9 Natural Tricks to Help Dry Eyes

As you peruse the shelves of your local drug store for eye drops while rubbing your blurry red eyes, you are overwhelmed with options. Some eye drops are full of preservatives, and can sometimes leave your eyes feeling worse. What to do?

man rubbing dry eye

Stop right there! We want to show you all the ways you can help your dry eyes besides using eye drops. There are plenty of natural tricks out there, as well as foods and supplements, to add some much-needed moisture to your precious eyes.

1. Keep Your Eyelids Clean

Irritants can gum up your eyelashes and get into your eyes. Keeping your eyelids clean will help wash away any irritants that can cause dry eyes. Here is a simple, easy, natural method to clean this sensitive area of your body:

Wash your hands.
Wet a washcloth or cotton pad with a mild soap or baby shampoo.
Gently massage the closed eyelid with the washcloth, making sure to rub the base of your eyelashes. Do not press too hard.
Rinse with warm water.
Use a different washcloth or cotton for the other eye, repeating the same procedure.

Also, try focusing on keeping the surrounding skin and hair clean as well.

2. Give Your Eyes a Break

When you focus on things at close range for long periods, it can strain your eyes and cause them to dry out. You are more than likely not blinking enough. When reading or working on the computer, give your peepers a rest!

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) suggests sticking to the 20-20-20 rule when it comes to computer time. This rule states that every 20 minutes, you should look at something at least 20 feet away.

Do so for approximately 20 seconds, and then return to your computer screen. This gives your eye a farther distance to focus on, rather than straining to see up-close objects.

Also, try to blink more when you are reading or on the computer. Close your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to help rehydrate your eyes.

3. Drink More Water

If your eyes are dry, it may be possible that you aren’t drinking enough water. To make sure you are well-hydrated, check the color of your urine. If it is colorless or light yellow, you are properly hydrated. If it is darker yellow or a deeper reddish-orange, you are dehydrated. Time to drink up!

Proper hydration can increase your tear volume, which will help prevent dry eyes. Get the standard 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. If possible, try to stay away from caffeine or alcoholic beverages, which can dry you out.

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4. Use a Humidifier

For a solution on how to help dry eyes caused by environmental factors, use a humidifier. Things like blowing air conditioning, fans, or heating are sure to dry out your eyes.

If you live in a dry climate, consider getting a humidifier to add moisture to your home. It is also hugely beneficial in the winter to run a humidifier because this is when the air is extra dry.

With more moisture added into your home environment, your tears will evaporate slower. This will keep your eyes in a more comfortable state.

5. Use an Air Filter

Also, consider purchasing an air filter for your home. Dust particles flying through the air of your home can irritate the eyes and cause dryness, itchiness, and redness. An air filter can clean the particles out of the air and stop eye irritation.

Not only that, it can help prevent you from breathing in pollutant particles that are commonplace when living in a bigger city. An air filter collects pollen too; you will have an easier spring season on your allergies.

6. Apply a Compress

For a quick cure for dry red eyes caused by clogged oil glands, try the following natural trick:

Wet your clean washcloth with warm water or better yet, get a microwaveable warm compress for your eyes.
Cover it over your closed eye for a minute or longer.
Apply pressure gently to the edge of your eyelid, pressing downwards to help squeeze the oil out of the clogged glands.
A steady moist heat will help loosen the oily glands.
Repeat daily until inflammation has ceased. If this is a frequent issue, consider applying a warm compress to regularly provide help for dry eyes.

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7. Get Good Sleep

To function optimally, your eyes need a constant supply of tears which is why blinking is so important. Not getting enough sleep prevents the eyes from getting fluid circulation that both cleans and renews the eyes. When we get enough rest, our body can regenerate itself. During sleep, our body naturally goes to work repairing the small injuries that hurt our eyes daily. Sleep is the time in which the body can regenerate new tears to heal them.

8. Use Dry Eye Glasses

Dry eye glasses are wrap-around sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV-A and UV-B rays. They can also help protect from other environmental factors, like wind, dust, smoke, and other particles. Your tears will evaporate less quickly, allowing a more pleasant environment for your eyes. Consider wearing them in air-conditioned or heated spaces as well.

9. Adopt an Anti-inflammatory, Omega-Rich Diet

What we eat affects our eyes. Eating refined carbs, fried foods, sweets, red meat, processed meat, and fats like margarine, shortening, and lard all increase inflammation. If this is you, consider restocking your pantry shelves with ingredients for a Mediterranean diet. This kind of diet has tons of healthy fats such as Omegas, which are known to decrease inflammation.

Other sources of Omega-3s are walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseed. In addition to a healthy diet, consider adding Omegas through supplementation. We’ve got the perfect one for you.