3 Ways To Treat Dry Eyes Naturally

Many people suffer from dry eyes. This condition can occur due to a variety of reasons. It can be due to your environment, habits you’ve formed or even genetic traits!

Approximately 16 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome. The number of undiagnosed cases is likely even higher than that. It is often estimated that over half of Americans actually deal with this issue.

While the numbers may seem overwhelming, many cases of dry eye are actually simple to treat. You may even be able to manage your symptoms in some cases. Here are some of the best ways to treat your dry eyes naturally.

1. Watch Your Diet and Drink More Water

The way you eat and drink is important to just about every aspect of your health, which includes vision. It even plays an important role if you have dry eyes.

Tears have three components: oil, mucus, and water. Given the amount of water in a tear, it should be no surprise that staying hydrated is important.

The amount of water you need to consume to be well hydrated depends on certain factors. This includes your size, age, and gender.

A good rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water each day, but you may need to modify and increase your fluid intake if you are exercising, pregnant, or breastfeeding or you live at high altitude or in a place where the weather is hot and humid.

Food for eye nutrition is a little more complicated. Your eyes need a lot of different nutrients to stay healthy. This includes antioxidants, zinc, and various vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important and can be found in foods like walnuts and fish with high-fat content. You can also take supplements if you find it hard to incorporate these into your diet.

2. Clean Your Living Space

Removing irritating particles from your living space is a good idea. The problem is that it can be difficult to do this using traditional methods without exacerbating dry eye symptoms.

Dry dusters and vacuums can disturb dust and allergens. This makes them airborne, where they can get in your eyes.

Consider using a damp cloth instead, which will cause particles to cling to the surface of the rag as you wipe down surfaces. This is better than the dust getting in the air!

3. Use A Humidifier or Air Purifier

It may not be as “natural” but investing in a humidifier is a good idea. Using a humidifier or an air purifier will add more moisture to the air. When there’s more moisture in the air, your eyes may not get as dry.

Avoid cigarette spoke and consider investing in an air purifier. An air purifier will collect and filter out airborne irritants throughout the day, further reducing your exposure.

When Self-Care is Not Enough

Sometimes, dry eye is caused by underlying issues that only a professional can handle. If you have recurring symptoms of dry eye that you can’t take care of, contact Washington Eye in Chevy Chase, MD to schedule an appointment before the issue becomes worse.

Together we can find a treatment that works for you!