According to "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing," written by Barbara K. Timby, dry eyes are a common annoyance caused by a variety of factors, including a dry environment, allergies, lack of sleep and illness. Eye drops are commonly used to alleviate the uncomfortable feelings associated with dry eyes, though many storebought eye drops contain preservatives that some people would rather avoid. Sweet oil, which is defined by Barbara Christensen in "Foundations and Adult Health Nursing," as "an oil of organic origin that is unrefined and commonly has a sweet taste," cannot be applied directly to the eyes, but it can be ingested and assist with properly hydrating eyes, according to "Grandma's Remedies: Traditional Treatments from Mustard Poultices to Rosehip Syrup," written by Cherry Chappell.
Step 1
Cook with oils that contain sweet oil, including olive oil, peanut oil and coconut oil. It is safe, according to "Grandma's Remedies: Traditional Treatments from Mustard Poultices to Rosehip Syrup," to cook with these oils as often as you desire. These oils support eye health, according to "Foundations and Adult Health Nursing."
Step 2
Take nutritional supplements daily that contain high amounts of sweet oil. According to "Grandma's Remedies: Traditional Treatments from Mustard Poultices to Rosehip Syrup," flax seed oil and primrose oil are rich in sweet oil. These supplements can be found in both capsule and liquid form.
Step 3
Dress your salads with olive oil and vinegar as opposed to other dressings. According to "Foundations and Adult Health Nursing," olive oil is one form of sweet oil that is easy to digest and supports eye health.
Step 4
Evaluate your progress after two weeks, which according to "Foundations and Adult Health Nursing," is adequate time for the nutritional supplements and added sweet oils in your diet to have a positive impact on your dry eyes. If you have not noticed significant improvement in your condition, increase your use of sweet oils and re-evaluate again in two weeks. If at that point in time your dry eyes have not been alleviated, it is suggested by "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing," that you seek the assistance of a physician to uncover the reason for your dry eyes and pursue treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Peanut oil
- Nutritional supplements
References
- "Foundations and Adult Health Nursing"; Barbara Christensen; 2006
- "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Barbara K. Timby; 2010
- "Grandma's Remedies: Traditional Treatments from Mustard Poultices to Rosehip Syrup"; Cherry Chappell; 2010
