Eye Matters
April 9, 2010

Natural remedies for tired eyes

“TIRED EYES” is a condition which occurs more and more frequently in this modern day world.

It is typified by a puffiness around the eyes and a heavy feeling in the head.{{more}}

Although lack of sleep is the major reason for tired eyes, there are other reasons which are being found to play more and more a part in the cause of this.

With increased industrialization and the concomitant pollution of our environment, allergies and an inadequate supply of oxygen to the eyes have become the culprits.

Other causes include; excessive crying and fatigue.

In this modern world, many more people go out to work in offices, factories and various businesses.

We come into contact with more people and machines in “unnatural” conditions in closed buildings. This, of course, will increase the prevalence of eye inflammations and eye strain. These are to an increasing degree the causes of “tired eyes” today.

Symptoms or signs of this include; redness, burning sensation, a heaviness and irritation of the eyes. These can, if continued and severe, lead to headaches.

Following are some simple home remedies to help alleviate this often bothersome and sometimes debilitating problem:

1. Take a cucumber, slice it and place it on the eyes

2. Simply wash the eyes regularly with cold water. This relaxes the eyes and helps remove tiredness

3. Put cotton wool in a bowl with water with a few drops of lavender oil added to it and rest it on closed eyelids for as long as you have the time

4. Place 2 spoons in the freezer. Do not freeze them, but when they are cold, place them under the eyes to reduce puffiness

5. Dip cotton balls in tea water and rest them on the eyelids

6. Place cotton balls in a small bowl of cold milk and rest them over the eyelids to reduce puffiness

7. 2 cups of boiled cooled water with a dash of boric acid (do not use without instruction) can be used to wash the eyes

These are very simple yet effective natural ways to treat tired eyes. However, one very important aspect of this bothersome condition is hydration.

Thus, remember to drink adequate amounts of water daily. Especially if the environment is dry.

The chief culprit here is air conditioning units. A minimum of 6 glasses, and as much as 10 glasses of water a day is required.

These simple yet effective methods of both preventing and treating a potentially unbearable condition can save us much discomfort.

The added bonus is, of course, you need not spend as much money coming to see your eye care practitioner !!!

Until next week.

Dr Kenneth Onu is a resident Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Beachmont Eye Institute/Eyes R Us Send questions to: Beachmont@gmail.com
Tel: 784 456-1210