Natural remedies can bring relief to dry eye symptoms that include stinging, scratchy irritation, red eyes, and sensitivity to light. Simple changes like blinking more often or adjusting your computer screen can bring short-term relief, while vitamin supplements or improved hydration may help to improve symptoms in the long run.
When the eyes don't produce enough tears to stay properly lubricated or if tears are poor quality and evaporate too quickly, you may experience irritation, inflammation, and blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may need to diagnose and treat an underlying health condition, like allergies or an autoimmune disorder, that are leading to dry eye symptoms.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Vitamin D
People with vitamin D deficiency may be prone to dry eye, according to several studies that have examined the association between vitamin D or vitamin D deficiency and dry eye syndrome.
A 2017 study that included 17,542 adults in Korea, for instance, found that vitamin D levels in those with dry eye syndrome were significantly lower than in those without dry eyes. Another small study, also in 2017, examined the association between dry eye syndrome and vitamin D levels and found that levels were lower in people with dry eye syndrome.
Correcting a vitamin D deficiency with supplements appears to improve symptoms and boost the effects when tear substitutes are used to treat dry eye syndrome. Further research is needed to better understand the role of vitamin D and dry eye symptoms.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency leads to vision loss (particularly at night), dry eye, light sensitivity, the sensation of a foreign body, corneal ulcers, and blindness. Crying without tearing is another symptom.
In developed countries, most vitamin A deficiency is linked to specific causes, including:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Liver disease
- Restrictive diets
- Alcoholism
- Surgery on the upper gastrointestinal tract (the esophagus, gallbladder, and stomach), such as bariatric surgery and gallbladder removal
Dry eye is a common side effect of a class of medications called retinoids (compounds that are related to vitamin A). Retinoids are commonly prescribed for skin conditions like acne.
More research is needed, but there's some evidence to suggest vitamin A supplements lead to improved quality of tears. Vitamin A also is found in green leafy vegetables, orange vegetables and fruit (carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, cantaloupes), and eggs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Recent studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids show promise as a natural approach to dry eye relief. A 2019 review of 17 studies involving more than 3,300 people showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplements improved dry eye symptoms.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation also has been found to improve dry eye somewhat in people undergoing Lasik treatment. Supplementation improved tear secretion but didn't affect tear film stability.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in oily fish (such as salmon, sardines, trout, and mackerel), nuts and seeds, and plant oils (such as canola). Research continues into other polyunsaturated fatty acids and dry eye treatment.
Vitamin B12
Some studies suggest a benefit from B12 supplements when severe dry eye symptoms are associated with neuropathies (nerve damage) that affects the eye. This can occur, for example, in people diagnosed with diabetes or complications due to shingles infection.
More research is needed, but a link between B12 deficiency and dry eye symptoms could suggest a benefit from boosting B12 levels.
Honey
Research findings suggest that manuka honey may offer benefits in treating dry eye disease, but more study is needed to investigate the promising results to date. Both honey applied to the skin or used in eye drops, and honey consumed systemically, appear to have positive effects, although topical use led to stinging and discomfort in some users.
Propolis, another bee-related product, also has been investigated for dry eye treatment.
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
You may be able to ease dry eyes by making sure that your habits and home and/or office environment are conducive to eye health:
- Stay hydrated. For some people, simply drinking enough fluids throughout the day can help reduce dry eye symptoms by keeping mucous membranes in the eyes moist.
- Get enough sleep. Most people need about seven to eight hours per night.
- Blink more frequently. Blinking frequently and taking breaks when performing activities requiring prolonged periods of visual attention, such as computer work, may help.Also, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Position your monitor. If you work at a desktop computer, you may benefit from lowering your computer monitor so your gaze is slightly downwards. Your eyes don't have to open as wide, which may lessen the dryness.
- Avoid dry or blowing air. Avoid dry conditions. Use a humidifier to increase the moisture of dry, indoor air. Keep air from fans, heaters, or air conditioners and smoke from blowing into your eyes. Wear wraparound sunglasses when you're outdoors.
- Avoid sleep masks that are flat. These can rub on the eye itself and exacerbate dry eye and eye pain. Using vaulted swim goggles is also recommended.
Seeing Your Healthcare Provider
Although dry eyes can be temporary (and affect everyone at some point or other in their lives), in some cases, the cause can be more serious and/or require medical treatment. If it's left untreated, dry eye syndrome can lead to pain, corneal damage, and loss of vision.
Here are just some symptoms that should prompt a call to your healthcare provider:
- Eye redness and swelling
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- Blurry vision, double vision, or vision loss
- Seeing halos
- Dryness that continues after a few days
- Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- An eye injury or infection (like pink eye)
If you have had recent laser eye surgery, such as Lasik or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), you should consult your surgeon or ophthalmologist.
If you have a medical condition (like diabetes, hypothyroid, hepatitis, or kidney disease) and are experiencing dry eye, consult your healthcare provider. You also may want to consider how smoking, alcohol use, sleep patterns, and other lifestyle factors may contribute to symptoms.
Some people require medical care for dry eye symptoms. This can include punctal plugs, the placement of small plugs in your tear ducts to keep the eyes better lubricated. It also can include eyelid surgery if the position of your eyelids is leading to symptoms.
Summary
Dry eye symptoms are common and affect about 16 million people in the United States, often due to computer use or exposure to smoke, wind, or other irritants. In some cases, medication use or an underlying health condition may cause dry eyes.
While lifestyle changes, eye drops, and other simple remedies can help, treatment depends on your symptoms and whether you have an underlying cause. Talk with your healthcare provider about dry eye symptoms to ensure you have an accurate diagnosis.
