Suffering from dry eyes is like having an itch you can’t scratch. Red, swollen, irritated and, yes, often itchy, dry eyes may be enough to drive you to the brink if you continue to struggle day after day.

Not only are dry eyes painful and irritating, but they can be a subtle indicator of poor health. When physician researchers from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, within the University of Miami Health System, began to investigate the health problem in 2016, they discovered a link between dry eyes and chronic pain syndromes. The research team — who evaluated 154 patients with dry eyes from the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital — discovered that the patients had higher levels of ocular and nonocular pain related to a number of chronic pain syndromes, along with evidence of depression and poor quality of life. ^l

While dry eyes are not always linked to chronic pain across-the-board, it’s interesting to note how the health of one organ, such as the eye, can relate to so many other systems in the body. Dry eyes still remain one of the most common reasons for a visit to the ophthalmologist, with other risk factors related to race, contact lens use, LASIK surgery, acne and glaucoma medication, incomplete blinking, and meibomian gland dysfunction, responsible for lubricating the eyes.

5 WAYS TO FIND RELIEF

While you may already be supporting your body with a healthy diet and exercise plan, two small sight organs are easy to overlook. Committing to a regular eye care routine may provide much-needed relief for itchy, sore eyes..

For more serious health issues, it’s important to consult your ophthalmologist, though these tips can still help:

1. Remember to blink. An “under recognised” cause of dry eyes, many of us spend hours staring at our computer screens and forget to blink regularly. Try blinking frequently when you notice your eyes becoming irritated while at the computer. And, whenever possible, try to take 5-15 minute breaks to rest your eyes from screen time throughout the day.

2. Wear sunglasses. Shielding your eyes from the elements may be a quick-and-easy fix to minimise dryness by keeping eyes moisturised and protected.

3. Up your omega-3s. Speaking of lubrication, essential fatty acids are exactly what dry eyes need to stay moist and irritant-free. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in green, leafy vegetables, oily fish, flaxseeds and, most notably, krill oil as a super-rich source of omega-3s, 6s and 9s. A 2013 International Journal of Ophthalmology study confirmed that omega-3 fatty acids can relieve symptoms of dry eye syndrome, especially in cases of blepharitis and meibomian gland disease. ² Compared to fish oil, krill oil also contains the highly powerful antioxidant Astaxanthin, which can benefit delicate organs like the eyes by protecting against free radical damage. For vegetarians and vegans, the essential fatty acids in hemp oil (not capsules) can provide the same benefit to manage dry eye inflammation.

4. Massage the eyelids. Using the little finger to roll and massage closed eyelids in a circular motion can help to increase circulation to the eye. This DIY form of acupressure may provide some relief for sore, dry, tired eyes.

5. Use eye drops often. MSM, a biological sulphur compound, combined with hydrosol silver, can soothe the eyes by helping to soften membranes, supporting healthy connective tissues and pH levels in the eyes. Hydrosol silver may also help to protect against infection in the eye.

As it is with so many types of chronic pain and irritation in the body, you may not notice how difficult it was to live with dry eyes until the symptoms have been cleared. Get rid of the pain, swelling and irritation and you’ll feel like you’re seeing the world anew.