Dry eyes is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears to stay well-lubricated, causing redness, burning, and irritation. The problem of dry eyes existed even when there were no computers and mobile phones around because it can also occur due to dehydration, allergies, aging, and common conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Instead of using a medicated eye lubricant, you can try a few of these effective, side-effects-free ancestral remedies for dry eyes.

Warm compress

The eyes need oil, water, and mucus to remain moist. When your eyelids are inflamed or irritated, they can clog the oil-producing glands and lead to dry eyes. A simple ancestral remedy for dry eyes is to unclog your tear ducts by applying a warm compress or washcloth to your eyes for several minutes a few times a day. If you’re using a washcloth, make sure you wet the cloth often because warmth is necessary for the process to be effective.

Blink more often

If you go on staring at your mobile phone or laptop screen for long periods, your eyes will quickly become dry. Frequent blinking is necessary for more tear production and keeping the eyes moist all the time. Although deliberate blinking might look unnatural, studies say that it unclogs oil glands and improves eye health. To ensure that you’re blinking enough, experts recommend following the 20/20 rule. The rule states that you must close your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Get enough sleep

Studies show that insufficient sleep can reduce tears in your eyes. If your eyes do not produce enough tears, it will soon become dry and cause redness and irritation. Health experts say that all adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep to keep their eyes and the rest of the body healthy. If you’re unable to get proper sleep, you can try creating a comfortable sleep environment with no bright lights, sound, or distraction around. It’s also important that you fix your bedtime routine and go to sleep at the same time every night.

Stay well-hydrated

One of the easiest ancestral remedies for dry eyes is to stay well-hydrated throughout the day. When there is plenty of water in your body, your eyes’ moisture content is also more. Water is necessary for eye lubrication, tear production, and eye health. We all know that staying hydrated is good for our bodies, but we still postpone drinking until we’re very thirsty and almost dehydrated. To prevent dehydration, ensure that you drink at least 8 cups of water every day.

Include omega-3s in your diet

Studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate dry eye symptoms. It reduces eye inflammation and increases tear quantity, which keeps the eyes well-lubricated. If you’re looking for high-quality, omega-3-rich foods, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna should be your go-to choice. But if you’re not a fish eater, you can look for other good sources of omega-3s, such as flaxseed, chia seeds, palm oil, walnut, and soybean.