There have been a lot of studies that have shown the negative effects of constant dry eyes, which can happen in the summer because of allergies, but it can also happen because of many different medical issues that change the natural lubrication of the eye. Dry eyes can seriously impact your quality of life, because it can cause blurred vision, redness or puffiness around the eyes, and can make you feel ashamed to go out in public. Although many doctors can prescribe you medication to deal with your dry eyes, researchers and doctors alike have also told patients to use various home remedies for dry eyes, which can be just as effective and also safer for people to use long-term. Here are five of the most useful natural remedies for dry eyes, which you can use anytime without worrying about the harmful effects of medications or solutions.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers have been shown to provide instant relief from dry eyes, since it’s the perfect shape to go right over your eye, and it’s also an inexpensive vegetable you can buy any time of the year. Cucumbers have a high water content, which helps infuse moisture into the eye without any effort. All you have to do is buy some cucumbers, throw them in the refrigerator for a while, and then thinly slice the cucumber so that you can fit it over the top of your eyes. You want to leave the cucumber on your eyes for about 20 minutes, and you can do this as many times as you need to. The only hard part about this is that you need to lay flat so that the cucumber will stay around the eyes, so maybe apply in the evening when you can lay down in bed for a while. The best part about this home remedy is that the cucumber feels so good on your eyes when it’s cold, and whatever pieces you don’t use you can eat.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of the best remedies for dry eyes, and it has been around for a long time because it is very easy to use and it works. You will need a dropper to apply it, which can be purchased anywhere for a dollar. Simply dip the dropper in the castor oil and glide it gently over the eye, you can close your eyelid and rub it around a bit if you want. Castor oil is perfect because it not only provides moisture to the eye, but also reduces inflammation, which is something a lot of people have to deal with due to various medical conditions. This is a great pick because castor oil is inexpensive, and since you only need a small amount a bottle can last you a long time.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil can be used for many types of medical issues, including relieving the symptoms associated with dry eyes. The vapors that come from the lavender oil help the eye retain essential moisture naturally, without having to add moisture through artificial means. All you have to do is take about three or four drops of the lavender oil and soak it in a bowl that contains some water. You should get cotton balls to dip into the mixture, since that is something that can cover the eye, although you can use the round makeup application pads too. You want to leave the lavender oil mixture on your eyes for about 10 minutes, since you want the vapors to go into your eye through your eyelid. One of the best parts about this remedy is that the lavender has such a calming effect, you really just become relaxed when you are applying it, and it makes you feel more comfortable.
Rice Sock
This might seem like a really weird home remedy, but for me it has always worked, and also reduces the inflammation associated with dry eyes. All you have to do is get some white rice, fill an old sock at the bottom with the rice, and microwave the rice sock for about 14 seconds. You want to keep an eye on the microwave to make sure the sock don’t catch on fire, and to make sure the sock is at a good temperature. You should make the rice sock a little hot because it does cool down really fast once you apply it onto your eye, but never apply it without testing the temperature first. Doctors say that you should typically leave the rice sock on my eye for about 5 minutes, and it’s like instant relief. You might find the rice sock trick works best if you can just hold onto the sock instead of letting it just rest on your eye, because the warmth seems to increase with pressure. Researchers say that the rice sock can reduce the inflammation and allow the eyes the ability to hold in moisture naturally.
Warm Rag Soak
Using a warm rag has to be the easiest home remedy for dry eyes out there, because all you have to do is grab a washcloth and soak it in hot water. You want to wring out the rag before you stick it on your eyes, and also check the temperature to make sure it’s not too hot. Another trick is to stick the rag in boiling water and let it rest a minute, since the warmth tends to go away quickly once it’s applied to the skin. You want to hold the warm or hot rag on your eyes for about 20 minutes, and then reapply as needed. I have found that having one rag for each eye is better, just because the warmth stays in the rag longer. This trick works because the hot water seeps into your eyes and works as a moisturizer, plus the warmth helps relieve inflammation and swelling that is commonly associated with you rubbing your eyes constantly. You need to be careful though with this remedy, because if you get the rag too hot either in the microwave or boiling water, you can end up burning your hands or the skin below your eyes, which is really sensitive to the heat.
