When you become dehydrated, tears are one of the first things to go.
Your body needs to conserve water for other more critical functions. If you want to avoid dry eye or reduce the symptoms, drink enough water!
The problem is enough water for one person may not be enough for someone else. At the very least, aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
It’s easy to remember and it’s a good goal to keep in the back of your mind. If it doesn’t feel like enough water and you still feel thirsty, try to drink more water.
2. Eat The Right Diet
Food can also have a large impact on dry eye and your vision in general. Omega-3 fatty acids which are commonly found in fatty fish help reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a big source of dry eye and exacerbates the worst symptoms of it.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that are found in eggs and leafy greens such as kale or spinach. Eating enough of these foods can help promote healthy cell structures.
Incorporating vitamins C and E into your diet will also help your eyes and your immune system. Vitamin C is easy to find in citrus fruits, but you can also find it in cooked spinach and other sources.
Vitamin E is another antioxidant that protects the cells in your eyes. It can be found in various nuts and seeds, as well as sweet potato and wheat.
Zinc helps to produce a certain protective pigment for your eyes. This pigment protects against infection. You can find zinc in a wide variety of meats and dairy such as salmon, beef, pork, oysters, yogurt, milk, and eggs.
3. Clean Your Home Often
Having dust and allergens in your home can cause constant irritation to your eyes. Dusting and vacuuming to avoid the buildup of these things can help more than you might think.
A good tip is to dust using a moist towel rather than a dry duster. The irritants will cling to the towel, rather than become airborne. If you suffer from allergies, this can make a big difference!
4. Buy The Right Appliances
Certain appliances can help you improve your home to fight dry eye. Increasing the humidity with humidifiers will give your eyes a hydration boost.
Having a humidifier will also stop your tears from evaporating too quickly. Using an air filter removes pollen and pet dander from the air, reducing irritation to your eyes.
Medical Options
Natural remedies may not be enough to stop your dry eye. If you’re not finding relief, you may need to see a doctor.
Schedule an appointment with Takle Eye in Griffin, GA to get relief for your dry eye symptoms!
