Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
A number of the best vitamins for dry eye include the following:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin B-12
Zinc
Dry eye is a condition that results in the lack of normal tears or an insufficient amount of tears to keep the eye moist. The prevalence of dry eye is estimated to be over 10 million Americans, with women and older age groups being most susceptible.
Fortunately, there are many vitamins that can help reduce symptoms and improve your overall health. Here’s how to incorporate them into your daily routine:
Vitamin A
The vitamin A found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and kale works to help improve tear production, according to WebMD. To get the most benefit from this vitamin, eat it raw rather than cooked — cooking destroys vitamin A.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Niacin helps increase blood flow in the body and has been shown to reduce inflammation in patients with dry eyes by lowering levels of cytokines (signaling molecules) produced by white blood cells called monocytes, according to a study published in Ophthalmology journal in 2011. Niacin also helps decrease pro-inflammatory mediators like histamine and prostaglandins which cause swelling and irritation in the eyes when they’re exposed to irritants like smoke or pollution from vehicles.
Dry eyes can be caused by a number of factors, including age and heredity. Dry eye syndrome is a condition where the eye does not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly.
Tears are made up of three layers: an oily outer layer that helps stop tears from evaporating, a middle watery layer that contains antibodies to fight infection and lubricants to keep eyes moist; and an inner mucus layer that helps protect against bacteria.
When you suffer from dry eyes, it can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. You may experience burning, stinging, itching or scratchy sensations. The symptoms may be worse in the morning when your tear production slows down overnight but can also recur throughout the day when you are exposed to wind or air conditioning.
The most common cause of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when tiny glands in your eyelids malfunction and fail to produce enough oil for tears. MGD affects around 30 million Americans every year according to AAD statistics
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the body’s production of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It also plays a role in converting food into energy, helping to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Vitamin B5 deficiency can lead to low levels of hemoglobin, which is what carries oxygen through the bloodstream. This makes it harder for the body to get oxygen to its organs and tissues.
Vitamin B5 helps maintain healthy skin, hair and nails by helping produce sebum — an oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands that keeps skin moist and soft. Sebum also helps prevent dryness in the eye area by keeping tears from evaporating too quickly on the surface of the eye.
Dry eyes can be caused by many factors such as weather conditions or certain medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants. The most common cause of dry eyes is aging — from middle age onward, tear production naturally decreases due to decreased oil production in our skin cells.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Thiamine helps the body convert food into energy. It also plays a role in nerve function and promotes healing in wounds.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Riboflavin helps release energy from carbohydrates and fats. It’s also important for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails.
Vitamin B6: Also known as pyridoxine, this vitamin helps break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates so your body can use them for energy. Vitamin B6 is also important for making red blood cells and healing wounds.
Vitamin B12: Also called cobalamin, vitamin B12 is needed for making DNA and red blood cells, as well as for normal brain function.
Choline: Choline is a nutrient that helps with cell growth and maintenance, especially in the liver and brain. Its only food sources are eggs and liver (and some fish), so it’s important to take a supplement if you don’t eat these foods regularly
Best vitamins for dry eye
“Supplementation with vitamins containing antioxidant properties and either omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids could be beneficial for dry eye disease; however, clinical trials are recommended for further investigation.” Conclusion: This information may provide a framework for new studies to use as a jumping off point when researching common, daily supplements and the overall health benefits of those supplements.
Our review has revealed that dry eye can be treated effectively with over the counter supplements, prescription medications and holistic remedies. You must consult your ophthalmologist before treating dry eye. Your doctor will assess if you have dry eye syndrome or another form of dry eye disease.
Since the cornea is made up of layers of tissue and collagen, it receives its nutrients from the tears. If the tear production is low, this can lead to a build-up of debris on the surface of the eye and other signs that dryness is present. Try our formula for dry eyes by combining these suggestions:
There are several vitamins that can help maintain and improve health of your eyes. Here is a list of the ones you should take to improve eye health:
Moisture is a critical component in keeping your eyes healthy, and in preventing or managing dry eye syndrome. To start, make sure that you have adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. This can reduce the risk of certain inflammatory disorders related to dry eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, eggs, flaxseed, canola oil and nuts such as walnuts. Incorporating these foods into your diet helps to keep mucous membranes moist, which prevents them from becoming dried out. Dryness is usually accompanied by inflammation and irritation from autoimmune reactions.
The vitamins listed here are some of the best known, and most research has verified their efficacy. It’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself significantly increasing your risk of heart trouble by increasing your intake of these vitamins. Even if you have no vitamin deficiencies, they might be able to help improve your overall health in other ways.