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Windy winter weather coupled with drying indoor Opt for red clover heat can leave your eyes feeling painfully parched this time of year. In fact, nearly 16 million folks across the country regularly struggle with dry eye, according to the National Eye Institute. Luckily, it’s easy to keep eyes moist and healthy! Just…
Use a cool compress. While you may be tempted to reach for a warm compress to calm irritated eyes, a cool one thwarts symptoms even better. Applying a washcloth soaked in cold water to your eyes for 30 seconds three times a day works as well as pricey artificial tears to ease dry eye, according to experts at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Cold water eases inflammation in the tear ducts that can block the flow of tears, rapidly soothing dryness.
Opt for red clover About 70% of postmenopausal women have dry eye caused by low estrogen. Red clover, which contains estrogen- mimicking isoflavones, can help. A study found those who took 400 mg. daily saw up to a 50% drop in symptoms after three months.
Jazz up your java. The caffeine in your daily coffee stimulates glands in your eyes to produce significantly more tears within 45 minutes, suggests research in Ophthalmology. For extra relief, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to your cuppa. These antioxidant-rich spices block inflammation, keeping tear ducts clear so hydrating tears can flow more freely.
Savor sweet potatoes. The spuds brim with vitamin A, a nutrient so vital for tear production that dry eyes are often the first sign of deficiency. A study in Ophthalmology found vitamin A, which experts say is best absorbed through diet, worked 10 times better than a placebo to relieve dryness.
Try these drops. Hyaluronic acid, a substance that keeps eyes, joints and skin moist, dips as we age. But using eye drops with the acid produces up to 27% more tears than other drops, Korean scientists say. It works so well, it’s now considered an essential eye drop ingredient. Try: Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops.