A Natural Treatment for Dry Eye
Discover the Secret to Healthier, More Comfortable Eyes: My Journey with Dry Eye Care
I recently visited my optician for a routine eye test, and I was thrilled to learn that my prescription had improved. During the visit, however, I was introduced to a condition called dry eye. While I wasn’t aware of it before, I quickly realized how crucial it is to understand and address this common issue. I wanted to see if I could find a natural way to treat dry eye. I didn’t want to become a slave to eye drops packed in plastic and containing preservatives and other chemicals.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to irritation, discomfort, excessive tear production (ironically!), and even damage to the eye’s surface.
Tears are more than just water—they’re an essential part of eye health. They are made up of three vital layers:
- Water Layer: Hydrates the eye, flushes debris, and combats infection.
- Mucus Layer: Helps the tear film stick to the eye’s surface.
- Oil Layer: Created by the meibomian glands, this layer slows tear evaporation and keeps the film stable.
One key cause of dry eye is dysfunction in the oil layer. If the oil produced by the meibomian glands is too thick or insufficient, tears evaporate more quickly, leaving your eyes feeling dry and irritated.
Understanding Dry Eye: Causes and Symptoms
Dry eye can result from various factors that disrupt the balance of tear production or quality. Common causes include:
- Age: Tear production naturally decreases as we age.
- Environmental Factors: Wind, dry air, air conditioning, and prolonged screen time can lead to tear evaporation.
- Medical Conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, or blepharitis can affect tear glands.
- Medications: Certain drugs, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and beta-blockers, can reduce tear production.
- Hormonal Changes: Menopause or pregnancy may alter tear production.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and wearing contact lenses for extended periods can exacerbate dry eye.
Symptoms of dry eye include
- A gritty or sandy sensation in the eyes.
- Redness and irritation.
- Blurred vision, especially after prolonged visual tasks.
- Excessive tearing (a paradoxical response to dryness).
- Sensitivity to light.
- Burning or stinging sensations.
Conventional Treatments for Dry Eye
Traditional treatments aim to restore moisture and alleviate discomfort. These include:
- Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter eye drops containing lubricants like polyethylene glycol (isn’t this the ingredient in anti-freeze?) or sodium hyaluronate.
- Eye Gels and Ointments: Longer-lasting solutions for nighttime use, such as carbomer-based gels.
- Prescription Medications: Anti-inflammatory drops or mucolytic agents for severe cases.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Using humidifiers, reducing screen time, and avoiding irritants.
Ingredients in Conventional Dry Eye Medicines
Common ingredients in dry eye medications include:
- Lubricants: Polyethylene glycol.
- Electrolytes: Potassium and sodium chloride to maintain tear pH balance.
- Preservatives: Benzalkonium chloride or cetrimide to prevent bacterial contamination.
I just don’t feel comfortable with these ingredients (plus the 20 or so other ingredients on the label) which could include anti-freeze and bactericides and wanted to explore a more natural route.
A Game-Changing Eye Care Routine
My optician respected my distrust of chemicals and suggested a more natural routine:
At the recommendation of my optician, I revamped my nightly and morning routine to tackle dry eye effectively. She suggested using hot water and oil to thin the oil in the meibomian glands.
Switching from cold to hot water for cleansing and incorporating organic argan oil has been transformative. After just two weeks, my eyes feel significantly more comfortable throughout the day—proof that small changes can make a big impact.
Here’s the simple routine I followed:
1. Wash
Using the Silk Cup Sponge, I clean my eyelids and lashes with warm water. The sponge’s fibrin texture is perfect for gently removing excess oil and debris while preventing issues like styes.
2. Oil
I add a drop of organic argan oil to the sponge and wipe my lids again. Argan oil is ideal because it’s light and effective at softening thickened oils in the glands.
3. Rinse
I use the sponge and hot water once more to remove any remaining argan oil from the delicate skin around my eyes.
4. Protect
Finally, I spray my eyelids with Copper Distilled Rose Water and gently wipe with the sponge. A quick spritz of this rose water in my eyes reduces redness and provides soothing relief.
5. Repeat
Morning and night—consistency is key!
Why Invest in Your Eye Health?
Your eyes work tirelessly every day, so they deserve care and attention. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort or simply want to maintain optimal eye health, adopting an effective routine can make a world of difference. My personal journey is proof that with the right tools and habits, you can restore comfort and vitality to your eyes.
Let’s make dry eye discomfort a thing of the past. Why wait to give your eyes the care they deserve? Explore these tips and products today, and experience the difference for yourself!
Why Choose Natural Alternatives?
While conventional treatments can be effective, some people prefer natural remedies to avoid preservatives and synthetic chemicals. Natural options include:
- Warm Compresses: Help to unblock meibomian glands and improve tear quality.
- Argan Oil: A light, organic oil that softens thickened oils in the glands.
- Rose Water: Copper-distilled rose water can soothe irritation and reduce redness.
- Dietary Changes: Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or flaxseed oil can support tear production.
By incorporating these natural remedies into your routine, you can address dry eye symptoms holistically while minimizing exposure to synthetic ingredients.
Find our natural products online and add the following to your basket:
A Silk Cup Sponge – I like the way the long fibrins project from this sponge – they seem to clear the oil glands very effectively – in a way that an ordinary flannel or the hands alone couldn’t achieve. Another option would be a 2 inch Honeycomb which is softer or the 2 inch Silk Fina.
Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Argan Oil (packed in amber glass bottles). It might be useful to buy a bottle with the pipette, so you can dispense the oil drop by drop on the sponge.
Copper Distilled Pure Organic Rose Water (packed in glass). It is best to get this with the pump spray – it makes it so much easier to apply. Our floral waters are free of preservatives.
I hope you make great progress with your Dry Eye treatment – please let us know how you get on!