Did you know that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air? In fact, according to the EPA, indoor air pollutants may be 2–5 times higher than outdoor pollutants!
How much can this affect our eyes? Dramatically! Particles from cleaning agents, paint, carpet and mold (not to mention just super-dry indoor air) cause a host of health issues—including chronic dry eye.
Air-Purifying Plants Can Help Clean Your Personal Space
Indoor air purifiers can run hundreds of dollars. Why not try Mother Nature’s solution first? Houseplants! Houseplants absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and increase moisture levels in the air. In addition, they can remove up to 89% of harmful chemicals and irritants from the surrounding air.
A Few Favorites
1. Bamboo palm, or Reed Palm – This plant can grow large and lush and thrives in shady areas. Other palms, like the Dwarf Date Palm and the Areca Palm, are also great air purifiers.
2. Rubber Plant – Rubber plants are super easy to care for. You have probably seen them around a lot with their large and shiny leaves.
3. Philodendron – Philodendrons have always been popular indoor plants, even before we knew about their great purifying qualities. They’re durable, beautiful and come in many different forms, from climbing vines to tree-like plants.
4. Peace Lily – The Peace Lily is small but tough! It absorbs toxins like acetone, ammonia, xylene, and even mold. They’re great for dark, moist places. As a bonus, they grow beautiful flowers!
> Learn more about these plants and how to care for them.
Put Houseplants To Work For Your Eyes!
Besides helping your eyes, studies suggest that having houseplants can reduce stress and increase attention span. Your eyes will thank you—not only for having something beautiful to look at, but also for creating a more eye-friendly environment! If dry eye is a chronic problem for you, or for someone you care for, contact a Vision Source doctor. We can help find other solutions.
Top image by Flickr user The Greenery Nursery used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
