Dry eyes are a common condition that may be temporary or may be chronic, and there are many treatment options such as drug treatments, medical procedures, and alternative treatments. But do home remedies help relieve the symptoms of dry eyes?
There are many options for treating dry eyes, and how the doctor determines treatment depends on several factors such as: [2]
- Severity of dry eye symptoms
- Causes of dry eyes.
Treatment for dry eye aims to produce more tears or maintain the tears the eye produces, and lubricating eye drops and oral antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment. But cases with severe symptoms may require a medical procedure or surgical intervention. [2]
Drug treatment
Non-prescription medications
There are many medications that can be dispensed without a prescription and are useful in treating dry eyes, such as [2]:
- Artificial tear drops: They are useful in relieving mild or moderate symptoms of dry eyes. They moisturize the eyes and may need to be applied several times a day. It is preferable to use drops intended for one use only because they do not contain preservatives.
- Ointments: They are a good option, but they cause blurred vision, so it is best to apply them at night, right before bed.
- Castor oil drops: Castor oil helps reduce tear evaporation, which reduces dry eyes.
Avoid using drops that constrict blood vessels in order to reduce redness because they may ultimately lead to irritation of the eyes [2].. Read also: Treating dry eyes: many ways to learn about them
Medicines that require a prescription
The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic in the form of eye drops or an oral medication to reduce inflammation of the eyes and eyelids. The most important antibiotics that are prescribed in this case are [ 2 ]:
- Cyclosporine
- Lifitegrast
The latest treatment for dry eyes, which was approved in 2023, is the drug perfluorohexyloctane, which helps reduce tear evaporation [2].
Medical procedures
Your doctor may recommend certain procedures to treat chronic dry eyes. Include:
Eye stitches
They are flat beads made of soluble cellulose, which are inserted deep behind the lower eyelid in the space between the eyeball and the lower eyelid. It releases the medication throughout the day to maintain eye moisture [2].
Therapeutic contact lenses
It is used to treat chronic dry eyes if they are caused by losing tears too quickly, as wearing special contact lenses helps. In protecting the surface of the eye and preventing moisture loss.
Doctors may recommend the use of contact lens pads to help treat dry eyes after surgery, such as cataract removal [2].
Tear duct plugs
It is made of silicone or gel and is removable. It is used in cases of moderate to severe dry eyes, and helps keep tears in your eyes for a longer period[2].
Intense pulsed light therapy
This technology uses intense pulsed light (IPL) pulses of light to treat inflammation and unclog sebaceous glands in people with a problem with the meibomian glands. The effectiveness of this procedure continues for six months [2], [4].
Thermal pulse
Heat is applied to the eyelids, then pulsed pressure is applied to remove blockage of the sebaceous glands. The treatment takes about 12 minutes[2].
Amniotic membrane graft
A thin layer of human placenta is used to help repair the surface of the eye[2].
Surgery
Surgery is a viable treatment option for people who suffer from dry eyes due to a problem with the movement of one or both eyelids. For example, a doctor may recommend surgery to correct droopy lower eyelids, a condition that can cause tears to drain from the eye[4].
Alternative treatments
There are some therapeutic techniques used to treat chronic dry eye, and doctors recommend alternative treatments only when conventional treatments do not work. Among them [2]:
- Acupuncture
In a study conducted in 2013, it was shown that acupuncture helps relieve dry eye symptoms by affecting nerve function.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS):
The TENS unit helps stimulate the nerves that help stimulate tears.
- Stem cells : help repair the inner surface of the eyelids or the tear and sebaceous glands. But more studies in humans are needed.
Do home remedies solve the problem of dry eyes?
You can take some steps on your own to alleviate the annoying symptoms of dry eyes. You may find relief simply by applying simple home remedies, such as:
- Warm compresses
Tears are made up of water, mucus, and an oily substance. The eyes need these three components to stay healthy and hydrated. The oily substance is produced by glands located along the edge of the eyelid, but inflammation or crusting of the eyelid leads to blockage of these glands, causing dry eyes.
To relieve irritation, try dampening a clean cloth with warm water, wringing it out, and placing it on your closed eye for at least a minute. During this time, gently press the edge of your eyelid with your finger to help release the oils [1].
- Cleaning the eyelids
Cleaning the eyelids and eyelashes helps control any inflammation of the eyelid. The eyelids can be cleaned by applying a little baby shampoo to the fingertips, and gently massaging the closed eye near the base of the eyelashes[1].
- Close your eyes every 20 minutes for 20 seconds
If your work requires constant staring at the computer, you must remember to close your eyes from time to time because constantly looking at the computer screen reduces the number of times you blink per minute, and this causes eye fatigue and decreased tear production [1].
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
According to recent research, omega-3 fatty acids help the oil-producing glands in the eyes work better, reducing irritation. These acids are found in fatty fish such as tuna, sardines, and mackerel. It is also found in walnuts, flax seeds, and vegetable oils (such as canola and soybean oil)[1].
- Drink enough water
Every part of the body needs water to stay healthy, including the eyes. Therefore, drinking 8 to 10 cups throughout the day will be enough to meet your body’s needs. If you do not like drinking water, you can drink any other liquid that does not contain alcohol or caffeine. Also try to eat more water-rich foods such as cucumber and watermelon [1].
- Use vitamin A supplements
Studies have shown that taking vitamin A supplements over the short term improved the quality of tears, but not the quantity of tears. Sources of vitamin A include: liver, oily fish, eggs, milk and its derivatives, and leafy vegetables[4].
- Wear sunglasses
This can help protect the eyes in the summer from dry winds that cause tears to evaporate quickly. It is recommended to avoid direct air from a hair dryer, air conditioner, or fan at home [1].
- Use a humidifier
It is useful in adding moisture to dry indoor air. If this device is not available, placing a bowl of water near the heating device or radiator has the same effect[1].
references
[1] Whitney Seltman.Home Remedies for Dry Eyes: What Works? Retrieved on the May 30, 2023.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/dry-eyes-home-remedies
[2] Sonia Pearson.Treatments for Chronic Dry Eye.Retrieved on July 17, 2023
https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-eye/treatments-for-chronic-dry-eye
[3] NHS.com.Dry eyes.Retrieved on 06 December 2024
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-eyes/
[4] Ryan Corte and Charlotte Lillis.What is dry eye and how can I get rid of it?
Retrieved on December 22, 2022
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