Unlike most of our body’s organs, the eyes are exposed to the forces of nature, only protected by our eyelids and eyelashes. Exposure to the air can cause our eyes to become dry, and this is where our tears come in. Tears usually aid in keeping the eyeballs moisturized and prevent irritation from excessive dryness. If your eyes are unable to produce tears, you might have a condition known as dry eyes.
Anyone with this condition may experience sensitivity to light, discomfort, and red, inflamed eyes. Dry eyes is a fairly common condition and is usually self-diagnosable. While there are treatments for this condition, they typically vary based on severity. Here are a few natural remedies for dry eyes:

1. Running a humidifier
The most important issue with chronic dry eyes is that your eyes are not moisturized enough to function properly. If you do not feel comfortable putting foreign liquids in your eyes or even placed objects near them, using a humidifier is a safer alternative. Humidifiers increase the amount of moisture in the air, eventually soothing your eyes and unclogging the glands. It might take a while, but you will feel much more relieved afterward. If you do not own a humidifier, placing a pan or bowl of water near your radiator will have a similar effect.

2. Omega-3 supplements
Omega-3 or fish oil is helpful in increasing the number of oils your glands can produce. Fish, such as sardines, trout, salmon, and tuna contain large amounts of Omega-3. Other foods, such as walnuts and flax seeds, contain smaller amounts. If you cannot consume any of these foods, you might want to try taking daily supplements. These supplements will provide the same amount of nutrition you typically receive from fish and greatly help to reduce eye irritation.

3. Castor oil eye drops
While you may be tempted to run to the nearest pharmacy and purchase a few over-the-counter eye drops to clear up redness, these drops are typically full of preservatives that may do more harm than good for your eyes in the long run. A better alternative are eye drops containing castor oil, a substance with anti-inflammatory characteristics. These drops work quickly to reduce the amount of swelling, irritation, and redness in your eyes. If you are looking for chronic dry eyes treatment, this may be your best bet.

4. Warm eye compresses
Tears are made of water, mucus, and oils. When your eyes are dry, the glands that create these components may become clogged. To unclog these glands, place a warm washcloth on the affected eye for a few minutes. The moisture and heat aids in unclogging the glands and helping your eyes produce more tears.

5. Natural tears eye drops
Various eye drops have been created to replicate real tears, although some may have harmful ingredients. When purchasing synthetic tears, be sure to look out for preservative-free eye drops. These eye drops will work almost immediately and have no harmful consequences.

If your condition is chronic, you may want to speak with an ophthalmologist about the options that are better suited to you. Be sure to mention the symptoms that you have been experiencing and how long they have been occurring. Not all OTC eye drops were made for chronic conditions, so be sure to consult with your physician before purchase.