26 Simple Natural Home Remedies For Dry Eyes Treatment

Updated: 11/16/2019

What Are Dry Eyes?

Before learning simple, natural home remedies for dry eyes, you should understand what dry eyes are. Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is the disturbance or damage to your eyes’ delicate tear film. When originated from tears, your eyes are suffering a typically progressive and chronic shortage of moisture because of damage to your tear gland. This condition can affect up to 50% of the world’s population, including both adults and children. The syndrome may result in a burning sensation, itching, pain, light sensitivity, and irritation in the eyes. If the condition becomes worse, you may experience severely blurred vision that can be incurable. If you are suffering from those mentioned symptoms, you have already experienced dry eyes.

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What Causes Dry Eyes?

The major triggers leading to dry eye syndrome are numerous, including the use of the laptop or the computer for a long time, inadequate blinking, contact lenses, hormonal changes, advanced age, depression, smoking, hypertension, excessive alcohol consumption, and allergies. To treat dry eyes, it is necessary to reduce its symptoms and signs. Nowadays, there exist many professional solutions to treat dry eyes; however, such solutions can be costly, take time, and possibly cause harm if  used long-term. Therefore, why don’t you use natural treatments that are cheap, safe, and effective?

22 Simple Natural Home Remedies For Dry Eyes Treatment You Might Not Even Notice

Following are 22 simple natural treatments that are helpful for treating dry eyes at home. There is no science-based evidence for the following home remedies. The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies, so always consult your doctor and monitor your health condition regularly to know if a remedy is working for you.

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have a capability of relieving the irritating symptoms caused by your dry eyes. Not only does it lower inflammation, but it also makes more tear production and higher-quality tears. You can use either raw omega-3 fatty acids or foods containing rich amounts of this nutrient. According to some studies, omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the progression of vision loss and reverse dry eye syndrome symptoms altogether^[1] [2]. Some suggestions for the sources of omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil. The flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and also helpful for getting rid of dry eyes. You are highly recommended to consume it or utilize it with fruits and drinks.
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Fatty fish, including sardines, mackerel, tuna, and salmon
• Eggs from hens that were fed a diet with flax seeds

2. Vitamins

Studies have demonstrated that the lack of vitamins A, B12, and D are associated with the development of dry eyes^{[3] [4] [5]}. Thus, it’s vital that you add foods high in these vitamins to your diet. Plus, vitamins including A, C, and E may help relieve dry eyes thanks to their antioxidant properties^[6] [7]. Vitamin A rich foods include the livers of chicken, pork, and duck, fish, duck eggs, chicken eggs, milk, and carp. Foods rich in vitamin C are lemons, grapefruit, pineapple, strawberries, soursop, oranges, mangosteen, and so forth. Vitamin C can also be found in some vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, onions, and cabbage. Vitamin E rich foods are sunflowers, peanuts, sesame, and mung bean sprouts. In addition, vitamin E can be present in milk, nuts, animal liver, asparagus, and fish.

3. Castor Oil

Castor oil contains high levels of ricinoleic acid, which imparts naturally lubricating agents to it. It also works as an anti-inflammatory agent that may relieve the itching and burning associated with dry eyes. According to studies, castor oil can benefit people with dry eyes due to meibomian gland dysfunction^[8] [9].

Ingredients:

• 2 drops of castor oil

Directions:

• Place one drop in each eye at night.
• Repeat daily.

4. Cucumber

Cucumbers may provide cooling relief for eyes as they contain 95% water that may keep the eyes hydrated while helping the eyes eliminate toxins and relaxing tired eyes^[10].  Plus, it contains anti-inflammatory properties that help you reduce dryness and puffiness of your eyes.

Ingredients:

• Slices of the fresh cucumbers

Directions:

• Cool cucumber slices in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
• Place those cooled slices on closed eyes.
• Let them sit for 20 minutes.
• Rinse face thoroughly with water.

5. Tea Bags Or Green Tea

Green tea has been hailed and consumed for its health benefits for many years^[11]. It is rich in antioxidant properties and beneficial polyphenols. A study found that polyphenols have great effects on vision and eye health^[12]. There are many possible health benefits of green tea, including benefits with heart health, type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and especially dry eyes^[13] because it may hydrate your eyes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of hot water
• 2-3 tea bags
• 2 cotton balls

Directions:

• Steep the tea bags in hot water for several minutes..
• Place two cotton balls inside the cup and let it soak the tea.
• Warm the tea and place these two warm cotton balls onto each eyelid.
• Let it stay in some minutes.
• Place these tea bags onto your closed eyes in 5 minutes.
• Rinse your eyelids thoroughly with warm water.
• Repeat this treatment at least twice a week.

6. Aloe Vera

According to a study, aloe vera possesses wound-healing agents and shows immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities^[15] [16]. The aloe vera leaves are composed of a gel-like and thick substance, which may help you to soothe dry skin, burns, and other conditions. Besides, aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which aid you in easing dry eyes symptoms. Therefore, aloe vera may help you get relief from dry eyes at home.

Ingredients:

• An aloe vera leaf
• Some cold water
• 2 cotton balls

Directions:

• Extract its juice from the aloe vera leaf.
• Freeze it
• Mix the juice with some cold water
• Soak the cotton balls in the mixture.
• Place the soaked cotton balls onto closed eyes.
• Let it be in 10-15 minutes.
• Rinse it off with cold water.

Note: 

Consult a doctor before applying the aloe vera solution because it may lead to irritation or discomfort for your eyes. Also, do a patch test before applying it to ensure you aren’t sensitive to the plant.

7. Frequent Eyelid Cleaning

Frequent eyelid cleaning is probably useful for those who are suffering from blepharitis and other eye conditions that lead to eyelid inflammation, which then blocks oil flow to your eyes.

Process 1: Use mild soap on your eyelids.

Ingredients:

• Baby shampoo or any kind of soap advised by doctors.

Directions:

• Place the soap on the clean fingertips.
• Massage the closed eyes gently, which are the area of the eyelashes.
• Rinse the soap thoroughly away by normal water.

Process 2: Use mild wash

Ingredients:

• An eyelid wash or water mixed with baby shampoo

Direction:

• Close your eyes.
• Gently massage the base of your eyelashes.
• Rinse it thoroughly afterward.

8. Potatoes

Potatoes contain a high content of vitamin C and carbohydrates^[17], which are beneficial for hair, skin, and health. Especially, they may get rid of dark circles and even dry eyes because they contain a cooling effect that helps you to hydrate your eyes and reduce the irritation and discomfort associated with dry eyes.

Ingredients:

• 1 potato

Directions:

• Grate the potato.
• Place the grated potato onto the eyes before sleeping at night.
• Let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Rinse it off with warm water.
• You can also use two slices of potato and place it on your closed eyes.

9. Honey

International Bee Research Association^[18] indicates that honey, the golden viscous liquid, may work better than the artificial tears in terms of treating dry eyes thanks to its antioxidant and moisturized effect. Plus, it holds anti-inflammatory properties and ability to soothe your eyes and keep your eyes hydrated^[19].  Never put raw honey in your eyes and speak with your doctor before using honey as a treatment for dry eyes.

Process 1:

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of honey
• 1 tsp of pure and clean water

Directions:

• Mix the ingredients well.
• Use this mixture as your homemade eye drop.
• Add 2 drops in each eye.
• Repeat this remedy twice daily till the dryness disappears.

Process 2:

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of honey
• 1 tsp of warm water

Directions:

• Mix all the ingredients well.
• Use this mixture as an eye rinse.
• Repeat this remedy twice daily till the dryness disappears.

Process 3:

Ingredients:

• A few drops of undiluted honey

Directions:

• Add the undiluted honey to your eyes.

10. Warm Compresses

Tears are combined with oily glandular secretions and water. You can increase the secretions by improving circulation levels in your eyelids. Therefore, another way to help you open your clogged meibomian glands to relieve dry eyes is simply applying warm compresses to your closed eyelids, which softens your hardened meibum. According to some researchers, warm compresses may work well on relieving dry eyes. You should utilize a compress with a temperature of about 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Other studies show that using warm compress therapy helps to treat dry eyes related to meibomian gland dysfunction^[20] [21].

Ingredients:

• A clean towel or cloth
• Warm water

Directions:

• First, you soak the cloth in the warm water
• Next, you place the wet cloth over the closed eyes
• Let it sit for 10 minutes
• Repeat this treatment twice daily

11. Antioxidants

Many researchers indicate that dry eyes can be a result of free radical damage like oxidative stress, which is triggered by poor diet, aging, shortage of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, chronic stress, and medications. Therefore, antioxidants become good treatments that may slow down the process of oxidation. A study indicated that oral antioxidant supplementation could increase tear production and enhance tear film stability by decreasing tear ROS (reactive oxygen species)^[22] [23]. It is highly recommended that consuming multi-colored fruits and vegetables including chard, acerola cherries, goji berry, kale, spinach, acai berry, and so forth may help you relieve dry eye symptoms.

12. Enough Sleep Time

Having a sound and sufficient sleep is a good way to treat dry eyes at home. According to some studies, sleep quality may cause dry eye disease, and it indirectly worsens anxiety and depression^{[24] [25] [26] [27]}.

It’s recommended to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night, at which time your eyes and your body can recover after a long and busy day of work and study. Lack of sleep can lead to dark circles in the lower lids of the eyes. Working or gaming on the computer for long periods of time may do harm to your eyes. Undoubtedly, having enough sleep time becomes one of the effective remedies for dry eyes.

13. Enough Light

Intense pulsed light plays an important role in the treatment of dry eye disease, heating the meibomian glands, liquefying the meibum, activation of fibroblasts, enhancing collagen synthesis, etc.^[28] [29]

• It is advisable that you not switch off the light while you are watching television because the light of your TV screen and the darkness of your room may lead to eye strain. It would be best for you to place a lamp next to your TV to see images on the TV more clearly.
• When reading your books, you should use perturbed lamps, which offer a direct light into the pages. For many readers who prefer reading in bed, it is recommended to use bed headboard lights to prevent eye strain.
• When you utilize a computer, you are advised to have a bulb, which may light the room and also light straight down on your keyboard.
• When you are on the road, use sunglasses or eye protection glasses to protect your eyes from sunlight, dirt, and dust.

14. Changing Environment

If the reason leading to your dry eyes is environmental factors^[30], it is advisable for you to make some changes, which may result in much difference afterward. Consequently, changing your environment is one of the great home remedies for dry eyes that you should apply strictly at home^[31]. Following are some suggestions to make your better environment.

• You should avoid smoking and even avoid staying around those who are smoking because the smoke may dry your eyes and harm your health as well.
• You should stay indoors if it is windy because the wind conditions can aggravate dry eyes. You should utilize appropriate eyewear to protect the eyes from the wind and dust when you are riding a motorbike or bike, skiing, and riding in the convertible, etc.
• A humidifier is another method to keep your eyes moisture after working or studying in a long time.

15. Frequent Blink

Lack of blinking is one reason leading to your dry eyes. It is known that an average person often blinks around 22 times per minute, nevertheless, individuals who usually spend considerable time working with a computer screen or watching television often blink only 7 times in a minute. Some methods such as closing and resting your eye, massaging around your eyes, placing a towel on your eyes during sleep, blinking more frequently, and squeezing/rubbing your eyes may help to provide relief from dry eye symptoms^[32] [33]. When utilizing these devices, we have a tendency to blink less often than usual, which may result in or worsen your dry eyes. As our eyes cannot keep staring at one object for a long period of time, then the natural moisture found in your eyes will fade away, thereby leading to dry eyes. Thus, if you are engaged in a task that requires staring at a certain object for too long, you should blink more frequently than usual because blinking may spread the fluid across the eyeballs’ surface. Besides, you should perform some full blinks by gently squeezing the eyelids together to wash the eyes fully by using a fresh layer of the tears.

16. Frequent Break

Closing and resting your eyes more frequently may help to relieve dry eyes^[32]. Using a computer or laptop for such a long time is one of the major reasons for dry eyes. Thus, a good way to relieve dry eyes is to look away from the screen every 20 minutes and then look at other things, which is around 20 feet from the eyes for about 20 seconds. This is called the “20-20-20 rule”. Abiding by this rule may help to get rid of both computer eye strain and dry eyes.

17. Drink Water

A study on the web AllAboutVision.com indicates that increasing daily water intake eases dry eyes because dehydration is one of the main causes of dry eyes^[34]. It is common knowledge that water acts as a backup for metabolic activities in your body. While a woman needs about 90 oz. to keep hydrated, a man should consume at least 125 oz. of water per day. Moreover, it is also a recommendation that 20 percent of the water in the body needs to cone from food, whilst the rest may get from purified drinking water.

18. Zinc

Zinc is a transition metal that belongs to group 12 in the periodic table. It is responsible for various and different functions in the human body and simultaneously aids in stimulating the activity of around 100 different enzymes, including enzymes in your eyes’ vascular coating. Zinc deficiency or excessive zinc intake may make people more susceptible to ailments and diseases^{[35] [36] [37]}. According to Recommended Dietary Allowance in the USA, a woman should consume 8 mg/day while a man can take 11 mg/day^[38]. To increase zinc intake, you may consume available dietary supplements or consume foods such as legumes, fish, kelp, mushrooms, yeast, liver, whole grains, sunflower seeds, and so forth.

19. Potassium

According to Dr. Marc Grossman, optometrist & lecturer on holistic eye care, of New Paltz, NY, explains that people with dry eye and blurred vision usually have low potassium levels^[39]. Potassium is considered as one of the most important components, which are comprised of tear film because tear film has electrolytes, one of them is potassium. Thus, potassium levels directly impact on the tear film. It is found that lower potassium levels may negatively affect the tear film breakup time and integral to maintain corneal epithelium. It also is necessary for the maintenance of normal corneal thickness. Thus, potassium acts as one of the great home remedies for dry eyes at home.

Therefore, to improve your dry eyes, you should raise potassium level in the body by consuming foods that are rich in potassium, including dulse, bananas, pecans, kelp, almonds, avocados, raisins, wheat germ, figs, and dates.

20. Lavender Oil

Those who are in love with the herbal treatments may consider lavender oil to tackle dry eyes because it may help you to regain the lost moisture, which contributes to dry eyes. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties of lavender essential oil^[40] may help you to treat dry eyes effectively. Moreover, it may give a soothing effect to the eyes. As a result, it is known as one of the most effective home remedies for dry eyes.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 drops of lavender oil
• Warm water
• 2 cotton balls
• A bowl

Direction:

• First, mix the lavender oil with warm water in the bowl
• Then, soak the cotton balls in the mixture
• You should squeeze out excess oil out of the cotton balls
• Next, place the cotton balls on the closed eyes
• Let it stay in at least 10 minutes
• Rinse it off with warm water
• Repeat this remedy twice daily

21. Turmeric, Lemon Juice, Tomato, And Orange 

Turmeric has bioactive compounds with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties^[41] while almonds contain nutrients such as fiber, protein, vitamin B2, vitamin E, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Cinnamon contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects^[42] and improves sensitivity to the hormone Insulin. Moreover, honey contains antifungal and antibacterial properties^[43] [44] while cloves hold antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic and aphrodisiac properties^[45] The mixture of four fantastic ingredients may bring us one of the wonderful home remedies for dry eyes. Following is the recipe to utilize this solution.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of turmeric powder
• Some almond milk
• 1/8 tsp of cloves
• ½ tsp of cinnamon powder
• 1 dollop of honey

Directions:

• First, you warm up the almond milk
• Then, you sprinkle turmeric, cinnamon powder and cloves into the almond milk
• Next, add the honey and stir all the ingredients together
• Consume this mixture in your diet

22. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is an herb originating from a blooming plant of the family Asteraceae. Not only fresh but also dried blossoms of the chamomile have been used to make tea for a long time for treating various well-being issues. Moreover, the dynamics found in chamomile oil, also known as bisabolol, has a calming and microbial properties. The author of “Natural Prescriptions for Women,” Susan Berg notes that chamomile has cooling and anti-inflammatory effects, which are powerful to regain your lost moisture to ease your tired eyes^[46]. Undoubtedly, chamomile tea is one of the best home remedies for dry eyes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of dried chamomile
• 200 ml of boiling water
• 2 cotton balls

Directions

• First, add the chamomile into the water
• Let it steep in 10 minutes
• Then, strain it and cool the liquid in the refrigerator
• Soak the cotton balls in the cooled liquid
• Place the fully wet cotton balls on your closed eyes
• Let it stay in 15 minutes
• You may re-soak the balls once more if they lose moisture

By way of conclusion, dry eyes are among the common disease, and it can be worse if you treat it improperly. Luckily, it can be treated safely and effectively thanks to those natural treatments above. Be aware that this article is only informational, not for medical or educational purposes. Thus, it is highly recommended that you consult the doctor for advice before using any of the above-mentioned treatments. If you possess any other useful natural remedies for dry eyes or have any questions or comments, you can freely leave them below, and we will respond as soon as possible. To get more information pertaining to effective natural remedies for other health problems, feel free to go to our main Home Remedies page.