Dry eyes, effective remedies

Dry eye occurs when the quantity and/or quality of tears in the eye are insufficient. Don't worry, we're not talking about crying in the traditional sense. But, on a daily basis, the lacrimal glands, present in our eyes, produce tears which are then spread over the entire surface of the eye by blinking. Dry eye is generally more common in women than in men and is increasingly frequent during menopause.

The risk factors are diverse and varied and really depend on each individual's habits. These include:

• Daily or excessive use of screens (computer, television, smartphone)
• A hostile, dry environment
• Infrequent blinking
• Contact lens use

Apart from the prescription of artificial tears or lacrimal gels by a professional, there are unfortunately no miracle cures for dry eye. However, you can adopt daily habits to alleviate this uncomfortable sensation.

Blink more often

This advice might seem obvious, but sometimes when we're concentrating on something, we can easily forget to blink, and yet it's essential. Remember that it's recommended to blink 12 to 15 times per minute to avoid any risk of the lacrimal glands drying out.

Reduce your screen time

Firstly, the blue light* from screens is harmful to our eyes. Secondly, excessive screen use is one of the predominant risk factors in the worsening of dry eye. If you are forced to stay in front of a screen, for work for example, don't hesitate to take regular breaks to rest your eyes.

→ *Consult our article on blue light, right here.

Humidify your environment daily

To do this, nothing could be simpler: get an air humidifier and use it as much as possible, as opposed to air conditioning which will, on the contrary, dry the air and turn hot air into cool, dry air.

Eat more Omega-3-rich foods

It is scientifically proven that Omega-3 can reduce eye inflammation while increasing the quantity and quality of tears. This is a rather natural and easy remedy to apply daily. Prioritize fatty fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, etc. Also, cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts.

Talk to an ophthalmologist

If you frequently suffer from stinging, itching, a feeling of discomfort, or burning, it might be time to consult a doctor. An ophthalmologist can provide you with a prescription for artificial tears or eye drops. Furthermore, if you already wear glasses, they can provide you with progressive lenses that tint when exposed to UV rays, to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.

Rest your eyes as much as possible

To do this, 2 relatively natural solutions:

• Apply cucumber slices to your eyelids; cucumber is known to alleviate and relieve dry eyes. Slice your cucumber and place the slices on your eyelids for about twenty minutes. Guaranteed eye rest!

• Apply tea to your eyes, specifically chamomile or black tea; indeed, like cucumbers, tea bags can relieve dry eyes. You can apply the used tea bag directly from making your herbal tea, or dip cotton pads in your infusion before placing them on your closed eyes. As with the first method, keep them on for about twenty minutes.

→ For greater effectiveness, use cucumbers or tea just before bed to relieve the pressure accumulated in your eyes during the day. Your eyelids will be less swollen, and your eyes will be moist again.