Homeopathic Dry Eye Treatment in LA

Best homeopathic dry eye treatment in Los Angeles

Chronic dry eyes can affect all areas of your life, preventing you from enjoying time outdoors due to wind or struggling at work due to constant screen use. Dry eye disease is one of the top concerns our ophthalmologists and optometrists hear at Laser Eye Center^™. Our renowned eye doctors have helped many patients reduce dry eye symptoms with iLux and BlephEx dry eye treatments. Our patients often wonder what they can change or try in their everyday lives to improve their dry eyes in addition to professional dry eye treatments. Homeopathic treatments may offer minimal symptom improvement.

Near Infrared Therapy (Low-Level Light Therapy)

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) exposes the ocular tissues to small amounts of near-infrared and red light. The specially designed LED light treatment gently warms the eyelids to release clogged oil in the meibomian glands, improving tear film quality and reducing tear film breakup time. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a leading cause of dry eye disease.

A 2022 study published in the International Journal of Scientific Reports evaluated 40 patients, 20 of whom received a placebo light treatment while the other 20 received LED-LLLT treatment. The LLLT group had twice-weekly treatments for three weeks and showed improvement in tear film break-up time, meibomian gland dysfunction index, corneal staining, and ocular surface disease index. LLLT patients significantly improved dry eye symptoms compared to the placebo group, especially in the upper meibomian glands.

Near-infrared light treatment for dry eyes and meibomian gland dysfunction can be safe and beneficial for some patients.

Yoga Exercises for the Eyes

Yogic eye exercises are gaining more popularity as people search for natural ways to improve dry eyes, but scientific evidence does not support the perceived benefits of eye yoga. However, some patients find yogic eye exercises helpful and relaxing.

Proponents of eye yoga exercises claim that the exercises condition and strengthen the eye muscles, decreasing digital eye strain and relieving dry, irritated eyes. However, these exercises won’t correct vision or reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

Yogic eye exercises can include:

Placing palms over the eyes and focusing on breathing to reduce eye fatigue
Blinking patterns to decrease digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome
Figure eight movements to increase eye flexibility and strength by tracing the lines of the number eight with the eyes
Near and far focus training to improve eye focus
Eye rolling for relieving eye strain
Focus shifting for eye strain and sharpening focus by moving focus from directly in front of the face to either side like during an eye exam

Ayurvedic Medicine and Candle Gazing

Ayurveda is a natural medicine system originating in India thousands of years ago. The word is derived from two Sanskrit words meaning life and science or knowledge, translating to knowledge of life. Ayurvedic teachers suggest dry, red eyes are more than an ocular surface disease and look deeper into why the symptoms exist. These practitioners see dry eyes as a dosha imbalance and byproduct of the body’s inner “ocean,” meaning blood, oily, watery, and other types of tissues in the body. Many ayurvedic eye care tips echo the same sentiments as Western medicine, including a diet rich in nutrients, adequate hydration, limited screen use or regular screen breaks, good sleep hygiene, and UV-protective sunglasses.

Trataka, or candle gazing, is a technique practiced by Ayurvedic practitioners. The treatment cleanses the eyes and increases concentration, among other suggested benefits, such as nasal, digestive tract, and intestinal cleansing. Trataka involves gazing steadily at an object and does not have to be the flame of a candle. Some people who practice Trataka “gaze” at an internal object like the “third eye” in the center of the forehead between the brows.

Candle gazing is touted to improve vision, intelligence, concentration, and memory by calming the mind, providing inner peace, and bringing great clarity. While these benefits don’t have clear scientific backing, a 2023 study on Trataka and cold eye packs for eye strain found either of these treatments could improve visual eye strain and eye fatigue in people with computer vision syndrome after 14 consecutive days of use. Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine may also recommend washing the eyes in Triphala water.

Vitamins and Diet Changes for Dry Eye Relief

Homeopathic Dry eye relief in Los Angeles

One potential cause of dry eyes is a nutritional deficiency, such as a diet lacking omega-3 fatty acids or Vitamin A. A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flax seeds, and other foods has been shown to improve dry eye symptoms. The fatty acids reduce eye inflammation and increase tear quality by enriching the lipid, or oily, layer of the tear film secreted from the meibomian glands. Foods such as salmon, tuna, chia seeds, walnuts, and palm or soybean oil can help dry eyes or fish oil supplements.

Boosting vital nutrients may also help dry eye disease, such as vitamins A, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, zeaxanthin, lutein, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. However, a balanced diet with various vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairy is best. A healthy diet can help people with diabetes who are more likely to have dry eye concerns due to nerve damage that affects tear production. Controlling blood sugar levels with appropriate meals and snacks reduces the risk of dry eyes and improves diabetic management.

Some of these homeopathic or natural dry eye treatments may not offer meaningful relief for patients, but some may experience mild improvements. The best way to address chronic dry eyes is by targeting the source of the issue with professional dry eye treatment, such as iLux and BlephEx.

If you struggle with dry eyes, contact our state-of-the-art eye care center in Los Angeles, California. Schedule a dry eye consultation with one of our renowned ophthalmologists by calling (800) 805-2737.

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