Eye pain is uncomfortable and frustrating as it interferes with your daily activities. When your eyes hurt, it can ruin your mood and change the course of your day. Since it isn’t always possible to get to a doctor, learning home remedies for eye pain can make all the difference.
You use your eyes for most things you do, so it is vitally important to take care of them. Using harsh chemicals to reduce eye pain isn’t always the best option, even when available. Instead, try home remedies for eye pain first for all-natural solutions.
You likely already have the ingredients on hand for home remedies for eye pain. Some of the tips don’t require ingredients at all, either. These natural remedies are easy to do and extremely helpful and effective.
No matter the cause of your pain, these home remedies for eye pain will help relieve the discomfort. Try the solutions for eye pain that you are comfortable with, and then adjust from there to figure out what works for you.
Ten Home Remedies for Eye Pain
These ten things may help alleviate the discomfort.
1. Eye Exercises
With the time spent staring at screens on your computer, smartphone, and tablets, eye strain is a common problem. If eyestrain causes your pain, eye exercises, or eye yoga, can effectively ease the discomfort.
Studies show that people who practice simple eye workouts regularly experience less eye pain. Additionally, they deal with less eye fatigue and strain too. Eye exercises can offer immediate relief and prevent discomfort in the future.
You can do these exercises anywhere, even as you sit at your desk. Some eye exercises you can try include the following:
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Eye Roll
Rolling your eyes will build strength as well as alleviate pain naturally. This exercise isn’t as simple as sarcastically rolling your eyes because it requires a little more work.
You must sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed, looking straight ahead. Then, look to the right before rolling your eyes up.
After that, roll your eyes to the left and then down toward the ground. Repeat this process 10 times, but go in the opposite direction each time.
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Palming
Close your eyes, cup your hands over your eye sockets, and imagine the pain leaving your eyes. Do this exercise for at least 30 seconds, staring into the dark space the entire time and absorbing the heat from your hands. When you open your eyes, they will feel refreshed and relieved.
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Eye Press
Before beginning, this exercise, close your eyes and inhale deeply. Place your fingers on your eyelids, using gentle pressure on your eyes for around 10 seconds.
Once you count to 10, slowly release your eyes and keep them open until your vision focuses. You can blink a little to help reorient yourself. Then, repeat the exercise 10 times.
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Zooming
If you stare at a computer screen most of the day, this eye exercise is perfect for you. Sit up straight and hold your arm out in front of you.
Put your thumb up and keep your eyes on your thumb. Then, bend your elbow slowly, bringing your thumb close to your eyes.
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 Slow Blink
Your eyes will become uncomfortable if they aren’t properly lubricated. By doing a slow blink, you can ease the eye pain and support the health of your eyes. Not only does it relieve discomfort, but it also helps with tired and itchy eyes.
Focus on a blank wall while sitting up straight and facing forward, and then slowly close your eyes. Keep them closed for half a second before slowly opening them back up. Do a slow blink 20 times in a row for an ultimate refresher.
2. Warm or Cold Compresses
Both warm and cold compresses improve the blood circulation of the eye, offering relief to eye strain and discomfort. If the pain stems from eye strain, a cold compress is best and forces the eye to relax.
On the other hand, if the pain is caused by an infection or sty, using a warm compress is best. A warm compress will help loosen anything blocking the oil gland. Apply the compress to your eyes for around five minutes, up to three times each day.
3. Breast Milk
Breastfeeding moms know that breast milk can treat many ailments, which is why it is sometimes called liquid gold. One study shows that breast milk prevents and reduces damage to the eye related to dry eyes. By helping to lubricate your eyes, breast milk offers immediate relief.
Another study recognized that breast milk slows or stops the growth of certain bacteria strains. With this being the case, eye pain caused by bacteria can heal with this home remedy.
4. Honey
If you have ever wondered why honey doesn’t spoil, the answer lies in its makeup. Honey is full of antimicrobial properties and is used around the world for its healing properties.
Honey helps reduce inflammation and bacteria, which is why it is so beneficial for relieving eye pain. It also helps reduce pain related to dry eyes and eye strain.
Before using honey on your eyes, it is necessary to note that you don’t want to use raw honey. Make sure you dilute it by boiling it with sterilized water until it is runny, then let it cool down before you apply it.
5. Cold Pressed Castor Oil
Castor oil contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory properties. With those benefits, this oil helps reduce irritation and swelling in your eyes. It helps relieve dry eyes and eases allergy-related pain, too.
Make sure to use pure and organic castor oil. Place up to two drops into your eye twice a day for soothing relief.
6. Drink More Water: Stay Hydrated
Many people don’t know that dehydration can cause eye pain, but it is a common problem. When you are dehydrated, your eyes get dry, and your tear glands don’t produce enough tears. Since this causes eye strain and irritation, you must stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Even if you drink eight glasses of water a day, you might need more. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the necessary amount tends to be much more than eight glasses. Men should drink about 15.5 cups of water each day, and women should drink 11.5 cups of water per day.
7. Turmeric
As a natural remedy for eye pain, turmeric is full of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These properties are in curcumin, which is a chemical found in turmeric. As it reduces inflammation, it also fights and prevents eye infections.
You can’t apply turmeric to your eyes without diluting it first, though. To dilute the turmeric, you will fill a glass with distilled or sterilized water and add half a teaspoon of turmeric. Mix it well, and then use an eyedropper to apply it twice a day.
If you don’t have an eyedropper, you can use it as an eye rinse instead. Bend over a sink as you slowly pour the liquid into your eyes. Keep your head tilted to the side to ensure the mixture doesn’t make a mess and get all over you.
8. Green Tea Bags
You can use warm or cold green tea bags to heal and soothe painful eyes. Green tea contains antioxidants that contribute to anti-inflammatory properties. This tea also has caffeine, which can constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation and pain in your eyes.
For this home remedy, dip the tea bags in warm or cold water and then drain the excess liquid. You can choose cold or warm based on your preference, as either method is effective.
Put the tea bags on your eyes for five to ten minutes, repeating the process up to three times each day. The more often you do it, the more effective it is for treating eye pain.
 9. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties that allow it to soothe and heal painful eyes. Studies show that it also contains anti-inflammatory components that help the external portion of your eye.
Use whole leaf aloe and dilute it with distilled water until it’s runny before applying. You can use aloe vera get as often as necessary, so keep it nearby for frequent use.
 10. Neti Pot
If your eye pain stems from excessive pressure from sinusitis, a Neti pot can help. When your sinus passages become clogged or inflamed, it causes intense pressure behind your eyes. Using a Neti pot can help clear the blockages and relieve eye pressure quickly.
Make sure you use sterilized water in your Neti pot and read the directions before using it. When used correctly, Neti pots are highly effective.
Final Thoughts Home Remedies For Eye Pain
Eye pain can be debilitating and hinder your ability to do daily activities. Figuring out the cause is helpful when determining which remedies for eye pain to try. You don’t have to suffer, so find the home remedy that works best for you.
Home remedies for eye pain can help you avoid an unnecessary doctor trip or offer relief when a doctor is unavailable. Start with one first, and then try another once you know if the first one helped. Once you are comfortable with each one, consider combining a few methods so that you can get ultimate relief from eye pain.