For those of us who sit in front of a screen for hours at a stretch daily, eye strain is a common enemy. However, many of tend to overlook the slights of this foe until it is too late. If you are experiencing constant eye fatigue and feel a persisting dryness and/or itching sensation in your eyes, you may want to consider taking to some home remedies for eye strain before darting off to the pharmacy for an over-the-counter solution.

Caused by excessive screen time, extreme exposure to digital devices, improper sleep patterns, lack of sleep, reading in improper lighting for long durations, exposure to bright light, allergies and/or incorrect eye prescriptions, eye strain can be accompanied by fatigue, redness, dryness, soreness, swelling, irritation, headaches, watery eyes, lack of concentration, or backache and pain the neck and shoulders. Usually the symptoms subside after a round of sleep, but it is important to sit up and take note before the situation aggravates. In early stages, home remedies for eye strain can come in handy.

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Here are some of the natural ways to counter eye strain:

1. Eye massage

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Eye massage is one of the most handy tricks in the book to alleviate eye strain. Not only does it improve blood circulation to the eyes but also soothes and relaxes the muscles in and around the eyes. Also, it stimulates the tear glands, thereby preventing dryness. You could use your fingers to gently massage your eyelids and the muscles around the eyes for about 15-20 minutes. You could also massage the temple and upper cheek bones. Repeating the process twice daily shall prove to be extremely effective. You could use olive oil or an eye cream for the massage as well.

2. Palming

A great way to relax strained eyes, you can use this effortless method to give your eyes a break from long hours of reading, screen-time etc. All you need to do is sit up straight in a comfortable position, rub your hands together for creating some warmth and thereafter, place your palms on your closed eyes for about 30 seconds. Repeating the process 4-5 times in one round and using the method as many times during the day as required can help relax your strained eyes. The process can be used anywhere and everywhere- and hence, taking intermittent breaks during work can ensure proper care for your peepers as well.

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3. Sunning

Sunning is an extremely useful technique to relax your eyes. Stand in a place that receives ample sunlight between 8 am and 10 am every morning. Close your eyes and allow the sunrays to warm your eyelids. Feel the warmth and slowly open your eyes, looking up and down, right to left and clockwise and counterclockwise. Repeat for five minutes. Follow up with palming in the sunlight and use the method regularly. Not only shall you feel your peepers charged up for taking on more, you shall receive Vitamin D and a replenished reserve of energy to get through the day. You need to remove your glasses and/or contact lenses while using this method.

4. Eye exercises

Using eye exercises can go a long way in relaxing your eyes and alleviating eye strain. Exercise improves blood circulation to the eyes, relaxes the eyes muscles, bolsters their flexibility and improves focus and concentration. Hold a pencil at an arm’s length and focus on its tip. Slowly, bring the pencil closer along your line of vision without breaking your focus. Then, move it farther away without interrupting your focus. Repeat for 10-15 times. You could also try rolling your eyes in clockwise and counterclockwise directions every few seconds. Take a break and blink for 4-5 seconds. Go back to the pencil exercise. Doing this twice daily shall help prevent eye strain and improve your eyesight.

5. Cold water

Splashing cold water on your face can prove to be an extremely useful method to improve blood circulation to the eyes, relax strained eyes and reduce swelling and puffiness. While splashing some cold water on your face and eyes can provide instant relief from strained eyes, you could also use a more concentrated remedy in a cold washcloth spread out on your closed eyes for about 2 minutes during work breaks. Alternatively, you could use a cold compress for when your eyes are suffering from extreme fatigue and have swollen. The cold compress shall bring down the puffiness and relax your peepers.

6. Warm compress

You could also use a warm compress to reduce the puffiness in your eyes and soothe strained eyes. Dip a soft cloth in warm water, wring out the extra moisture and place the cloth on your closed eyes for 2-3 minutes. Relax and breathe slowly through the process. Repeat 4-5 times. Doing this daily can reduce strain, soothe dryness and relax your eyes.

7. Chamomile tea

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Using chamomile tea bags on your eyes is a proven technique to reduce the puffiness and swelling around eyes, relax them and even alleviate an accompanying headache. Steep 2 chamomile tea bags in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes, remove them and place one of them in the refrigerator and the other on your kitchen counter. If you prefer a cold treatment, use the refrigerated tea bag on your closed eyelids for about 10 minutes. If you prefer a hot treatment, use the one placed on the kitchen counter on your closed eyelids for the same span. You can repeat the process as often as you like.

8. Rose water

Rose water naturally soothes strained eyes and rejuvenates the muscles around the eyes, reducing any swelling or puffiness in the process. It also helps to fade out dark circles. Splash your face with some cold water, pat dry and use two clean cotton balls soaked in rose water to cover your eyes. Keep them on for about 10-15 minutes and repeat the process twice daily to achieve significant improvement.

9. Cucumber

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Cucumber has astringent properties that help to soothe strained eyes and reduce any swelling or puffiness owing to a coolant effect. You could simply use a cooled cucumber from the refrigerator to slice and place the slices on your closed eyelids for 10 minutes twice every day. Alternatively, you could try the same remedy with potato slices.

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10. Whole milk

Dip a cotton ball in cold whole milk and place them on your closed eyelids for about 10 minutes twice in a day. The cooling effect shall help reduce strain, relax your eyes and wring out any fatigue or tiredness. It shall also alleviate dryness and soothe your strained eyes.

Remember to keep your windows to the world bright and beaming!

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