Dry eyes don’t always make themselves known right away.
At first, it’s just a mild discomfort. Then, as the day goes on, your eyes start to sting, itch, turn red… and sometimes you get that ultra-unpleasant feeling, like there’s sand trapped under your eyelids.
But don’t panic! Our very own grandma has shared her best natural treatments to soothe dry eye syndrome, and we’re adding our own tips to help you take care of your eyes on a daily basis. Whether you suffer from dry eye syndrome occasionally or due to wearing contact lenses, you’ll definitely find a solution here to relieve irritated eyes!
Before we start: what exactly is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eyes are like a final boss: to fight dry eye syndrome, you first need to understand it, recognize the symptoms, and know what causes it.
It occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the quality of those tears isn’t good enough to properly hydrate the surface of the eye. And no, tears aren’t just for crying! Their main role is to form a protective film that keeps your eyes hydrated.
How can you tell if you’re affected?
- Stinging eyes,
- Itchy eyes
- A burning sensation
- Red eyes, especially at the end of the day
- Blurred vision
- Quick eye strain, even after a short amount of screen time
All of these symptoms, together or separately, can indicate dry eye syndrome.
The main culprits include too much screen time without breaks and/or without proper protection, dry air, aging, lack of sleep, or wearing contact lenses.
Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s look at the natural remedies that can help soothe (or at least reduce the symptoms of) your poor, dry eyes.
1- Warm compresses: perfect for treating dry eyes
Warm compresses can help stimulate the tear glands and relieve dry eyes.
A study by Brandon Bzovey showed that warm compresses can increase tear production in people suffering from dry eye syndrome.
Warm compresses help your dry eyes in several ways:
- Heat and moisture, combined with gentle eye massage, help liquefy meibum (the substance that forms the lipid layer of the tear film). Once liquefied, this substance is essential for protecting and moisturizing the eye.
- The warmth from the compresses helps soothe irritation, providing a calming and anti-inflammatory effect.
To use this classic home remedy, simply soak a clean towel in warm water (around 104°F / 40°C), wring it out, and place it over your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this twice a day for optimal relief!
➡️ As a complement, eye massage can also be helpful.
💡 Good to know: there are also heated eye masks specifically designed for dry eyes. It’s up to you to choose what works best for you!
2- Cucumber: the ultimate natural remedy
Among natural remedies for dry eyes, cucumber is a must!
Cucumbers are rich in water and vitamins, making them an ideal solution for relieving dry eyes. Placing cucumber slices on the eyelids can help reduce inflammation and swelling by hydrating the tissues.
To do this, slice a cucumber and place the slices over your closed eyes for about 15 minutes. You can repeat this several times a week.
💡 Cucumber soothes tired eyes, but it’s also a beauty classic, widely used in anti-aging masks thanks to its high water content, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. And of course, it’s delicious in a salad—as long as you don’t reuse the same slice that’s been chilling on your eyes for a good 15 minutes.
3- Chamomile: every grandma’s go-to infusion
Chamomile is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent home remedy for dry and irritated eyes. It is also well known for helping relieve blocked tear ducts as well as conjunctivitis.
To use this method, steep chamomile tea bags in hot water and let them cool down (this part is important to avoid burning your eyelids). Then place the tea bags over your closed eyes for about 10 minutes.
💡 Chamomile is basically the answer to everything according to grandmas everywhere. It helps soothe dry, itchy eyes, but also anxiety, skin issues, and probably contributes to world peace too.
4- Castor oil: effective against dry eyes
Castor oil is an effective grandma-approved remedy for dry eyes, as it contains fatty acids that help hydrate the eyes. A hydrated eyeball is a happy eyeball—simple as that!
This is supported by a study on the effects of castor oil on tear film composition and stability. In it, Cécile Maïssa shows that castor oil helps stabilize the tear film and reduce dry eye symptoms. The study is in English, so if you’re wondering where she talks about “ricin,” well—that’s simply called “castor oil” in English. Weird flex, English language 🤷
A castor oil treatment is easy: soak a cotton pad in castor oil and apply it to your closed eyelids before going to bed. You can do this every evening.
5- Cornflower water: helpful for dry eyes, irritation, and more
Cornflowers are rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and dry eye symptoms.
In fact, a South Korean study conducted in 2023 shows that anthocyanins increase tear break-up time, raise intraocular pressure, and reduce the dry surface area of the eye caused by the condition.
To use this remedy, steep cornflower tea bags in hot water, then let them cool. Once ready, place the tea bags on your eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.
💡 Cornflower water is also used to soothe tired, irritated, and puffy eyes, reduce dark circles, calm, purify, tone—and save widows and orphans. In short, it’s such a versatile natural remedy that we dedicated a full article to it.
6- Rose water to soothe tired eyelids and eyes
Rose water—grandma absolutely loves it!
It’s especially hydrating, making it useful for dry and tired eyes.
But it’s also a natural antibacterial that deeply cleanses the skin, much to your face’s delight. In short, once again, a multi-purpose floral water!
You can soak a cotton pad in rose water and place it over your closed eyes for a few minutes to help relieve dry eye symptoms.
Practical tips to take care of your eyes
Your eyes are put under a lot of strain every day, so taking care of them really matters! To keep them healthy, here are some good habits to adopt:
🙈 Avoid rubbing your eyes
Rubbing your eyes can irritate the skin and worsen dry eye symptoms. Wearing non-prescription blue light glasses or even prescription ones can create a physical barrier that reminds you not to poke your eyes ^^
🌵 Avoid dry environments
Dry environments can be one of the causes of dry eyes. This is often the case in overheated rooms during winter. Use a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air, place a glass of water near your heater (as long as it’s not electric!), and try to stick to the ideal sleeping temperature whenever possible.
🕶 Protect your eyes from wind and sunlight
Strong winds and UV rays can cause dry eyes and other eye issues. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays, and use protective eyewear if you work in windy environments.
🚭 Avoid cigarettes and secondhand smoke
Cigarette smoke can irritate your eyes and worsen dry eye symptoms. Avoid smoky environments and try to quit smoking if you smoke yourself (easier said than done, we know).
🥗 Adopt a healthy diet
A varied and balanced diet, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, helps maintain good eye health. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (found mainly in oily fish) and vitamin A (carrots, green vegetables, oily fish—again!) are especially beneficial.
👾 Take regular breaks when working on a screen
Computer screens and other electronic devices can cause eye strain and worsen dry eye symptoms. Take regular breaks to rest your eyes, and try to reduce your screen time whenever possible.
💧 Use drops and eye treatments with moisturizing agents
If needed, use suitable treatments (eye drops, lubricating drops, eye creams) to moisturize your eyes and improve tear quality. Of course, we recommend consulting a doctor if symptoms persist.
Final thoughts: natural remedies for dry and itchy eyes
What is dry eye syndrome?
It happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tear quality is poor. The result: irritation, stinging, redness, and sometimes that uncomfortable “sand in your eyes” feeling.
Which natural remedies can soothe dry eyes?
Warm compresses, cucumber, chamomile, castor oil, cornflower water, rose water… There are plenty of natural remedies to soothe dry and irritated eyes. Each remedy works differently, and consistency is key.
How can you prevent dry eyes on a daily basis?
Here are a few tips to avoid red, dehydrated eyes: avoid overly dry or smoky environments, reduce screen time and take regular breaks, don’t neglect your lifestyle habits (restorative sleep, a varied and balanced diet, proper hydration), protect your eyes from blue light as well as from the sun and wind. And above all: resist the urge to rub your eyes—it will only make things worse!
Dry eye syndrome: when should you see a doctor?
Dry eye syndrome is a condition that should be taken seriously. If symptoms persist despite natural remedies, consult a doctor who can prescribe appropriate treatments (such as artificial tears or ophthalmic ointments).
Comments
Bonjour je souffre de sécheresse oculaire depuis 10 ans les oftalmo sont impuissant devant ce problème il se contentent de prescrire des larmes artificielles
Personnellement j’ai essayé le sel et miracle ça marche depuis 2 ans je vais mieux il faut acheter du sel fin sans additif c est très important donc du sel qui s aglomere dans la boîte
1 grosse cuillère à café dans 1 demi verre d eau bouillante mélanger laissé refroidir
Et mettre dans un flacon pulvérisateur
Des que vos yeux vous gênent pulvériser
Sur vos yeux ouvert ou fermé
Ça picote un peu et ensuite le soulagement arrive recommencer dès que le gêne revient et ce là va s espacer progressivement
Pour ma part je suis sauvé grâce à cette technique
Heureusement car je commençai à déprimé
Essayé et tenez moi au courant merci
Stephane
Bonsoir merci beaucoup pour vos conseille que dieu vous garde
J’étais opéré cinq fois pour un trou maculaire, ils sont pas arrivés à me refermer j’ai mal à mon œil ça me roule j’en peux plus. Amicalement Jacques on pense que c’est ces opérations qui m’ont abîmé la paupière.
Bonjour,
J’ai essayé l’huile de ricin sur les paupières à ras des cils et je peux vous dire que ça fonctionne. Je ne mets plus de gouttes ophtalmiques depuis 15 jours.
Mon ophtalmologiste se désespère de ne trouver aucune solution à ma sécheresse oculaire et moi j’en souffre beaucoup,j’ai du mal à lire, coudre,je ne peux plus faire de petits travaux manuels tant je suis gênée. Je vais essayer l’eau de rose,merci pour les conseils
Je vais essayer car je souffre énormément des yeux secs dûs au syndrome de Goujerot . Merci
Merci pour vos judicieux conseils pour la sécheresse oculaire; j’ai déjà des gouttes mais le repos et vos recommandations me feront un plus grand bien ! 🙏
bonjour
Je voulais juste vous remercier pour ces précieux conseils contre la sécheresse oculaire et j ai pris note
Cordialement.