Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is the most common of eye irritation , causing soreness, redness or discharge. Blepharitis produces similar symptoms, and both conditions may be a result of injury , infection, a foreign body in the eye , allergy, or exposure to irritating chemicals , such as those in cigaqrette smoke and vehicle exhaust fumes.
Conjunctivitis involves an inflammation of the conjuctiva , the transparent membrane covering the whites of the eye and lining the lids. The eyes look red , feel gritty and itchy, and produce a discharge that in infective conjunctivitis may cause the eyelids to stick together during sleep. In allergic conjunctivitis-which is often associated with allergic rhinitis- the discharge is clear , and the eyelids are often swollen . the eyes may be abnormally sensitive to light.
Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids, causes redness, irritation and scaly skin at the lid margines. There may be crusty beads of dried discharge on the lids and lashes. The condition, which is sometimes associated with dandruff or eczema , tends to recur.
PREVENTION
Reduce your chances of catching eye infections by never sharing towels or face washers and by encouraging any household member who is goggles when performing tasks that generate dust or smoke and when swimming in pools if you are sensitives to chlorine.
If you are susceptible to eye infections , you can build up your resistance by eating five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, including berries and yellow and orange produce . avoid foods made with white flour and sugar.
Foreign body in the eye.
Dust particles are usually easily removed by blinking . larger objects can sometimes be removed using the methods below. Seek medical help if a foreign body is on the pupil or embedded in the eye, or f first aid fails.
- Lower lid: try flushing out the object with water or lifting it out by touching only the white part of the eye with the dampened corner of a clean cloth or tissue.
- Upper lid:Holding the lashes, gently pull the lid outwards and downwords over the lower lid, or try flushing the object out by blinking underwater.
TREATMENT
If you ar suffering from an eye infections, avoid touching your eyes , and wash your hands often. Also, be sure to wash towels , face washers and bedsheets frequently.
If you have blepharitis and dandruff, you should treat the dandruff at the same time see fungal skin infection.
Diet: Persistent eye irritation may result from an allergy and could improve if you exclude dairy products, tea and coffee from diet.
From the pharmacy: to help fight infection and soothe irritation , take supplements of evening primerose oil, vitamin A, B and E , and flavonoids, as directed on the bottle. For infectios conjunctivitis , try a boric-acid eyewash.
Homeopathy
- Aconite: if eyes feel hot , dry and gritty and look red and inflamed, with swollen lids. The symptoms may have been caused by cold wind.
- Apis: if eyelids are red and puffy.
- Belladonna: if eyes are dry , bloodshot and sensitive to light, and symptoms develop quickly.
- Euphrasia: if eyes water and burn . bathe the eyes with a few drops of the tincture in an eye bath or sterilized water. You should use fresh solution for each eye.
- Pulsatilla: if you have a yellowish discharge that does not burn or irritate , but the eyelids are sore and, perhaps , sticky.
Herbal Remedies: Bathing the eyes in eyebright tea soothes many symptoms . simmer the tea for 10mins to sterilize the liquids, then cool and strain (through a sterilize gauze pad or cheesecloth) into a sterilke eyecup. Use fresh tea for each eye and do not store any leftover tea.
To booste yor immune system, drink tea made from a combination of eyebright, Echinacea, clevers, burdock and liquorice. Drink a cup once or twice daily for two weeks.
Caution: For safety concerns
Accupressure for eyes
Soothe irritated eyes by pressing one or more of the points described below steadily for about two minutes. Release and repeat every few breaths.
- The point (tai yang) one thumb-width away from outer bony margin of the eye , level with the top of the ear.
- The point (Liv 3) on the top of the foot between the first and second toes, along with the point (GB 37) on the shin five thumb-widths directly above the outer ankle tip, in front of the bony ridge on the outside of the leg.
- The point (B1) immediately above the inner corner of the eye , at the inner end of the eyebrow.
When get medical help
- Your eye problems is causing pain.
- There is a profuse, coloured discharge.
- Your vision is grtadually affected.
- Your symptoms fail to improve within two days.
- Your eye has been injured.
- Your vision is acutely affected.
See also: Allergic Rhinitis, Eyesight Problems, Hair and scalp Problems.
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