Burning, gritty, tired eyes that feel worse at the screen and in an air-conditioned room, with watering that makes no sense, are classic signs of dry eye. It is one of the commonest eye complaints today, linked to long screen hours, ageing and dry air. This guide explains the symptoms, causes and warning signs of dry eyes, what helps, and the homeopathic medicines traditionally considered, along with how our specialists approach each person.
Wondering which of these medicines is right for you?
Every person with dry eyes is different, and so is the medicine that works best for them. To discover the best-suited homeopathic medicines for dry eyes for you, consult our experts. They will study your symptoms, your past treatment history and your personality, and then find the homeopathy medicines that suit you best.
Call +91 8080 850 950 for a 1:1 personal consultation with our experts today.
Dry Eyes: quick answers
- What is it? A condition in which the eyes do not make enough tears, or the tears dry up too quickly, leaving the surface of the eye irritated.
- Main symptoms: Burning, grittiness, redness, tired eyes, fluctuating blurred vision and, oddly, watering.
- Common causes: Long screen time, ageing, air-conditioning and wind, contact lenses, menopause and some medicines.
- See a doctor for: Severe pain, loss of vision, a red painful eye with light sensitivity, or pus.
- Our approach: Meet our specialists for your personal best homeopathic remedy and a plan that supports your recovery.
About dry eyes
The tear film has three layers: oil, water and mucus. If the glands that make the oil layer are blocked, or if you do not make enough of the watery layer, the tears evaporate quickly and the surface of the eye becomes dry and inflamed. Paradoxically, irritated eyes may then water excessively, because the surface is stressed.
Dry eye is often caused by blinking less when looking at screens, as we blink about half as often while concentrating. It can also signal an underlying condition such as Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid eye disease or vitamin A deficiency, so persistent symptoms deserve an eye examination.
Common symptoms of dry eyes
Symptoms vary from person to person. Common ones include:
- A burning, stinging or gritty feeling, as if there is sand in the eye
- Redness and tired, heavy eyelids
- Watering of the eyes, especially in wind or air-conditioning
- Blurred vision that clears on blinking
- Sensitivity to light
- Stringy mucus around the eyes
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty reading, driving at night or working on a screen
Causes and risk factors of dry eyes
There is rarely a single cause. Factors that may contribute include:
- Long hours on screens with reduced blinking
- Ageing and menopause
- Air-conditioning, heating, wind, smoke and dry climates
- Contact lens use
- Blocked oil glands in the eyelids (meibomian gland dysfunction)
- Autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis
- Medicines such as antihistamines, antidepressants and some blood-pressure tablets
- Diabetes, thyroid disease and vitamin A deficiency
Warning signs and when to get urgent help
Please see an eye doctor promptly, and go to the nearest hospital emergency department if there is:
- Severe eye pain, or sudden loss or change of vision
- A red, painful eye with sensitivity to light
- Yellow or green discharge, or swelling of the eyelids
- An injury, or a chemical splashed into the eye
- Dry eyes with a very dry mouth, joint pain or swollen glands, which may point to an autoimmune condition
Homeopathic medicines for dry eyes
The medicines below are commonly considered in homeopathy for dry eyes, with the symptom picture traditionally associated with each. They are listed for general information, not as a prescription.
(1) Euphrasia officinalis: Burning, watery eyes with redness, sensitivity to light and a feeling of sand in the eyes, relieved by blinking.
(2) Natrum muriaticum: Dry, burning eyes with a feeling of strain and tiredness on reading, and a tendency to headaches.
(3) Pulsatilla: Dry, itching eyes with thick, bland discharge, worse in a warm room and better in the open air.
(4) Argentum nitricum: Tired, red, inflamed eyes with a feeling of strain, worse in warm rooms and on using the eyes.
(5) Ruta graveolens: Eye strain with a burning feeling and a tired, red look after fine work, reading or a computer.
(6) Alumina: Dry eyes with a heavy feeling of the eyelids and burning, with dryness of the skin and mucous membranes.
(7) Arsenicum album: Burning, watering eyes with restlessness, and a wish for warm applications.
(8) Sulphur: Burning, red eyes with a gritty feeling, worse from washing and heat.
(9) Calcarea carbonica: Tired, sensitive eyes in chilly, easily tired people who work long hours.
(10) Phosphorus: Tired, burning eyes with sensitivity to light and a tendency to spots before the eyes.
Homeopathic treatment of dry eyes at Welling Homeopathy
These are only basic indications – many more homeopathic medicines are used for dry eyes, and the right one is chosen after detailed case-taking by an experienced doctor.
Homeopathy is offered here as individualised, supportive care alongside your current treatment. Reliable scientific evidence that homeopathy treats dry eyes is limited, so it should not replace a medical diagnosis or any treatment your doctor considers necessary. Please do not stop, skip or change any prescribed medicine on your own; any change should be discussed with the doctor who prescribed it and with our specialists.
Meet our specialists to find your personal best homeopathic remedy and a care plan that supports your recovery. Please do not delay: the earlier you begin, the better. Read about our homeopathic care for dry eyes, contact a Welling clinic or call +91 80 80 850 950 for a consultation in person or online.
Self-care and lifestyle tips
These measures support general health and may ease symptoms, but they do not replace treatment when it is needed.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and blink often.
- Place your screen slightly below eye level and keep it at arm’s length.
- Use lubricating eye drops as advised by your eye doctor, and warm compresses to unblock the eyelid glands.
- Avoid direct air from fans and air-conditioners, and wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors.
- Drink enough water, and eat foods with omega-3 fats, vitamin A, carrots, leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.
- Avoid smoke, and give your eyes a rest from contact lenses.
Frequently asked questions about dry eyes
1. What is the best homeopathic medicine for dry eyes?
There is no single best medicine. Euphrasia, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla and Argentum nitricum are among those traditionally considered, but the right one depends on your symptoms and general health. Please consult our specialists rather than self-prescribing.
2. Can homeopathy help dry eyes?
Homeopathy is offered as supportive care and results vary. Reliable evidence is limited, so an eye examination for the cause is still important.
3. Why do my eyes water if they are dry?
Irritation of a dry surface makes the eyes produce a rush of watery tears, which does not coat the eye well and drains away.
4. Can screens cause dry eyes?
Yes. We blink far less when we look at screens, so the tears evaporate and the eyes become dry and tired.
5. Are lubricating drops safe to use every day?
Preservative-free drops are generally safe for frequent use, and your eye doctor can advise which type is best for you.
6. Can dry eyes damage vision?
Mild dry eye rarely does, but severe or long-standing dryness can inflame or damage the surface of the eye, so persistent symptoms need an eye examination.
7. How do I book a consultation?
Call +91 80 80 850 950 to book a 1:1 consultation at a Welling clinic or online.
Related Reading
- Treatment of Dry Eyes
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Weak Eyesight and Myopia
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Cataract
More guides on eye health
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Weak Eyesight and Myopia
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Cataract
To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.