Dry eyes, medically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, result when you don't produce enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated. As your conjunctiva--the mucus membrane covering your eyeball--becomes inflamed, your eye may itch, burn, or feel gritty and dry. You may even develop crusty mucus at the corners of your eyes that irritates your eyelids, a condition known as blepharitis. If you've had dry eyes for a prolonged period of time, the Mayo Clinic advises seeing your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Some people turn to home remedies to treat dry eyes; check with your doctor first.
Warm Compress
From the Doctor's Book of Home Remedies comes the suggestion of lying down flat on your back and covering your eyes with a moist, warm washcloth for five to 10 minutes. According to Eric Donnenfeld, M.D., associate professor of opthalmology at North Shore University Hospital/Cornell Medical College in New York, this remedy helps to banish crusty deposits by opening up the clogged oil glands in the corners of the eyes.
Eyebright Tea
Eyebright--botanically known as Euphrasia officinalis--is a popular herbal remedy for conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Herbs 2000 notes that eyebright, a perennial plant indigenous to Europe, contains glycosides, plant-based sterols and phenol-carboxylic acids that may account for its bactericidal properties. Although herbalists often prescribe an eyebright solution as a rinse for dry and inflamed eyes, Herbs 2000 cautions that homemade herbal eyewashes can introduce bacteria into the eye and cause infections. You can get the benefits of eyebright by drinking it as an infusion. Boil 1 tbsp. of the dried herb in two cups of water for 10 minutes, and drink two cups a day.
Commercial Artificial Tears
You can buy over-the-counter artificial tears--actually a mixture of saline and cellulose--to help soothe and lubricate your eyes. However, Donald Doughman, M.D., professor of opthalmology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, warns that you should make sure the product is free of all preservatives. "If it doesn't say non-preserved...don't buy it. Preservatives can damage your eyes," warns Doughman.
