What is good for my eyes?

If your eyes aren't doing well, you don't always have to go straight to the ophthalmologist. Home remedies or a conscious approach to the causes can help with certain phenomena. In this article we have put together what is good for you...

… WITH INFLAMMATED EYES?

Not every conjunctivitis needs or can be treated with medication. The annoying inflammation often heals on its own. One or the other home remedy also helps to speed up the healing process.

But watch out! Some home remedies can do more harm than good. One example is chamomile, the classic home remedy. Chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect, but can have the opposite effect if used incorrectly. The reason: the flower contains fine hairs that can also irritate the eyes. On the other hand, quark wraps and marigold or eyebright have proven themselves - also as a compress. It is helpful to pay attention to a good diet: Eat less starchy and sugary foods, such as white bread, fatty meat and tea, and instead eat more citrus fruits and fish.

What many do not know: Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious. The constant rubbing causes the pathogens to stick to the hands. Even if it's not easy, be careful not to rub your eyes.

… FOR DRY EYES?

The most common reason for dry eyes is screen work. The reason: A person normally opens and closes their eyelid ten to fifteen times. However, most people forget to blink in front of the computer screen. You stare intently at the screen and rarely blink, so your eyes don't get enough moisture. The term "office eye syndrome" has therefore become commonplace in the English-speaking world. But other everyday conditions also put more strain on the eyes than you think: Tobacco smoke, exhaust fumes, dry heating air or air conditioning systems cause the tear film to evaporate more quickly.

Take precautions! Look away from the screen more often and be careful not to expose your eyes to excessively dry air. Getting enough sleep is also important so that our eyes can recover and start the new day fit. If necessary, artificial tears can help. Lubricating eye drops are available in pharmacies and are used one to three times a day in case of symptoms.

… FOR SWOLLEN EYES?

The causes of swollen eyes are very different. Sometimes it's just the short night or the contact lenses that you've worn for too long. Of course, swollen eyes in mourning phases are also not uncommon. But what if the eyes swell without lack of sleep or crying? Allergies are often the cause of swollen eyes. The eyes are itchy, red and teary. The reason is often seasonal pollen, animal hair or mites. To determine the cause more precisely, you should do an allergy test. Your ophthalmologist will be happy to advise you further.

Important: Drink plenty of water. Adequate hydration helps to increase lymph transport and thus prevent swollen eyes. In the morning you can relieve the swelling with a spoon that has been stored in the freezer at night.

… FOR TIRED EYES?

Eyes that are focused on a monitor throughout the day are exposed to high levels of stress and tire more quickly. Help your eyes by maintaining a good environment. Many workplaces are poorly lit. Ensure uniform lighting that does not create any glare. In between you can train your eyes with small exercises. Sit up straight in the chair and rotate your eyes clockwise five times. Or fixate on points in the distance.

Another fatigue factor for our eyes is the low humidity that prevails in most rooms (especially in the cold season). Regular airing can quickly remedy this: Open your windows once an hour for two to three minutes.

With all eye diseases, you should keep an eye on your diet. The old medical motto "drinking a lot helps" also applies here: make sure you drink enough fluids. In addition to water, herbal teas and fruit juice spritzers are great for covering your fluid needs. It should be 1.5 to two liters per day that you consume in this way. You can also do your eyes good when you eat: raw carrots, blueberries and strawberries provide the eyes with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are important for the production of the visual pigment rhodopsin.