10 tips to take care of your dry eyes
Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dry eye syndrome is a medical condition of the eyes where the evaporation of the tear film is high or there is low production of the tears. Are you suffering from dry eye syndrome? Check out these 10 tips to treat your dry eyes.
Artificial Tears
You can buy artificial tears without a prescription. Use them according to your needs. If you are using them more than four times a day, it is best to choose one which has no preservatives. It would also be best to try out lubricating gels. However, one of the demerits of these gels is that they are thick and can blur your vision. To prevent this, apply it before you go to sleep.
Prevent Being In Areas with High Air Motion
Do not stay in areas where the fan is on high speed and where there are great winds. Avoid using hair dryers as well. These can lead to drying of your eyes. Use a pair of sunglasses if you really have to go out on a windy day.
Humidifier
In winters, if you heat your house, it could dry the air. So, make sure you use a humidifier. This will add moisture to the atmosphere. You could also keep a vessel of water on the radiator.
Rest Your Eyes
Take regular breaks between prolonged periods of work. This will avoid your eyes from drying due to stress. Also, blink more often which will restore the moisture of your eyes.
Quit Smoking
Did you know that people who smoke are 40% more prone to suffer from dry eye syndrome? If you smoke, it is best to quit.
Releasing Oils On Your Eye Glands
Give warm compresses to your eyes and follow this by washing your eyelids. This will help to release oils in your eye glands. You can use a mild shampoo for the purpose of washing. Ensure that all the soap is washed away properly. Did you know that people who smoke are 40% more prone to suffer from dry eye syndrome? If you smoke, it is best to quit.
Supplement Your Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids are wonderful supplements which will relieve the dryness of your eyes naturally. These can be found in oily fish like anchovies, salmon, and sardines as well as in flax seeds. Refer to your ophthalmologist for a diet chart which is suitable and can treat your medical condition.
Reduce Intake Of Salt From Your Diet
Your eyes could get dry due to excessive intake of salt. The best way to check the effect of salt on your eyes is to wash your eyes when you wake up at night to use the washroom. If you feel that your eyes are dry, then wash them and drink a glass of water. You will feel relieved. This shows that you need to reduce the amount of salt you consume and increase the amount of water you drink daily (9 to 11 glasses a day).
Fennel Seeds
Add a teaspoon of fennel seeds (dried) to about a cup of boiled water and let it stay for about 30 minutes. Soak a cotton pad into this mixture and put them on to your eyelids. This should stay on them for 20 minutes. This will increase the moisture of your eyes and reduce the irritation caused due to the dryness as well.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is well known for relieving symptoms for a range of diseases. This is due to the fact that its ingredients contain many body-friendly properties. One of them is the presence of oil which contains anti-inflammatory properties. Saturate 2 tea bags of chamomile in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Once the water is cool enough for application to the skin, dip two cotton pads into the water and put them onto your eyelids. Let them stay for 20 minutes. This will help to relieve the symptoms of dryness and reduce the chances of its recurrence.
