Dry eyes occur when the tear glands in the eyes are unable to produce sufficient tears to keep them well-lubricated. The condition can be painful and uncomfortable. It can be caused by both environmental as well as medical factors. Some common symptoms include burning or stinging sensation in the eyes, redness, and sensitivity to light. This condition can be treated at home through many effective remedies.

Change your environment
Your environment can be a leading cause for dry eyes . Exposing your eyes too much to smoke or wind can lead to this agonizing disorder. It is advisable to stay inside when it’s too windy and use proper eyewear while indulging in activities like bike riding, skiing, etc.

Consume more fatty acids
Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in reducing inflammation in the body. Thus, consuming more of these can help in relieving the symptoms of dry eyes and stimulating tear production and higher quality tears.

Foods rich in this nutrient are

• Chia seeds
• Palm oil
• Fatty fish like tuna and sardines
• Soybean oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Walnuts

Use eye drops or other ointments
Several over-the-counter eye drops are available that can offer temporary give relief from the symptoms of dry eyes. Most of these drops contain preservatives and come in a multi-dose vial packaging. These preservatives help in preventing bacterial growth once the vial has been opened.

If preservatives further aggravate your eye condition, go for preservative-free eye drops. These usually come in a single-vial packaging.

Other than that, certain ointments are also available that can be applied to your eyeballs for providing long-term relief from dryness. However, these ointments can stain vision at the time of application. So, it is advisable to use ointments at night and drops during the daytime.

Thoroughly wash your eyes and lashes
Properly cleaning your eyelids, eyelashes and the surrounding skin can help in curbing inflammations. You can use any mild shampoo for the same. Just apply a drop of the shampoo on your fingertips and gently massage your closed eye to find relief.

Stay hydrated
Like any other part of your body, your eyes also need water to stay hydrated and healthy. Drinking plenty of water can keep your eyes moist for longer durations.

Try to consume at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. If you find it extremely hard to sip plain water from time to time, resort to other fluids that do not contain any alcohol or caffeine. Eating water-rich foods such as watermelon, cucumber, etc. can also help.

Wear wraparound sunglasses
Wearing wraparound sunglasses can help in protecting your eyes from winds that can cause the tears to evaporate more quickly.

Use a humidifier and air filter
Humidifiers are helpful in adding moisture to the air. Similarly, using any good filter that cleans the air by eliminating dust and other particles can help in preventing dry eyes.

All these simple home remedies can help in preventing and treating the uncomfortable condition of dry eyes.