Dry eyes can be painful and uncomfortable, but by following these 5 steps, you’ll be able to reduce dry eyes naturally without resorting to over-the-counter or prescription medication. The added bonus? You’ll also save some money!

1) Schedule regular eye checkups

Dry eye syndrome is a common disorder that can be treated. To prevent long-term problems, schedule regular appointments with your optometrist or ophthalmologist and have your eyes checked on a regular basis. Dry eye syndrome can sometimes cause redness and irritation of both your eyes and their surrounding tissues. If you notice these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

2) Always choose over-the-counter solutions

If you experience dry eyes often, it’s a good idea to always have some over-the-counter solutions on hand. Over-the-counter products are designed specifically for dry eye syndrome, so your symptoms should be greatly reduced by using them. If your OTC solution isn’t working as well as you want it to, consider seeing an eye doctor. Dry eyes can be caused by several different conditions and health problems that might not be solved with over-the-counter solutions alone.

3) Use humidifiers in your home

Humidifiers are simple and easy to use. They can also be effective at reducing dry eyes. Get one for your home and place it near where you spend most of your time, like a bedroom or living room. It will increase moisture levels in those rooms and help you sleep more comfortably at night. You’ll wake up feeling less fatigued and with fewer signs of dry eyes. For an added bonus, try installing a humidifier in your bathroom while you shower—the warm water will boost moisture levels even further.

4) Eat antioxidant-rich foods

Antioxidants help protect your eyes from free radicals—unstable molecules that can harm cells and even contribute to cancer. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, fish and whole grains are all great sources of antioxidants. When buying fish like tuna or salmon, check out products that are wild rather than farm-raised; studies have found wild fish have more antioxidant activity.

5) Get some sleep!

One of the most common causes of dry eyes is sleep deprivation. As you lose sleep, your body produces less tears, which dries out your eye surface and creates a vicious cycle of even less sleep and even drier eyes. If you feel like lack of sleep is affecting your life, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

This you may have dry eye?  Schedule your appointment today!