Dry eye is a chronic condition that develops when you don’t produce enough tears, or your tears evaporate or drain away too quickly. The result can be symptoms like irritation, stinging, burning, and redness, and complications like vision issues, infection, and tissue damage.
Over-the-counter treatments and prescription medications can help, and self-care habits can make a difference, too.
Proceed with caution with home remedies, though. Esen K. Akpek, MD, a professor of ophthalmology and rheumatology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, advises consulting your doctor before you try any home remedies for dry eye.
A warm compress followed by a gentle eyelid massage and careful eyelid cleaning can help dry eye. Try the following three-step method, remembering to wash your hands before you start.
Check with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re doing this safely. “There are patients who apply heat several times a day, because it makes their eyes feel better. They may think the more, the better. But too much heat can negatively impact the biomechanics of the cornea and cause vision issues,” says Dr. Akpek. It can also damage sensitive skin around the eyes if overused.
Warm Compress
Apply a warm compress or heat mask to the eyes for 10 minutes.
This may help your eyes feel less irritated by encouraging your eyelid glands to produce the oils needed to keep your tear composition healthy.
Eyelid Massage
Immediately after applying a warm compress or heat mask, massage your eyelids gently to push oil out of the glands. Follow these steps:
Close your eyes.
Massage along the length of your eyelids toward your ear, massaging the upper lid down and the lower lid up.
Continue for 30 seconds and repeat 5 to 10 times.
Eyelid Cleaning
After massaging the eyelids, wash them as follows:
Clean the edges of your eyelids with eyelid-cleaning wipes or cotton wool soaked in warm water.
Use a gentle side-to-side motion to remove any debris from the eyelid edges and eyelashes, starting by your nose and moving outward.
Hydration and a varied diet are crucial for all aspects of your well-being, and eye health is no exception. Water makes up a significant portion of tears along with the oils that prevent dry eye.
Your eyes may feel better if you drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily, alongside other home remedies.
Some research suggests that, while you need water for your overall health, good hydration does not necessarily improve dry eye or reduce your risk of developing the condition.
Your eyes need vitamins and other nutrients to stay healthy. Foods that provide these nutrients can help keep your eyes healthy and may help you manage or prevent dry eye.
Try including the following nutrients in your diet:
Vitamin E, found in wheat germ, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils
Antioxidants and other substances in foods and drinks like green tea may also be beneficial.
The best way to get nutrients is through diet, but you can also ask your doctor about supplements.
Environmental factors such as smoke or air or wind blowing in your face can worsen dry eye.
The dry air on an airplane or in the environment at high altitudes or in a desert can exacerbate your symptoms. So can extensive screen time, which can strain your eyes.
To minimize these factors, try the following tips.
Use a humidifier when levels of moisture in the air drop below 25 percent.
Stay away from air drafts and smoky atmospheres.
Limit your use of a hair dryer.
Direct your car heater away from your face.
Wear wraparound glasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes when you’re outside.
When using a computer screen, take regular breaks, adjust screen brightness, blink frequently, and follow the 20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Some over-the-counter products can be used to lubricate your eyes and reduce irritation, such as:
Artificial tears: These are drops you can put in your eyes as often as you need. Use these if you are reading, using a screen, or doing other vision-intensive activities.
Gel drops: These offer longer-lasting relief but are more viscous than drops, so they can cause temporary visual blurriness. They may be better to use when you're relaxing, exercising, or sleeping.
Ointments: These are the thickest lubricants and can stop your eyes from drying out while you sleep.
Some artificial tears contain preservatives that can worsen dry eye if you use them a lot. If you use artificial tears more than six times a day or are sensitive to preservatives, ask your pharmacist about preservative-free options.
Eye drops that promise red eye relief may make symptoms worse and are best avoided.
Various drugs can cause dry eye, according to John Hovanesian, MD, an ophthalmologist at Harvard Eye Associates in Laguna Hills, California.
If you’re using medications for other conditions, ask your doctor to review your prescription. They may be able to change your drugs or your dosage.
If dry eye is affecting your daily life, or if your symptoms are worsening despite using home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, you may need to see a doctor.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Stinging, burning, scratchiness, or redness in your eye
Medical treatment for dry eyes depends on the severity and the cause. Options include:
Prescription eye drops, such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra)
Punctal plugs, which slow the rate at which tears drain from your eyes
Eyelid massage with medical-grade devices and other treatments for professional use
Surgery, in some cases
Some research suggests scleral contact lenses might help if you have dry eye, although more studies are needed.
Scleral contacts can be less irritating than traditional contact lenses because they sit on the white of the eye — called the sclera — rather than the cornea. They can also help protect the eye and keep it hydrated.
Dry eye can affect your quality of life. It can impact your mental health and leave you feeling isolated. Connecting with others may help you manage or live better with dry eye.
You might:
Go to the Dry Eye Foundation webpage to find resources such as Zoom groups, social media groups, forums, and YouTube videos and stories.
Contact the Dry Eye Foundation’s helpline directly at 800-484-0244 or book a call with them online for a longer chat.
Ask your doctor or ophthalmologist about local support groups.
The Takeaway
Dry eye is a chronic condition that happens when your eyes aren’t properly lubricated, leading to irritation and other issues.
Self-care practices such as applying a warm compress, using a humidifier, and applying artificial tears may relieve symptoms.
Talk with your healthcare provider if your symptoms are becoming increasingly difficult to tolerate.
