How to Clean Your Eye

Eye Cleanse

Home-made eyewash

Eyes that are perpetually dry or itchy due to allergies may benefit from home-made eyewash, pinkeye caused by bacteria will not improve.

Such a condition requires antibiotic drops and should be brought to the attention of a physician. As well, chronic dry eyes may indicate other conditions and should be addressed by a medical professional. Some people also tout home-made eyewash as a way to relieve tired or strained eyes or to make eyes seems refreshed in those who are tired.

Water and Salt - A very simple recipe for home-made eyewash is to boil one cup of water with one teaspoon of salt. This liquid can then be used alone as both an eyewash and a nasal rinse. Some recommend adding herbs or tinctures to the liquid. One should be cautious when adding herbs to home-made eyewash as sensitivities to certain herbs can create more problems than they cure. As well, all herbal parts must be filtered out of the home-made eyewash prior to applying the wash to the eyes.

Green Tea - Another home-made eyewash is a simple mixture of green tea and distilled water. One adds two parts of brewed green tea to one part of water. This is thought to make the eyes feel refreshed and cooler if they are itchy or irritated. Some also advocate using tea bags directly on closed eyes to reduce swelling of the skin and may be dark circles.

Cold compress - Splash ice water on the face and eyes. Then, take ice packs or ice cubes, wrap them in a clean cotton towel and place it on closed eyelids. This helps relieve the eyelids and irritated eyes.

Goldenseal - Make a solution using 2 teaspoons of the herb to a cup of boiled water and use for a warm compress. May also be used as eye drops, 2-3 drops, three times daily.

Cucumber Slices - Cut two slices of cucumber, place in ice cold water for 10 minutes and place them on your closed eyelids for 10 minutes. The cool cucumber soothes your eyes. Closing and resting your eyes also helps reduce soreness.

Tea Bags - Tea contains bioflavonoids that fight viral and bacterial infections and can help reduce inflammation. Put a moist green or black teabag on the affected eye for several minutes. Repeat several times a day. If your eye is swollen, moisten the teabag with cool water. The tannic acid in the tea will soothe the itching. A weak solution of tea may be used as an eyewash.

Water - Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Intake of extra fluids helps to keep the eyes hydrated.

Coconut water is the best. Fresh lime water is also good.

Chilled Spoons - Place four metal spoons in a glass of ice water. When chilled, place one spoon on each eye. As the spoons keep in to warm, switch them with the spoons chilling in the glass of ice water. Continue until swelling subsides. The cool temperature of the metal spoons constricts the blood vessels, which helps decrease redness and puffiness in the eye area.

Aloe Vera Juice - Freeze aloe vera juice and then mix with a little bit of cold water and using a clean piece of cotton, place this mixture over your eyes.

Frozen Vegetables - Wrap a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel (you want to be able to feel the cold through it). Place it over closed eyes for 10 minutes

Castor Oil - Many commercial eye drops contain castor oil. Purchase a clean dropper, wash it thoroughly with soapy water and rinse well. Suck 100-percent pure castor oil into the clean dropper. Administer one drop of oil into each eye. Repeat this three times a day or as needed. The castor oil will soothe the eye and reduce the swelling and redness.

Warm Milk and Honey - Honey has amazing anti-bacterial properties. Making an eyewash with warm milk and honey can help to soothe and treat conjunctivitis.

Use equal parts of both honey and milk, making sure the milk is warm (not boiling). Mix together the remedy and keep stirring until the honey becomes smooth in the milk. Use an eyedropper and drop 2-3 drops into your eye several times a day. Alternatively, you can use this mixture as a compress. The anti-bacterial properties in the honey and the soothing effects of the milk will start to work immediately.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Mix 1 Tbsp pure apple cider vinegar with a cup of water. Use this mixture to wash your eyes by using a cotton ball. Use apple cider vinegar which contains is malic acid and fights against bacterial infections.

Potato - Grate a potato and place on the eye. It is an astringent and will help reduce the inflammation. The potato may also be made into a poultice and placed over the eye for 15 minutes. Do this for three successive nights.

Rose Water - Rose water is very helpful when a person has sore eyes. The procedure is simple, just take a cotton ball soaked in rose water and place it over the eyes. This will provide immediate relief and most of the burning will be gone after about five minutes.

Baking Soda - Make a soothing eyewash by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of water. Submerge your eye completely in the solution, doing your best to hold it open and roll it around for one full minute.

Cold Bread - Believe it or not, you can place cold bread on your eyelids and it will helps reduce irritation, itchiness and inflammation.

Fennel seeds - Fennel seeds are easily available. Boil them, cool the mixture and strain it. This can be used as an eyewash and is a good way to treat pink eye.

Turmeric - the best Effect - Use this for best results. Take about 10 gm of turmeric powder and dissolve it in cold water. Soak eye gauze in this water and put a piece over each eye. Cover these with water soaked towels and put some ice cubes on the towels for continuous coolness to the eye. Do this for 20 minutes for 7 days. This clears sclera and dissolves floaters in the eye. Improvement in vision is immediately noticed.

Note: None of these home-made products should be kept for more than a day or two, since they have no natural preservatives and may introduce bacteria to the eye

Essential food items for maintaining good eye health:

1. Fruits and Vegetables:

Oranges, Strawberries, Grapefruit, Papaya, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Spinach, Broccoli, Peaches, Carrots. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C and therefore are important for health of your eyes.

2. Dark-leafy vegetables and Yellow fruits:

Dark-leafy vegetables are good source of Beta-carotene. These are also source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Orange and yellow colored fruits and vegetables are also rich in Beta-Carotene.

3. Vitamin ‘E’ rich foods:

Vitamin E can be obtained through almonds, peanuts, eggs and sunflower seeds. Vitamin E is essential for the health of retina and blood vessels.

4. Antioxidants:

Antioxidants in garlic are useful in preventing cataracts, as suggest preliminary studies. Turmeric contains Cur cumin antioxidant which has been found to prevent cataracts.

Happy Health With Your Eyes