Almost 50% of adult Americans suffer from dry eyes. Dry eyes are a scratchy feeling in the eyes. It is a condition that can occur when the tears fail to keep the eye surface adequately lubricated. Allergies are one of the most common culprits of this condition; however, dry eyes don’t always have to be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

There also can be many external irritants that can cause this or dry eyes can be diet related. Here is a list of both diet based and home remedies that can successfully relieve you of this condition:

1. Warm compress and baby shampoo
Placing a warm compress on your eyes then washing your eyelids with baby shampoo is a popular home remedy to soothe dry eyes. The warm compress helps to release some of the oil in your eyelids’ glands which can improve the quality of your tears. Note: Be sure to completely rinse soap from your eyes to avoid irritating them further.

2. Water
Water is essential in maintaining your body’s functions. Water is also a natural remedy for dry eyes. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily keeps your eyes hydrated. Increasing your water intake combined with the water that your body absorbs in the foods you eat, can help keep dry eye at bay.

3. Omega-3 fatty acids
Increasing your intake of Omega-3 acids is a dietary change that can be made to relieve dry eyes. There are Omega – 3s that can’t be synthesized in the body and should be supplemented in your diet. Fortunately, there are a number of foods and natural oils that can increase your daily intake of Omega-3 including: palm oil, soybean oil, chia seeds, fatty fish, like tuna, trout or halibut. Nuts like walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax-seeds, Omega – 3 enriched flour, pasta, oatmeal Omega- 3 enriched eggs, milk, yogurt, soy-milk, Brussels sprouts, kale, parsley, and spinach are all great resources for Omega-3 acids.

4. Potassium
Potassium is also a great remedy for dry eyes. This mineral is one of the most important components of the eyes tear film. The tear film is the thin layer of tears that cover the exposed corneas of your eyes. Potassium is critical to the maintenance of the thickness of the tear film and low levels of this mineral have been linked to damaged tear film. Foods like: bananas, yogurt, sweet potatoes, soybeans, white beans, sweet potatoes and potatoes are all high in potassium.

5. Antioxidants
Free radicals are produced by natural by-products of ongoing biochemical reactions in the body. These reactions include our body’s natural ordinary metabolic processes and immune system responses. Dry eyes can be caused by free radical damage. Studies have shown that antioxidants can help fight these free radicals and can slow the process of oxidation. Blueberries,collard greens, goji berries, spinach and kale are foods that are all rich in antioxidants.

6. Natural tears eye drops
Natural tears eye drops are a non-irritating, preservative free solution for temporary relief of dry eyes. The drops work by restoring moisture and provide a soothing relief for irritated and dry eyes.