Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection. Symptom shows the membrane lining of the inner part of the eyelid becomes inflamed. The eyes may appear swollen and bloodshot, and are often irritated and itchy. If there is pus, eyelids often stick together after being closed for a period of time. There may not be pain, but there may be a sensation of sand in the eye.

Causes: The conjunctiva is the delicate membrane which connects the eyeball and the inner eyelid. It is usually transparent; but, when irritated or inflamed, it turns a blood-red color. There may be a discharge from the eye. The origin may be viral if the discharge is thin and watery. If it is white and stringy, the cause may be allergenic. If there is pus, it may be bacterial in origin.

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious when it is caused by a virus. The cause is generally viral or bacterial infection. But physical or chemical injury may be involved (such as injury to the eye, bacterial infection, allergens, dust, animal danders, pollen, medications, contact lens solutions, fumes, smoke, chemicals, cosmetics, tobacco smoke, air pollution, or other foreign substances in the eye). Be careful about swimming pool water. It can cause eye and ear infections. Straining one's eyes may also produce irritation or congestion of conjunctiva. It typically occurs during a case of measles.

In chronic or persistent cases, conjunctivitis may be related to a lack of vitamin A or to toxicity due to liver or kidney dysfunctions.

When cause by allergens, the infection may reoccur at a certain time each year. In young children, "viral conjunctivitis" can occur from spring till fall and clear up in the winter.

Viral conjunctivitis is often found among groups of schoolchildren. Conjunctivitis is the most common form or eye infection in Western civilization.

Infants born at a hospital, and especially those who remain there for lenghty periods after birth, may be exposed to germs in the nursery. Those born at home are less likely to contract newborn conjunctivitis.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis typically begins 5-12 days after birth. Gonorrheal conjunctivitis usually appears 2-4 days following birth. Both infections are transmitted from the mother during passage through the birth canal.

Natural remedies for conjunctivitis:

• Take beta carotene (10,000 IU, 3 times a day for 1 week; then 25,000 IU daily). This will provide needed vitamin A.
• Take 1 comprehensive B complex tablet daily. Also vitamin C with bioflavonoids (1,000 - 5,000 mg in divided daily doses). Zinc (25 mg daily).
• Apply warm poultices of 3% boric acid on the closed eye. A boric acid ophthalmic ointment may be obtained without prescription from the pharmacy.
• Apply charcoal poultices overnight. Mix enough water in to make a thick paste. And spread it over a piece of cloth larger than the inflamed area. Hold it in place with an ace bandage and leave on overnight. Use only enough pressure to hold it in place but not so tight that pressure is placed on the lid or eyeball. To avoid spreading the infection, carefully dispose of the cloth in the morning. Do not save and use it again.
• During the day, slurry charcoal water can be applied: Add ¼ teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of powdered charcoal to a cup of water, boil, let cool, and strain through several layers of cloth. With a dropper, put 4-5 drops of the clear fluid in the affected eye, by pulling back the lower eyelid and applying, every 2 hours. Wash hands carefully after each treatment.
• Do not place a patch on the eye. It can cause bacterial infection and weaken the eyelid, so it will later droop.
• Ice-cold compresses can be laid on the eye during the acute stage. The eye should always be closed when doing this. For half an hour, apply a wrung-out washcloth to the eye; change it every 2-3 minutes; stop for 30-60 minutes; and , then, repeat for another 30 minutes.
• Very warm and cold applications can be applied every 4 hours. But the water should never be too hot. Apply a cloth wrung out of very warm water for 2 minutes, then a cold cloth for 30 seconds. Do this for 15 minutes.
• Saline irrigations are also good. Add 2 level teaspoons of salt to 1 quart water, to rinse discharges out of the eyes.
• Bacteria causing this infection may be carried on towels, clothing, paper, toys, or hands. Launder bed and bathroom linens separately from those of other family members. All in the home should frequently wash hands. Keep fingers away from the face.
• Put a chamomile tea bag in warm (not hot) water for 2-3 minutes, squeeze out the excess liquid, place it over the infected eye for 2-3 minutes. Do this 3-4 times a day.
• Other good herbs for compresses and washes include bilberry, aloe vera juice, chickweed, eyebright, fennel, catnip red raspberry leaf, or slippery elm.
• Gauze pads saturated with witch hazel and placed over the closed eyes for 15 minutes may help relieve irritation.
• Children prone to conjunctivitis should be protected from chilling; because, when chilled, the person cannot resist bacteria as well.
• If you wear contacts, put them away for the several days that these treatments continue. Disinfect or if necessary, replace contacts.
• Stop using eye cosmetics. They occasionally introduce infection into the eyes. Wash hands before using them.
• Do not share towels, washcloths, or cosmetics.

Allergenic Conjunctivitis

• Take 1,000 - 3,000 mg vitamin C daily in divided doses.
• Take quercetin (1,000 mg daily and increase to 5,000 mg daily till symptoms are gone). It is one of the bioflavonoids.
• Cold compresses are also good for this infection when caused by an allergy. Soak a washcloth in a dish with ice cubes and water. Squeeze out excess water, fold it, and place over both eyes. Keep it there till it warms. Repeat until the itching subsides.

Gonorrheal Conjunctivitis in Newborns

• Gonococcal germs are quite sensitive to even slight heating or chilling. Therefore, flush the eyes with a slight saline (salt) solution (heated to 108° F) for 1 full minute. Immediately afterward, apply an ice water compress, changed every 15 seconds. Continue for 5 minutes. Watch the infant for the next 5 days for signs of reoccurence. Get a culture of secretions right away if gonorrhea is suspected.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blindness. Symptoms is flashing lights in the corner of the eye. Large numbers of dark spots in the field of vision. If large area of the retina has become detached, you may see cloudy ring or a black area across your field of vision.


Causes: Separation of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye from the supporting tissues underneath occurs. In this disorder, part of the retina peels away from the underlying tissue. Without rapid treatment, partial blindness can result. See an ophthalmologist. This condition is more common over the age of 50. this sometimes runs in families. Participating in sports can cause a blow to the eye. Severe nearsightedness can also cause this condition.

A small tear occurs, permitting fuild to leak through and increase the separation.

Natural remedies for retinal detachment:

• Contact an optometrist. He is able to test for retinal detachment.
• In some instances, there is only slight flashes of light in the corners of your eye; yet the doctor may not see retinal detachment. In such instances, eat an extremely nourishing diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, plus a full multivitamin supplement; and the flashes of light may subside. But when in doubt, consult an optometrist for another checkup.

Scotoma

Scotoma is an area or impairment of visual acuity surrounded by a field of normal or relatively well-preserved vision. The person seems to see one or more "spots" in front of the eyes. The presence of the scotoma can be demonstrated subjectively by covering one eye, carefully holding fixation with the open eye, and placing an object (such as your thumb) in the lateral and horizontal visual field, about 15 degrees from fixation (see the blind spot article).

Causes: An unnatural blind spot (scotoma). existing on the retina is not transmitting any light through the optic nerve to the brain. When there is more than one blind spot, they are called scotomas.

Natural remedies for scotoma:

• Increase the amount of vitamin A in the diet. Decidedly improve the diet Throw out all junk and processed food. Obtain adequate rest at night.
  

Floaters

Floaters are deposits of various size, shape, consistency, refractive index, and motility within the eye's vitreous humour, which is normally transparent. Symptoms shows small speck, know as floaters, that appear to float in the field of vision. They are especially seen in a well-lit room or outdoors on a bright day.

Causes: These are fragments of tissue in the jelly like vitreous humor that fills the "ball" of the eye. They cast shadows on the retina. Any eye movement causes them to move rapidly. But, when the eyes are still, they drift slowly.

If they appear suddenly, or in large numbers, consult your eye doctor. This may indicate separation of the retina from its underlying tissue (retinal detachment) or a leakage of blood into the vitreous humor (vitreous hemorrhage). I you also see light flashes in the corners of your eyes, be sure and see an eye doctor.

Occasionally, floaters clump into long, stringy strands. If this occurs, the cause may be fibrillar degeneration of the vitrous, which results from excessive exposure to sunlight.

Natural remedies for floaters:

• Take bioflavonoids (500 mg, daily) and vitamin K (100 mcg, 2 times daily). Vitamin A (500 IU) and E (400 IU) will help remove lens particles. Also pantothenic acid (500 mg), B₆ (250 mg), and vitamin C (2,000 mg).
• Drink carrot juice and eat green and yellow vegetables.
• Drink dandelion root tea and use as an eyewash.
  

Cataracts

Cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. The lens of the eye become clouded, so that the eye is unable to properly focus on objects. In advanced cases, the lens is becoming opaque, so that blindness is setting in. Only part of the eye is generally cloudy or opaque; but this can gradually extend to the entire eye.

Causes: Cataracts occur as a result of structural changes to protein fibers within the lens. These changes cause part or all of the lens to become cloudy. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes; but generally one eye is more severely affected. If it is in the central part of the lens or in the whole lens, total loss of clarity and detail in vision can result. But it will still be able to detect light and shade.

Congential cataracts occur if the mother had rubella during the first three months of pregnancy or if the infant has galactosemia. This is an inherited inability to properly digest galactose. These cataracts generally do not get worse. Not using milk products at all can help prevent this in adults. Smokers, those who take steroids, and those who have heavy metal poisoning can get cataracts.

Traumatic cataracts result from blows which rupture the anterior lens capsule, harmful chemicals, intense infrared radiation, or X-rays. Radiation causes free-radical damage in the eyes. This causes the lens to absorb aqueous humor. The lens becomes cloudy and must be removed in order to restore eyesight. People living closer to the South Pole are more likely to develop cataracts.

Other causes include hypoparathyroidism, Down's Syndrome, and atopic dermatitis. High blood sugar levels and low calcium levels can also bring it on. Higher blood sugar levels in diabetics and hypoglycemics causes the cells in the lense to absorb large amounts of glucose. This is converted into sorbitol, an insoluble form of sugar. This gradually crystallizes in the ey, forming a cataract. The longer one has diabetes, the greater the risk of cataracts.

Hair dye has been shown to cause cataracts. Only 23% of those not dying their hair got cataracts. Whereas 89% of those who dye their hair develop them.

Complication of tumors, detached retina, iritis, glaucoma, and severe myopia can also bring it on. Other studies reveal that people with stress, allergies, or who eat seafood are more likely to develop cataracts.

It is now known that lack of vitamin C or B₂ in the diet over an extended period of time can help produce cataracts.

Cataracts are the most common form of blindness in older people, and should not be ignored when they are beginning to develop.

Natural remedies for cataracts:

• Obtain adequate rest at night. Do not sit up watching television till late at night. You are tiring your eyes and irradiating them with X-rays at the same time.
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and the nutrients listed below. Eat whole grains, nuts, and legumes. It is important that you eat a good nutritious diet. Get enough vitamins E, C, B complex (B₁ and B₂ is very important), selenium, zinc, bioflavonoids, 1-glutamine, 1-arginine, 1-cysteine, and glutathione. If diabetes is involved, add chromium supplementation. Avoid excess cholesterol, sorbitol, unsaturated fatty acids, and mercury tooth fillings. Take a good high-potency multivitamin. It should include at least 50 mg of most of the B vitamins, 15 mg of beta-carotene, 30 mg of zinc, and 200 mcg of selenium. Vitamin C (1,500 mg daily) is extremely important. B₂ (200 mg) protects the crystalline lens of the eye. Also helpful: copper (3 mg) with manganese (5 mg) and flaxseed oil (1-2 Tbsp. daily).
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is important for good vision. Take ½ tsp. of the powder, per 100 lbs. body weight once a day.
• The flavonoid, quercetin, is known to block sorbitol accumulation in the eye. Lipoic acid (15 mg daily) is also recommended by some.
• Do not drink milk or eat cheese, ice cream, seafood, or grease.
• Place a drop of honey in the corner of the eye at night. This will help absorb the crystals.
• Antioxidants prevent cataracts from forming. That which cloudsl the eye is damage for oxidation, caused by free radicals. Antioxidants newtralize free radicals.
• Sources of antioxidants: The best antioxidants are vitamin A, which you want to get from food in the form of carotenoids, like beta-carotene. Green and yellow fruits and vegetables are full of it. Other antioxidants include vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and selenium. Taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily definitely slows cataract formation. Magnesium and manganese are also important in helping antioxidants. One Harvard study found that getting 50 mg of carotenoids every other day will significantly reduce your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts. Carrot juice is an excellent way to obtain carotenoids and antioxidants.
• The mint herbs are good antioxidant sources: Catnip, peppermint, and rosemary. Other sources include ginger and turmeric.
• Subtances such as nicotine, heavy metal poisoning, insecticides, etc., make free radicals and destroy antioxidants in the body. Saturated fats and fried foods also have lots of free radicals. Steroid drugs can induce-cataracts at any age. Avoid aspirin, commercial antihistamines, cortisone.
• Certain foods contain anthocyanosides, which improve visual aculty: blueberries, huckleberries, cranberries, raspberries, grapes, plums, wild cherries, and bilberries.
• Papain in papaya helps digest protein. If not digested properly, protein can concentrate in the lens.
• Exercise early in the morning and avoid long exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can cause and worsen cataract problems. Sunglasses should be designated Z80.3. Prescription lenses should have a UV-protective film. Tanning booths intensify the risk.
• Relaxing at times during the day is good for your eyes. Alternative hot and cold showers stimulates circulation and proper hormonal balance.
  

Dimness Of Vision

Dimness of vision symptoms is when the things are becoming more difficult to see. Less light seems to be entering the eyes.

Causes: Among the most common causes are cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Less frequent causes include macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Still another cause is retinal detachment. A blood vessel which feeds the retina may be blocked by a blood clot. If this vessel is an artery, loss of vision is sudden. Usually only one eye is affected. An inflamed optic nerve is another possible cause, resulting from infection. This can cause loss of vision within a few days.

Toxic amblyopia is another cause which produces a small hole, in vision, which gradually enlarges.

Natural remedies for dimness of vision:

• Eat a good, nourishin diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Take a full multivitamin supplement.
• Avoid smoky air from tobacco, smoke stacks, or living alongside a highway.
  

Strabismus (Squint, Crossed Eyes)

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It typically involves a lack of coordination between the extraocular muscles that prevents bringing the gaze of each eye to the same point in space and preventing proper binocular vision, which may adversely affect depth perception. Strabismus can be either a disorder of the brain coordinating the eyes or a disorder of one or more muscles, as in any process that causes a dysfunction of the usual direction and power of the muscle or muscles. If mild, symptoms occur only when a child is tired. If severe, symptoms are present all the time and may include misalignment of the gaze of one of the eyes. Poor vision on one of the eyes is due to lack of use.

Causes: Only one eye points directly at the object being viewed. This abnormal alignment of the eyes causes the brain to receive conflicting images, which may result in double vision or, in children under the age of 8, suppression of the image from the misaligned eye.

The cause can be inherited, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. But the cause can be structural differences between the muscles controlling eye movements or paralysis of the eye muscles, due to a brain tumor. This is rarely caused by cancer of the eye.

A vision test can be performed and, if the problem suddenly developed, a CT scan may be done to look for a tumor.

Natural remedies for strabismus:

• Corrective glasses can be given to the child to wear. Or he/she may wewar an eye patch for a period of time each day, to force the weak eye to be used properly. These treatments are usually successful, although the problem can recur.