Posts Tagged ‘healthy foods’
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
• See your physician. Dry eyes can be a symptom of a more serious condition. In addition, the constant irritation caused by dry eyes can damage your vision over the long term.
• If you are taking antidepressants or beta-blockers, ask your physician if one of the side effects of the drugs you are taking is dry eyes. You may need a change in prescription.
• Artificial tears are available over the counter. These products are helpful in the short term, but provide only symptomatic relief. The preservatives in these drops can cause irritation in some people. If inflammation develops or seems to be becoming worse, discontinue using them.
• In severe cases, an ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to close the internal tear ducts, which funnel a portion of the tears from your eyes into your nose, and redirect the flow onto the surface of your eyes to provide greater lubrication.
• Xerophthalmia is treated with therapeutic doses of vitaminA.
DIETARY GUIDELINES
• Maximize your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. These healthy foods contain antioxidant phytochemicals that protect all the cells of the body, including those of the eyes, from free-radical damage.
• Eat clean, lean protein, such as that found in chicken and fish. Both protein and vitamin A are needed to maintain healthy eye wash.
• Limit your intake of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. These substances contribute to eye irritation and worsen the symptoms caused by many eye problems. Alcohol can also cause dehydration.
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