Surprising Key to VIBRANT ENERGY
62% of women over 50 suffer from the draining effects of dry eye. Here, natural strategies that can help
For years, Jennifer Aniston suffered through unexplained eye swelling, irritation and headaches. “I was constantly using eye drops,” she has said. “Reading scripts starts to become impossible.” But like more than half of her fellow sufferers, she didn’t realize dry eye was to blame.
Dry eye occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears — and women over 45 are at higher risk since waning estrogen levels cause the body’s mucous membranes (including those that protect the eyes) to dry up. The problem goes beyond eye redness, grittiness, itching and blurry vision, adds ophthalmologist Steven Maskin, M.D. Since dry eye makes it harder to complete visually oriented tasks, sufferers are also prone to increased stress and fatigue. Fortunately, natural strategies can relieve dry eye and restore energy.
LOAD UP ON OMEGA-3S
Women who eat omega-3–rich tuna several times a week lower their risk of dry eye by 68 percent, say researchers at Harvard. Credit the oil’s fats, which help keep tears from evaporating. Experts advise eating three weekly servings of tuna, salmon or herring or taking 2 to 3 grams of fish oil daily. A brand we like: Natrol Omega-3 Fish Oil ($8, natrol.com).
TRY CHILLED DROPS
OTC artificial tears coat and protect irritated eyes, but some brands contain preservatives that cause redness and itchiness. The choice Robert Latkany, M.D., author of
The Dry Eye Remedy, says is safest: preservative-free drops or gel in sealed single-use packages (such as TheraTears Liquid Gel, $14, drugstores). And for optimal relief, store the drops in the fridge. Studies show cooled drops are the best at relieving inflammation and irritation.
ENJOY THIS SIP
Tear production rises by 30 percent within 2 hours of consuming 200 mg of caffeine, say scientists in the journal Ophthalmology. They theorize that since caffeine increases secretions like saliva and gastric juices, it may also rev tear production. A cup of coffee has 100 to 200 mg of caffeine, but since caffeine can be dehydrating, experts advise limiting coffee to two cups a day and sipping lots of water.
TAKE “BLINK BREAKS”
Blinking wets the eyes to ward off dryness, but many of us miss out on this perk, especially when we’re staring at a screen. The fix: taking “blink breaks” every 15 minutes. To remind yourself to do so, download free “Blinkers” at dryeyezone.com/ reminders. The “eyes” blink every 10 seconds to remind you to do the same.