Quenching Dry Eyes: The Overlooked Key to Hydration

Dry, irritated eyes are a common nuisance, especially as we age. While eye drops can provide temporary relief, they don't address the root causes of chronic dry eye. An overlooked yet critical factor is proper hydration through water intake. By drinking enough water daily, we can hydrate our bodies, stimulate tear production, and soothing chronically dry eyes.

What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes occur when our tear glands don’t produce enough tears to keep our eyes lubricated. Tears prevent irritation by washing away dust and debris and containing protective antibodies and proteins. As we age, our bodies produce fewer tears, causing dryness. Environmental irritants, medications, health conditions, and staring at screens can also contribute to parched eyes.  

The Role of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals that help nerves and muscles function properly and maintain fluid balance. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Our lacrimal glands rely heavily on electrolyte balance to secrete tears effectively. If our electrolytes are out of balance due to dehydration, our lacrimal glands struggle to produce ample tears.  

Hydration: Our First Line of Defense
Because proper hydration sustains healthy electrolyte levels, drinking adequate water is one of the best ways to combat chronic dry eye. Water intake keeps electrolytes balanced, enabling tear production. Dehydration concentrates electrolytes, disrupting fluid secretion in lacrimal glands. Fortunately, we can reverse this chain of events through proper hydration.  

How Much Water Do We Need?  
Most healthy adults should consume at least 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women. These recommendations will vary based on age, health status, medications, activity levels, and climate. Checking your urine color is an easy way to gauge hydration. Pale yellow signifies adequate hydration, while dark yellow urine tells you to drink more water.  

Making Hydration Part of Your Routine
Getting enough water daily requires planning and consistency. Carry a refillable water bottle so water is always on hand. Set hourly alerts on your phone reminding you to drink water on busier days. Consume water with your meals and choose hydrating foods like fruits and veggies that are high in water content. Herbal teas, broths, and juices can provide hydration as well.

 
Hydration is a frequently overlooked remedy for managing dry, irritated eyes. Adequate water intake maintains electrolyte balance, enabling our lacrimal glands to secrete tears effectively. Making water a consistent part of our daily routines helps soothe chronically dry eyes while supporting whole-body health and wellness. Consistently sipping water throughout our days is an easy way to care for our eyes and feel our best.