Five Easy Dry Eyes Solutions that You Probably Did Not Know

(Photo : Marina Vitale, Unsplash)

Having dry eyes is annoying. Everyone who has experienced this would certainly agree that aside from the irritating itch, it can also cause an accident. Imagine driving at night with blurry eyes on a road with no good lighting source. You might not realize that there might be an obstacle or a crossing human or animal.

Okay, that sounds like an exaggeration, but hypothetically, it is not impossible.

But what causes dry eyes anyway?

Dry eyes, much like what the name suggests, happen when the eyes lack moist. Eyes are naturally moisture and lubricated, thanks to multiple ingredients, namely water, oil, mucus, antibodies, and special proteins. This is collectively known as "tears."

Some people experience dry eyes because of outside factors. Air conditioner and heater are the primary factors, as they dry out the eyes. Long-time exposure to smoke and staring too long at a computer or phone are also other reasons.

But some experience it because of a medical condition called Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or the condition when your eyes are not producing enough tears. Well-known causal factors include:

• Menopause

• Medications (side effects) like antihistamines, decongestants, and drugs for high blood pressure

• Medical conditions like diabetes and vitamin A deficiency

Natural remedies for dry eyes

The effectiveness of ocular lubricants and artificial tears are already proven and highly recommended by eye doctor. But in case of emergency when you cannot access this medication, let's say you are stuck inside your home during a storm surge or you are too busy to visit a pharmacy, the following can be done:

1. Stay hydrated

This is probably the most basic health tip that is applicable even for other conditions. Drinking water helps maintain the moisture of the eyes as well as the rest of the body.

Doctors recommend eight to 10 glasses of water consumption every day. But you can hydrate yourself too by consuming water-rich food like watermelon and cucumber.

2. Warm compress

Stimulating tears production can help ease the problem, and that can be done through warm compress.

Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, squeeze the excess water and put it on your closed eyes for at least a minute. Wet it often to make it stay warm. 

This process is highly suggested to be done every day, even if your eyes are fine.

3. Gentle face cleanser

Sometimes, dirty eyelids can cause dry eyes because it clogs the oil glands. By cleaning it regularly, including the surrounding skin and hair follicles, the inflammation can be controlled.

Get a mild facial cleanser like baby shampoo, and with your eyes shut tightly, rub it into the base of your eyelids gently. Then, wash it off with warm water. It can be done twice daily, once in the morning and once more before going to bed at night.

4. Humidifier and filter

In case your dry eyes are caused by the dry weather, increase the humidity by using a humidifier. 

If it is caused by dust, invest in air cleaner that filters eye-irritating particles. Also, keeping the house clean and dust-free should help.

5. Coconut oil

Swab coconut oil on your eyelids using cotton buds or cotton ball several times a day. This oil is great on trapping the moisture inside your eyes and reducing inflammation and/or swelling.