Do you experience stinging, burning, or scratching in your eyes? What about a stringy mucus around the eyes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or eye fatigue? Each of these symptoms is a sign of dry eyes, according to Mayo Clinic. Dry eyes can be caused by allergies, staring at the computer too long, dry air, wind, diabetes, hormonal changes, or any number of other causes, says Health.com.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains dry eye becomes more prevalent as you age. In fact, 3.2 million women over age 50 and 1.68 men over age 50 suffer from dry eye. Your doctor may prescribe eye drops, but before you start stocking up on prescriptions, try these home remedies for dry eyes.
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1. Warm washcloth. To control inflammation that blocks the flow of oil to the eyes, wash your eyes and eyelids frequently. To do this, Mayo Clinic recommends holding a cloth treated with warm water over the eyes for five minutes. You can dab a bit of baby shampoo or mild soap to the cloth and massage your eyelids to cleanse the eyes.
2. Salmon and flaxseed. Eating more flaxseeds, salmon, sardines, and other foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can relieve dry eye symptoms, reports Mayo Clinic.
3. Humidifier. Sleeping with a humidifier can be a simple lifestyle change that makes a monumental difference for dry eyes, reports Prevention.
4. Cucumber. The old movie stars were doing something right when they lounged with cucumbers over their eyelids. According to Organic Facts, applying freshly chilled cucumber slices to the eyelids has a refreshing, numbing effect.
5. Lavender oil. Organic Facts recommends mixing a few drops of lavender oil in one cup of water. Dip a cloth in the solution and press it to the eyes for a soothing effect.
6. Cold milk. To relax the eyes and reduce strain, dip a cotton ball in cold milk. Press it to the closed eye for a full ten minutes, as recommended by Organic Facts.
7. Grapes. Organic Facts reports a study by the University of Miami, which found a diet rich in grapes supports eye health and prevents dry eye.
8. Avoid tomatoes, vinegar, and tamarind. These foods, high in acids, can aggravate symptoms of dry eye, says Organic Facts. To prevent the condition, limit your intake of acidic foods and instead eat a diet rich in fatty acids, grapes, and leafy greens.
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