6 foods to combat dry eye syndrome

6 foods to combat dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that’s known to cause a lot of discomfort with itching, pain, and blurred vision. Many reasons can attribute to having dry eyes, ranging from age to hormonal changes to even weather. While topical and home remedies to deal with dry eyes are aplenty, certain foods can also help. Introducing the following nutrients into your food regime can serve as part of your remedial process.

Fish
Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that are instrumental in reducing inflammation in the tear ducts of the eyes. Salmon, halibut, herring, tuna, mollusks, and oysters are great vitamin D sources that provide relief from dry eyes.

Meat
In meats, lean beef turkey and the more exotic ostrich meat are treasure troves of zinc that help in maintaining healthy eyes. For those who don’t mind eating organ meats, the liver is a good source of vitamin A that is necessary for treating dry eye syndrome.

Leafy greens
One of the most beneficial nutrients for eye health is vitamin C, and leafy greens that contain folate can prevent the deterioration of vision. Folate-rich leafy greens that also have vitamin C are kale, collards, and spinach.

Chia and flax seeds
If meats are not your preference, chia and flax seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is so chockful of nutrition that it’s a recommended substitute for fish-based omega-3 supplements.

Eggs
Only a few foods are as diverse and nutritious as the humble egg. This little off-white oval is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and beta-carotene—nutrients that are essential for alleviating the discomfort of dry eye syndrome.

Fruits
Citrus-based fruits like berries, oranges, lemon, and grapefruit contain antioxidants and vitamins that help reduce damage to your eyes and keep them healthy.

Natural remedies
Some natural treatments for dry eyes are

Eye drops
This over-the-counter treatment option can moisten the eye to subsequently reduce irritation and inflammation.

Warm compress
Holding a warm compress over the eyes can help loosen up the clogged oils in the glands. Such blockage is the cause of inflammation and discomfort.

Blink more
Such a remedy seems fairly obvious, but we tend to not blink as much while working, which can cause the eyes to dry out. Consciously blinking more can help a great deal.

Hydrate
Drinking enough water helps keep the eyes moist. Even water-rich food can help. Green tea is a good option if you don’t want to drink plain water.

If the irritation and inflammation persist, do consult your doctor for prompt treatment and relief from dry eyes.

In the case of chronic dry eye, doctors may prescribe RESTASIS®. The eye drop contains cyclosporine that helps increase the production of tears in the eye. Common side effects include burning sensations, discharge, redness, eye pain, and blurry vision. RESTASIS® is covered by insurance and can be purchased with coupons. RESTASIS® also provides a savings scheme that offers a 90-day supply for as little as $0.

Another treatment for dry eye is cyclosporine eye drops. It helps decrease the swelling in the eye and promote tear production. The eye drops are prescribed primarily to patients with certain eye conditions. People with dry eyes and presbyopia (blurry near vision) must consider VUITY™ (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), a prescription eye drop that works by reducing the pupil size to help the individual focus on nearby objects.

Patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis should consider using Verkazia’s dry eye drops. The prescription drops are topical immunomodulators used to improve the corneal bioavailability of cyclosporine in children and adults. One should also consider Cequa’s drops formulated with cyclosporine ophthalmic solution, which helps increase tear production in patients with dry eyes.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.
5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.
Four important steps in anemia management

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.