Dry eyes is more common in many people and is inconvenient to them. Millions of people face this problem and self-treat with eye drops or seek medical care. Mostly women and older people are trouble with this condition. Any one who has dry eye syndrome, his/her eyes might feel gritty, develop a stinging or burning sensation, chronic irritation, eyestrain, light sensitivity and blurry vision. Anyone can have problems with dry eyes, but women and older people tend to have more trouble with the condition.
Dry eyes occur because of insufficient amount of moisture (that doesn’t keep the eye moist and comfortable) produced by tear glands, opening of eyelids widely, such as can occur in cosmetic eyelid surgery, hyperthyroidism, large eyes (this can be seen in severe near-sightedness) or drooping of the lower eyelid with advanced age, resulting in faster evaporation of the tears on the surface of the eye. Some nutrients play an important role in treating dry eyes.
Vitamin A is needed for the health of all epithelial (surface) tissues; it is actually found in the tear film of healthy eyes, and is fundamental to the production of the mucous layer of the tears. Vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that protect the eyes from free radicals, such as toxins, irritants, allergens and inflammation. So, it it better to take drops containing vitamin A content. Before taking eye drops, it is better to consult the eye specialist otherwise, other problems would arise.
Vitamin B6 aids in the proper absorption of magnesium. Magnesium helps the body produce a hormone called prostaglandin E-7, which is necessary for tear production. Any way all of the B vitamins plays an important role in treating dry eyes.
Vitamin C is concentrated in the tear film to a higher level than that found in the blood.
Potassium is the important mineral for dry eye symptoms. It is usually very low in dry eye patients. You can take in at least 500 mg per day by increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables (one banana contains 400 mg).
Essential Fatty Acids are important for the production of both the oily, lipid and the watery aqueous layers of the tear film. After only ten days of taking essential fatty acids plus vitamins B6 and vitamin C, dry eye sufferers have seen an increase in tear production.