Vitamins and Foods for Dry Eye Relief

Finding any relief for evaporative dry eye is important, especially if you’ve been uncomfortable for quite some time. Luckily, there are some foods and vitamins that can help improve your recovery time and prevent dry eyes going forward.

Optometrist Alexandra Williamson, OD, shares which foods and supplements are most helpful and why you should check with a healthcare provider before stocking up.

Are there good vitamins for dry eyes?

Anything you eat plays a part in how your body responds to various illnesses and treatments. So, making changes to your diet and nutrition can have a big impact on your overall health.

An anti-inflammatory diet, for example, may help treat chronic inflammatory conditions. So, you may want to evaluate what vitamins, minerals and foods you’re eating when you have an underlying condition like dry eyes.

“We know healthy oils and leafy green vegetables contain specific vitamins that are healthy in general for everyone,” says Dr. Williamson. “But when it comes to vitamins and supplements, you want to focus on moderation and what’s individually recommended for you by your doctor. It’s important not to overdo it.”

Risks of vitamin use for dry eye treatment

Any time you increase or decrease the amount of vitamins or supplements you’re consuming, it’s important to talk to your primary care provider or family physician. This is also true if you’re seeing an optometrist for treating dry eyes or any other specialist, like a cardiologist.

“What’s healthy for your body is healthy for your eyes, too,” says Dr. Williamson. “But whenever you’re taking something by mouth, it’s not just going to your eyes. So, we have to coordinate with your regular doctor and any specialists you’re seeing so we can treat your dry eyes in the context of everything else you’ve got going on.”

Too much of any vitamin can be toxic, and too little can cause vitamin deficiencies. So, if you start making a bunch of changes without clearing it first with a healthcare provider, you may end up with bigger problems.

Helpful vitamins for dry eyes

Once you get an all-clear from a healthcare provider, they may recommend the following vitamins for dry eyes, along with other substances found in different foods and supplements:

• Vitamin A has many benefits for healthy vision. It keeps your eyes moisturized and can be found in foods like eggs, dairy products, carrots and sweet potatoes.
• Vitamin B12 helps protect the nerves needed for tear production and may prevent age-related macular degeneration. Find it in beef, salmon, tuna, liver and yogurt.
• Vitamin C wards off dry eyes by reducing inflammation. This antioxidant can be found in a variety of foods, like citrus, broccoli, kale, red peppers and tomatoes.
• Vitamin D also helps keep your eyes lubricated and reduces inflammation. Find this fat-soluble vitamin in fortified cereals, juices, dairy and plant-based milks.
• Vitamin E deficiency leads to an increased risk for dry eyes because it protects your eyes from cellular damage. High vitamin E sources include sunflower seeds, nuts, corn oil and spinach.
• Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in a variety of fish, beans, leafy vegetables and flaxseed oil. These strengthen the oil in your tears, which helps improve dry eyes.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in colorful, rich foods like leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers and grapefruit. They help block damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays and blue light, which can lead to dry eyes when you’re overexposed.

When taken in moderation, any one of these vitamins can complement traditional dry eye treatments. But unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider, you should focus on getting most of your vitamins from whole food sources and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Supplements aren’t always safe for everyone, especially because they’re not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you’re unclear of your vitamin levels or you’re curious about increasing your doses, make an appointment with a healthcare provider first. You can always bring this up at your next eye exam, too.

“The best thing you can do is come in and talk to the experts,” advises Dr. Williamson. “Keep up with regular visits and be honest with us about your symptoms and any supplements you’re taking.”