It happens to all of us…those sore, red and tired eyes that contribute to “dry eye”. Though it’s not considered a serious condition, it sure can wreak havoc on our ability to function at our best. Whether it’s trying to finish a project, studying for an exam, continuous TV or staring at a computer for long periods of time, we can end up feeling unable to focus.
There seems to be consensus that as we age our ability to produce enough tears lessens. It’s also believed that it can become chronic in menopausal women, prevalent when certain medications are used and worsens with smoking. Tears are crucial in reducing the ability of bacteria to cling to the surface of our eyes. Tears also have an oily component that act as a lubricant which covers the eye as we blink. Plentiful tears result in soothing, preserving and protecting our eyes. So we’ve rounded up some ways to prevent dry eye and keep those peepers feeling comfortable all day long:
Natural Ways to Help Prevent Dry Eye
Avoid Direct Air Hitting Your Eyes The goal is to minimize evaporation of the tears. So keep car vents from hitting your eyes directly as well as hair dryers and cooling fans.
Blinking Be mindful of how often you blink. We can become so focused on our task at hand that we forget that we need to blink to clean and lubricate our eyes. So be mindful of this and take periodic eye breaks by closing your eyes for a minute or so and regularly blink to spread the tear lubricant.
Humidifier Especially in winter months, indoor heated air can become extremely dry. Try using a humidifier to add moisture to the air. But be sure you change the water regularly and clean the unit frequently.
Hydrate It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help the mucous membrane called conjunctiva secrete mucus which keeps the membrane moist. This important membrane lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the front of the eye. More hydration might be needed in high altitude situations like airplanes, or hot and dry desert areas.
Vitamin A and Fatty Acids Concentrate on adding Omega 3 fatty acids as well as Vitamin A to your diet. Fish (like salmon and cod), liver, dairy products, broccoli, carrots, flaxseed and walnuts as examples.
Use Artificial Tears Even with preventative measures, we can still be plagued with dry eye. For those that don’t produce enough tears or need occasional help with dry eye, this doesn’t have to keep you from doing what you love. Rohto® Dry-Aid™ artificial tears can be a safe and effective solution for keeping your eyes well-lubricated to combat dry eye dryness, irritation, grittiness, burning and stinging. It’s formulated with LiquidshieldTM technology which restores moisture by acting as a natural tear. With the launch of their new non-blurry repair formula, clinical studies showed that Rohto Dry-Aid lasted longer than other leading brands and provides up to 12 hours of eye relief. Rohto Dry-Aid can be found at major retail locations where over-the-counter dry eye drops are sold, and online at the Rohto website.
NOTE: This article is in collaboration with Rohto® Dry-Aid™. Content is solely provided by the author and for informational purposes only. Always consult your medical or holistic consultant if any medical condition persists.