Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome are caused due to a number of factors, including itchiness, redness, dust, fatigue, dehydration in the eyes, and exposure to smoke or chemicals. However, because many people are increasingly staring at electronic screens, there has been a tremendous increase across the country (and globally) in the number of people developing symptoms for dry eyes in recent years.
There has never been a more important time to take good care of our eyes, not to lose our clarity in vision. Eye care can be done by habituating regular eye care, such as washing the eyes and blinking more. However, in our fast-paced life, we often forget these tiny changes. There is a range of natural products or foods that are safe and proven to improve our eye’s well being.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids supplement the tears with enough oil that the tears do not dry up quickly while also lubricating the eyes’ outer surface. Omega-3 fatty acids are available in nature in the form of fish, leafy green vegetables, soybeans, nuts, and seeds. Sardines, mackerel, tuna, and salmon contain a good amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetables such as kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and purslane are rich plant alternatives to obtain Omega-3 fatty acids. Seeds and nuts such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, soybeans, walnuts, and almonds are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D promotes the secretion of tears and the reduction of eye inflammation. Vitamin D is more of a preventive supplement than a remedy to heal dry eye syndrome. Having a sufficient level of vitamin D keeps the eye wet and healthy. Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D. Doctors recommend facing the morning sun with eyes closed for about three to five minutes every day for a good supplement of vitamin D. Vitamin D can be supplemented to the body also by consuming fatty fish, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fortified foods.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is the top supplement that is very crucial for the eye’s well being. It keeps the outer layer of the eye, namely the cornea, clear and healthy. It is also a key component of the protein in the eye called rhodopsin, which enables us to see in low light. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause progressive eye diseases like night blindness or xerophthalmia and other complications like dry eye syndrome. To get a good supplement of this vitamin, doctors and nutritionists recommend eating vegetables, fruits and seafood, like carrots, pumpkins, broccoli, cantaloupe, herring, sardines, mackerel, tuna, salmons, beef liver, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, fortified cereals, squash, oranges, dairy products, and eggs.
4. Water
It cannot get any more natural than a good source of pure water. Apart from the many positive remedies that it does to the body, water also supplements the eyes with enough water. Our tears are made up of 99.5 percent water and the remaining as salt, oil, and mucus. For the eyes to remain wet and healthy throughout the day, doctors recommend drinking a glass of water every hour of the day.
