4 ways to whiten your eyes

Have you ever wondered why the whites of your eyes aren’t gleaming white?

There are different reasons why the whites of your eyes may not look as bright as you think they should.

If they appear to be dull or yellowish, it’s time to give them some extra TLC.

About the eye.

The white part of your eye is called the sclera.

It’s serves as a tougher, protective layer of your eye to protect it and help it keep its structure.

The sclera is made up of collagen and fibres that have some elasticity.

What’s interesting about the sclera is your overall diet and healthy lifestyle choices can help keep the yellowish tinge of colour out of sight.

Eat a healthy diet

One of the best ways to keep your eyes bright and beautiful is to focus on eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like kale and spinach.

A nutrient-rich diet can help maintain the health of your eyes and the natural whiteness of the sclera, by reducing inflammation, redness and potential yellowing. (1)

Some specific essentials:

Vitamin A-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.
Vitamin C and antioxidants foods like citrus fruits, berries and leafy greens.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish like salmon & mackerel and plant sources like flaxseeds & walnuts.
Water-rich foods like cucumbers, lettuce, celery and watermelon.

Get enough sleep

When you haven’t had enough sleep, blood vessels in your eyes can dilate, making them appear red or bloodshot – this happens because lack of sleep triggers an inflammatory response. (2)

Making sure to get a full seven to eight hours of sleep each night can help reduce eye redness. (3)

Here’s a few tips for getting a good night’s sleep: (4)

Relax and unwind before you get into bed
Try to avoid screens like phones or laptops at least an hour before bed
Set up your sleeping environment (shut your curtains, turn your phone to silent, make sure your room isn’t too hot)

Drink the right fluids

Go easy on alcohol and caffeine as both can contribute to dehydration and worsen dry eyes (5) – instead try to drink lots of water.

Drinking between 8 and 10 glasses of water every day can help to keep your eyes clear and whiter. (3)

Here are some tips to help you stay hydrated: (5)

Set hydration reminds on your phone/smartwatch
Buy a reusable water bottle with measurements on so you can keep track of how much you drink
Add water-rich foods to your diet

Try brightening eyedrops

Murine®® Bright & Moist Eye Drops that instantly moisturises and brightens your eyes so they look radiant and feel revived.

It’s specially formulated to contain both a lubricant and a brightener to help refresh, soothe and alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes to make them look more radiant.

Added content references –

https://www.glasses.com/gl-us/blog/how-to-get-whiter-eyes#:~:text=Nutritional%20Powerhouses%20for%20Whiter%2C%20Brighter,keep%20eyes%20moist%20and%20healthy. (1)

https://www.rivertowneyecare.com/post/how-important-is-sleep-for-our-eye-health#:~:text=Introduction:%20How%20Important%20Is%20Sleep,as%20%22sleep%20deprived%20eyes.%22 (2)

https://www.nvisioncenters.com/eye-health/whiten-your-eyes/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20first%20things,Drink%20Water (3)

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/how-to-fall-asleep-faster-and-sleep-better/ (4)

https://www.dragarwal.com/blog/eye-wellness/the-importance-of-hydration-for-optimal-eye-function/#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,1. (5)