Dry eyes is one of the most common eye conditions in today’s world. It is not anymore only the people in their 40s and above who suffer from this problem, but even people in their 20s and 30s now have included their names in the list. Dry eyes is commonly described as a condition that results into decrease of the eye fluid, as the tear glands produces less tear or the quality of the tear produced is of lesser quality. Dry eyes can be painful and irritating and often using eye drops is the only way to supplement the lost eye fluid.
However, if you are just at the beginning of the condition and your symptoms still have not become very acute, you can try out a bunch of other natural ways that can be effective in increasing eye fluid helping you get rid of dry eyes. However, if these remedies seem to not to benefit you within a month or so, you might need to see an eye specialist. Here we have summed up some of the most effective ways to increase eye fluid naturally,
Change your habits
The easiest and most effective ways to increase the eye fluid without eye drops is to change some of your habits that are actually harming your eyes. Check out the next list and make the necessary changes in your habits to feel the difference within a week,
Stop staring at an illuminated screen for hours
One of the primary reasons of increase in the number of people suffering from less eye fluid is the increase in the use of different gadgets like computers, mobiles, tabs, laptops and even televisions. We all are habituated with staring at the illuminated screens of all or one of these devices for hours together and the rays emitted from these screens are one of the primary factors leading to dry eyes syndrome.
So, if you are suffering from less eye fluid and you want to treat it without an eye drop, the first thing you need to do is to reduce your “in-front-of-the-screen” time. Make sure that you do not stare at an illuminated screen for more than 20 minutes at a stretch and give at least 2 minutes break to your eyes after every 20 minutes.
Blink often
Often we get so much engrossed in things that we forget to blink. It is most common while working on the laptop, chatting with friends on the smartphone or reading something interesting on the tab. Blinking less can actually affect your eyes and can directly add to the problem of dry eyes. So, no matter what you are doing and how important or how interesting it is, make sure that you blink often. Blinking is the natural mechanism of the eyes that helps in spreading the eye fluid within the eye, keeping eye dryness at bay.
Do not stare at an illuminated screen in the dark
Many of us have the habit of working in the laptop or on the smartphone while the surrounding is dark. Looking at an illuminated screen in the dark is extremely strenuous for the eyes and can add to the symptoms of dry eyes. So, if you are suffering from less eye fluid it is best to abandon the habit of looking at an illuminated screen in the dark all together. Also make sure that you place the screen of the device not against a very bright light, which can again be straining for your eyes.
Splash clean water on your eyes frequently
Splashing clean water on your eyes can do more good for your eyes than you can imagine. Water is one of the primary constituents of the eye fluid and it can help in increasing lubrication in the eyes. Water can also help in controlling eye straining and can be an effective medium to clean your eyes without harming or drying them in anyway. So, whenever your eyes feel strained make it a point to splash some normal and clean water on your face and eyes it will not only refresh you but will also help in treating the symptoms of dry eyes.
Rest your eyes
Giving your eyes adequate rest can be one of the easiest and yet most effective ways to avoid the symptoms of dry eyes and also to increase eye fluid naturally. Make sure that you sleep at least for 8 hours straight in a day so that your eyes are adequately rested. Even when you are not sleeping, you can rest your eyes by keeping them closed for 5 minutes after every 20 minutes of work. This will help in tear production and add to the natural lubrication process of the eyes.
Change your environment
Your environment can also be adding to the problem of dry eyes. Cold and windy environment is often a primary culprit causing less production of eye fluid. So, if you are having the problems related to less eye fluid it is important to take a look at your environment and to change it favorably.
Use a humidifier in your home
Dryness in the environment can work as a cause of dry eyes and hence if the environment in your area is dry or if you stay in an Air conditioned environment for the whole day, which can be drying, make sure to use a humidifier. So that the environment is not very dry that can add to the problem of eye dryness.
Cover your eyes from harsh wind and sun
Harsh wind and the rays of the sun both can exaggerate the problem of dry eyes. So, in order to minimize the symptoms, it is important that you protect your eyes from harsh winds as well as the harmful rays of the sun. If you are engaged in activities like skiing, motorcycling or riding on a convertible that can increase the drying effects of the wind on your eyes make sure that your eyes are well covered with goggles before you engage in such activities. Also use a proper sunglass every time you go out under the sun to make sure that the sun rays do not harm your eyes.
Stay away from cigarette smoke
According to studies, cigarette smoke can be one of the primary reasons for less eye fluid and dry eyes. So, if you smoke, your first step should be to quit the habit completely. Also make sure that your living environment is free from cigarette smoke. So, avoid smoking zones and other places where people are most expected to smoke a cigarette.
Check out your diet
Your daily diet has an important role to play in your overall well being. In order to increase the eye fluid naturally without eye drops it is important that you take care of your regular diet.
Eat vitamin A rich foods
Vitamin A plays an important role in eye health and vision. If you are suffering from dry eyes or less eye fluid it is important to ensure that your regular diet has adequate amount of vitamin A in it. Carrot is one of the best known sources of Vitamin A and hence including more of it in your regular diet can be actually helpful. Apart from carrots, grapefruit, spinach, apricot, lettuce are also rich in vitamin A. So, include more of these colorful vegetables in your daily diet to ensure that you get sufficient amount of Vitamin A needed for the best eye health and vision.
Include more omega 3s in your diet
Studies have shown that including more Omega 3 rich foods in your diet can be highly effective to treat the problem of less eye fluid and dry eyes. Omega 3 fatty acids are known for their ability to control inflammation and they can be also effective to treat any eye problems promoting the production of eye fluids. Omega 3 can also improve the quality of the tear produced in the tear gland, which can directly aid to the problem of dry eyes and less fluid production.
Flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Apart from these, fatty fishes like salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines are also high in Omega 3 content. Eggs are also a common source of Omega 3s. So, include more of these foods in your regular diet to treat the problem of less eye fluid naturally.
Some home treatments
Green tea might help in increasing eye fluid
Green tea is known for its high antioxidant content that can be helpful to negate the oxidative damage caused to the eyes. You can drink green tea regularly to get the best effects of these natural antioxidants that can be helpful to cure eye problems including production of less eye fluid. On the other hand, you can also wash your eyes with light green tea concoction at normal temperature to increase the production of eye fluids.
Gooseberry can be effective
Indian Gooseberry is known for its high Vitamin A and Vitamin C content. The extract of fresh Indian gooseberry diluted adequately with water can be helpful to treat a number of eye problems including that of less production of fluid and dry eyes. Prepare an extract of fresh gooseberry and then dilute it with pure water. Splash your eye with the mixture 1-2 times daily to get the best results.