Common Conditions of the Eye

By Clare | May 30, 2023 |

Common Conditions of the Eye

There are a few Common Conditions of the eyes that are very common in childhood, below are descriptions of some with remedy suggestions at the end to help you treat these conditions at home.

Styes

A stye is a small abscess in a gland on the eyelid, it usually contains pus but sometimes it is more like a blind boil. It can be very painful or not at all. There is an old wife’s tale about rubbing a gold ring on a stye and it really does work if used early enough. A similar condition to a stye is a Chalazion, a swollen oil gland at the edge of the eyelid. The swelling is read and irritated for a while but does settle down to be a lump.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Also called ‘Pink Eye’ – Inflammation of the conjunctiva can be the result of an infection, injury or allergic reaction. This is very common in very young babies at the time of birth. The eye is irritated, and the white appears bloodshot. If there is a bacterial element then there is white, creamy or yellow pus/discharge. There is often intense itching. The eyelids maybe stuck together upon waking.

Blocked Tear Ducts

The cause of a blocked tear duct can be an infection, injury or in babes an underdeveloped tear duct. In babies you should seek medical attention as surgical assistance maybe required. A straightforward infection should respond well to indicated remedies within 48 hours. Symptoms include swelling, redness at the inner corner of the eye, oozing pus (usually yellow). Gentle massage of the tissue around the affected area can help to encourage the expulsion of pus. There may be a slight fever and a general sense of lethargy. Eyelids will be stuck together in the morning.

Blepharitis

Inflammation of the Eyelid can be one or both eyes. The eyelid is sore red, itchy and /or burning. The eight may be watery and you may want to rub the eye. Sometimes there is crustiness and flaking of the skin. In the morning there is usually yellow matter in the inner corer and the eye might be stick together.

Remedies for Acute Eye Conditions

Aconite – sudden onset, red, inflamed, sore and hot. Photophobia. Conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Use 200c especially if after exposure to a cold wind.

Apis – blepharitis, stye, conjunctivitis. Always puffy around the eye, swollen, red, watery conjunctiva with stinging and burning pains that are maddening, can feel as if there is and under the lid. Whites are inflamed and reddened with blood vessels. Use 30c or 200c when symptoms are severe.

Arg-nit – blepharitis, blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis. Swelling of the conjunctiva with redness in the inner corner and copious amount of pus which is worse on waking. Thick crusts on the margins of the eyelids, hard to open eyes on waking. Eyes feel strained. Wants to keep the eyes cool. Use 30c.

Arsen-alb – conjunctivitis. Burning pains with hot tears, light sensitivity and scaly skin on the lids. Better if warm flannel is applied. Sand under the lid sensation. Eyes appear sunken and with a dark ring around. Use 30c.

Belladonna – conjunctivitis. Red, hot and swollen sometimes with pulsation felt in the eyes. Eyes appear staring and glassy, and the pupils are dilated. May have photo-phobia. Use 30c or 200c.

Calc-C – conjunctivitis. Yellow matter from eyes in the morning with watery eyes later especially in the open air. Babies affected may appear to have a slight squint. May have photo-phobia and pupils maybe dilated. Use 30c.

Euphrasia – conjunctivitis. Profuse, hot, burning tears with redness of the lids and sensation of sand under them. Thick yellow pus from inner corners and has to blink to clear mucous from the surface of the eye. Use 30c.

Graphites – blepharitis. Red. Swollen lids with sore even cracked edges to the lids and flaky skin. Honey-coloured deposits which dry and are painful to clear away. Recurrent stye especially of the lower lid. Use 30c.

Hepar-Sulph – conjunctivitis. With extreme sensitivity to touch and cold. Yellow matter in the eyes which have red, inflamed lids. Feels worse for cool air. Use 30c.

Lycopodium – stye near inner corner of eye (worse on right side). Redness and soreness of area. Often accompanied by flatulence and bloating. Use 30c.

Nat-mur – blocked tear ducts, blepharitis. Inflammation with itching, burning and profuse watering. Lids are red and sore and feel as if sans in underneath. Wants to rub eyes all the time which aggravates. Symptoms are usually worse during a cold. Can have photo-phobia. Use 30c.

Pulsatilla – conjunctivitis, blepharitis, styes. Yellow matter from the eyes especially on waking with watering the rest of the day, itching and burning of the lids and feeling of sand beneath. Stye (recurrent) on the upper lids, often with no head. Use 30c.

Rhus-tox – conjunctivitis, blepharitis, stye. Inflammation, swelling, photo-phobia and lots of yellow pus. Profuse watering which is worse in cool air. General restlessness and great anxiety about the condition. Use 30c.

Sepia – blepharitis, styes. Usually accompanied by exhaustion and being fed up and down. Use 30c.

Silica – blocked tear duct, styes, blepharitis. Slow developing swelling of the inner corner of the eye with blocked tear duct or recurrent stye on the upper lid toward the inner corner. Gritty feeling in eyes. Sharp pain sometimes strikes through the eye but mostly painless. Use 30c.

Staphysagria – blepharitis, conjunctivitis, styes (recurrent), chalazion. Eyes can feel hot, less mucous or pus than with other remedies. Use 30c.

Sulphur – most conditions of the eye come under this remedy. Eyes are inflamed, red, hot, sore, gritty. Eyes look tired and droopy. Recurrent styes especially of the upper lid. Use 30c.

In addition to the remedies mentioned above you might think of keeping some Euphrasia mother tincture. This herbal preparation is universally accepted as one of the best medicines for the relief of eye conditions. Use one drop in a quarter cup of tepid water and either swab the eye or use in an eye bath. If you are unable to source a herbal tincture of Euphrasia, have Homeopathic eye drops to hand, these can be used on damp cotton pad to bathe the eye. Alternatively try a cold moist teabag placed over the eye, this also brings great relief.

In babies that are still being breastfed, bathe the affected eyes in breast milk.

Homeopathy is very successful at treating eye conditions, however, if the condition shows no sign of improving and lasts for more than 2 days, you should consider the advice of a medical practitioner.

For more information or to Book your FREE 15 minute chat Click Here