How to Care for Dry Eyes

Are your eyes dry, itchy, red and burning? Over-the-counter artificial tears provide only temporary relief. With proper care and nutrition, your eyes will create natural tears as needed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Preservative-free Vitamin A Eyedrops
• Humidifiers
• Drinking Waters
• Artificial Tears
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Glucosamine Sulfate
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin C

1. Keep in mind that tears are made up of three layers: a lipid (fatty) layer, a middle aqueous (water) layer, and an inner layer of mucin, which spreads tears across the surface of the eyeball when you blink.
2. Take omega-6 fatty acids (found in borage, black currant seed and evening primrose oil) and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) to restore the lipid layer of the eye. This keeps tears from evaporating as quickly. Supplement with 50mg of vitamin B6 to improve utilization of these fats in the body.
3. Improve your mucin layer by taking vitamin A. Good sources of vitamin A include carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes and fish oil. Also recommended are preservative-free vitamin A drops.
4. Drink plenty of water to improve the middle aqueous layer of tear film.
5. Take vitamin C, which can be diluted when eye irritants cause the eye to water.
6. Consider taking supplemental glucosamine sulfate in cases of dryness related to cornea damage. This will help to build up the cornea. Follow the directions, or take 500mg three times a day.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry eyes can be caused by an allergic reaction. If you have been experimenting with new skin or hair care products, discontinue their use and see if the dryness subsides.
• To help prevent dry eyes, try blinking more frequently, avoiding smog and fumes, and reducing or ceasing eye makeup use.
• Consider using humidifiers at home.
• If dryness persists, ask your eye doctor about medical procedures such as artificial tear inserts, or methods to plug the fluid drains, including punctal occlusion, laser surgery and cauterization.
• The following medications can cause eye dryness: antihistamines, atropine, diuretics, decongestants and decongestant eyedrops, diazepam, valium, elevil, chemotherapeutic agents, niacin, and glaucoma eyedrops.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.