Our eyes and vision are so important but we often take this gift for granted and in these times of constant screen time this is something that needs to be recognised and cared for.
Recent figures show an increasing level of eye problems in all ages and with our reliance on screens you can understand why this may be the case. Excessive screen time can lead to various eye conditions, including digital eye strain, dry eyes and myopia (short sight).
As an example of how serious eye problems have become, up to 90% of teenagers and young adults in South Korea were found to have myopia, At 19-year-old men that number increased to 96.5%. And South Korea, where academic excellence is valued above all things, is not alone.
Some conditions are more prevalent as we age, things like macular degeneration, cataracts and dry eyes, and these do need support from an experienced homeopath, and sometimes they need surgery.
Let’s start by looking specifically at conditions which may result from increased screen time and then go on to general eye conditions.
Eye Conditions from Screen Time
- Digital Eye Strain (Computer Vision Syndrome): Prolonged screen use can cause eye fatigue, discomfort, blurry vision, and headaches.
- Dry Eyes: Reduced blinking while staring at screens can lead to dry eyes, causing irritation and discomfort. If untreated this can lead to more serious conditions.
- Myopia (Nearsightedness): Some studies suggest that excessive screen time, particularly in childhood, may increase the risk of developing myopia.
- Other Potential Issues: While not directly caused by screen time, some experts suggest that prolonged screen use may exacerbate existing eye conditions or contribute to the development of certain eye problems.
Factors Contributing to Eye Problems
- Reduced Blinking: People tend to blink less frequently when focusing on screens, leading to dry eyes.
- Close-Up Viewing: Screen use often involves focusing at a short distance, which can strain the eyes.
- Blue Light Exposure: The blue light emitted by screens can contribute to digital eye strain and potentially impact sleep patterns.
- Poor Posture and Lighting: Poor posture and inadequate lighting can also contribute to eye strain and other eye problems.
Tips for Reducing Eye Strain
Eyes Generally
Eye inflammation, also known as ocular inflammation, refers to the redness, swelling, and irritation of the eye’s structures, including the iris, conjunctiva or the inner lining of the eye. It can cause discomfort, blurred vision and sensitivity to light. It may also be accompanied by pain or changes in vision.
Conjunctivitis, which we are probably most familiar with if we’re a parent, may be associated with a cold, arrive as part of an infection, with allergy or similar.
Blepharitis is a common, chronic inflammation of the eyelids, often causing redness, swelling, itching, and crusting at the base of the eyelashes, but it’s generally not vision-threatening and isn’t contagious.
Chalazions, pterygium, keratoconus and cataracts, as well as blepharitis and even strabismus, are all conditions that may be helped by homeopathy, but for these sorts of conditions you should consult with an experienced homeopath as here we would treat the whole person and not just the eye, for best results.
Eye injury is a situation which needs to be monitored by your eye doctor, GP or specialist as the retina can detach without warning and trauma can result in vision loss. There are some good remedies for eye injury, so continue reading.
Eye surgery is also an area where homeopathics are often indicated and supportive, not just for recovery, but also for anxiety around surgery, and we talk about some of the surgery remedies in the list below.
Other acute eye conditions requiring prompt medical attention include sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, red eye, and injuries like corneal ulcers or retinal detachment.
While you can administer homeopathics from your first aid kit to help with the immediate symptoms, reach out to your homeopath once you have a diagnosis, for help with suitable remedies. The more serious conditions are not things to manage at home without professional support.
Eyes are sensitive and precious so it’s important that you treat all symptoms seriously. If you don’t start to see improvement quickly in an acute situation or if symptoms keep coming back, consult your healthcare provider to make sure there is nothing more serious going on.
Remedies for general eye symptoms
As with working out a remedy for any situation, you need to fit the homeopathic to the whole picture and the person, if possible, not just a disease or condition name. You will get best results this way. Many people can have conjunctivitis, for example, but five cases may require five different remedies to fit their unique picture and get the best outcome.
Many of these remedies look very similar so you will need to go to the bigger picture of the remedy to differentiate which remedy is going to fit the overall picture best. Often there is a mental/emotional picture, even with eye symptoms.
Please note if you are ordering drops, these go in the mouth and not in the eyes. Internal/oral remedies are always going to give better results by tuning up the whole system, than using a topical application. Therefore we don’t sell eye drops, which are also required to be sterile for safety and hygiene reasons.
Aconite is one of the first remedies to think of if the eyes have a gritty sensation, like there’s sand in them. The eyes feel dry and hot and will likely look red. It is for acute inflammation after injury, after removal of foreign object or exposure to excessively bright light, such as sunlight reflecting off snow or water. The person needing Aconite will often be restless, and quite fearful, likely about the condition of the eyes.
If there is a suspicion there may be a scratch or injury to the eye from a foreign body, or damage to the eye from light, get it checked out by a medical professional.
Allium Cepa is indicated when the eyes are swollen and red with acrid, burning discharge and accompanied by sneezing. This might be as a result of an allergy, with a cold or other acute, or an injury. The eyes and the patient often feel worse from wind, light, and being indoors; and better from being in the open air.
Apis may be indicated for eye inflammation with stinging or burning pain. The eyes may be red, swollen and puffy and there may be a sensitivity to light. Apis may be useful in conjunctivitis as part of an allergic reaction, as these types of reactions often involve swelling of the lids and tissues. Cold applications may help the discomfort.
Argentum Nitricum is another remedy that is especially useful in conjunctivitis of babies and new-borns. The discharge is often purulent (like pus) and can be smelly. It can ‘glue’ the eyelids together. The eyes, eyelids and corners of the eyes are often red and may be swollen. There is a sensitivity to light. Cold applications often bring some relief as does light pressure.
Arsenicum Album is useful for burning pains with hot burning tears, to the point that the skin on the lids and face become sore, dry and scaly. There may be light sensitivity and sometimes the sensation of grit under the eyelids. These patients are quite anxious and restless and worry about their health.
Belladonna is indicated for acute eye inflammation with intense redness, throbbing pain and sensitivity to light. The eyes may feel dry, hot, and very painful and there may be a tendency for sudden onset of symptoms. Pupils may be dilated and eyes staring.
Calc Carb is another remedy that is often useful for conjunctivitis with a cold. There is often a purulent discharge that glues the eyelids together. Light sensitivity is common, as are watery eyes.
Euphrasia is an excellent all-around eye remedy. It is suggested for eye inflammation with profuse tearing (as in production of tears!), burning and discharge that is watery and acrid in nature. The eyes may be red, swollen and sensitive to light. Lids may be red, with a feeling of grit or sand in the eyes and there may be thick yellow pus in the corner of the eyes, with a strong desire to blink to clear the mucous. Other features are that the person may feel worse in the evening and in warm rooms.
Hepar Sulph can be useful for eye inflammation with a tendency to the formation of pus. The eyes may be swollen, sensitive to touch and cold, and there may be a gritty or stinging sensation.
Merc Sol is indicated for conjunctivitis with cold symptoms. There may be severe burning pain, burning tears and yellow or green pus in the eyes. Eyelids are swollen, red, irritated and scurfy.
Natrum Mur is useful for any condition with inflammation and photophobia. There may itching, burning and profuse watering – the patient may look as if they are crying. There is a constant desire to rub the eyes, with a gritty feeling (described as the eyes being full of salt!) and the lids may be red and sore.
Pulsatilla is frequently indicated for conjunctivitis in children. ‘Pink eye’ as it is sometimes referred to, may present with profuse yellowish-green, bland discharge especially on waking. The eyelashes are often stuck together and the discharge has become crunchy overnight. There may be itching and burning with a sensation of sand in the eye. Also indicated for styes if it matches the picture. Cold applications, even cool air from an open window, will usually soothe the eyes
Ruta is helpful for eye inflammation associated with eyestrain or overuse. The eyes may feel sore, tired and achy and there may be a sensation of bruising around the eyes. Also useful post surgery or injury where these symptoms are present, after Arnica.
Silica is indicated for blocked tear ducts or recurrent styes, as well as dry eyes which may be a result of blocked ducts. There may be a gritty sensation in the eye.
Sulphur is useful for eyes that are red, inflamed, hot, dry and burning. The symptoms may be aggravated by heat and be worse during the night, with the eyelids looking red and swollen in the morning.
Symphytum Is helpful for any injuries where there is pain felt in the eyeball itself, and would be indicated for surgery with the same feeling.
Zinc Met where homeopathic Zinc is indicated, the inner corners of the eyes are where the symptoms are the worst. The eyes feel gritty and sore, as if there is sand in them, again especially in the inner corners. The symptoms are usually worse in the evening and at night, and worse for drinking wine. One might think of this remedy if a person has an allergy to wine with these eye symptoms.
TS Dry Eyes includes homeopathic tissue salts, so low potency remedies which work at the level of the cells and tissue. All are essential components necessary for good health. This combination may be useful as a support for sore, dry eyes from a variety of causes such as too much screen time, allergies, ageing, air conditioning, etc.
Please note if you are ordering drops, these go in the mouth and not in the eyes. Internal/oral remedies are always going to give better results by tuning up the whole system, than using a topical application. Therefore we don’t sell eye drops, which are also required to be sterile for safety and hygiene reasons.
Eye surgery
Arnica is always the first remedy to consider for any surgery for relief of pain, bruising and swelling. Our Surgery Support combination contains Arnica and a few other goodies to help with healing, anaesthetics and recovery generally.
Also consider the following:
Aconite is considered the Arnica of the eye, for symptoms of shock, for anything with a sudden onset and great pain, and for healing.
Bryonia is useful where pain is worse from any movement, even just moving the eyes, and may be accompanied by vomiting.
Rhus Tox is for pains shooting into the head or pains on turning and pressing the eyes. There may be profuse gushing hot tears on opening the eyes.
Ledum helps disperse bruising, particularly where the bruising has turned yellow and not fully resolved after Arnica. Eyes may be bloodshot or bruised with haemorrhage into the anterior chamber after surgery such as an iridectomy. There may be ptosis of the eye from injury and contused wounds. Always better for cold or iced applications and worse for motion.
TS Dry Eyes includes homeopathic tissue salts, so low potency remedies which work at the level of the cells and tissue. All are essential components necessary for good health. This combination may be useful as a support for sore, dry eyes from a variety of causes such as too much screen time, allergies, ageing, air conditioning, etc.
Please note if you are ordering drops, these go in the mouth and not in the eyes. Internal/oral remedies are always going to give better results by tuning up the whole system, than using a topical application. Therefore we don’t sell eye drops, which are also required to be sterile for safety and hygiene reasons.
What else can I do
Here’s a list of useful tips on managing and supporting any eye issues naturally, brought to us by The School of Homeopathy in the UK.
1. Warm compresses: Applying warm compresses to the eyes can help reduce inflammation and promote soothing relief. Use a clean, warm washcloth and gently place it over the closed eyes for a few minutes at a time.
2. Eye hygiene: Maintain good eye hygiene by keeping the eyes clean and avoiding rubbing or touching them excessively. Wash hands thoroughly before touching the eyes.
3. Lubricating eye drops: Use preservative-free lubricating eye drops to soothe dryness and provide relief from discomfort. These drops help keep the eyes moisturized and reduce inflammation.
4. Avoid irritants: Minimize exposure to irritants such as smoke, dust and allergens that can worsen eye inflammation. Use protective eyewear when necessary, especially in dusty or windy environments.
5. Adequate rest: Ensure you get sufficient rest and sleep to allow your eyes to recover. Avoid prolonged periods of screen time or activities that strain the eyes.
6. Healthy diet: Consume a nutritious diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support eye health. Include foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, carrots and fish in your diet.
7. Consult an eye specialist: If your eye inflammation persists, worsens or is accompanied by severe pain, vision changes or discharge. It is important to seek medical attention from an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It’s important to consult with a qualified homeopathic practitioner for a proper evaluation and individualised treatment plan. Homeopathic remedies should be used under professional guidance, especially for chronic or recurrent conditions.
Resources
https://www.homeopathyschool.com
Nature’s Materia Medica; Murphy, Robin ND; Lotus Health Institute 2006
About Melanie Creedy
Melanie Creedy is a Licentiate of the British School of Homeopathy in the UK and holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Homeopathy. She is registered with the Australian Register of Homoeopaths (AROH) and is a member of the Australian Homoeopathic Association. She was Vice President and Professional Development Coordinator of the Australian Homoeopathic Association from 2011 to 2015 and editor of the AHA National Newsletter from 2012 to 2020.
Melanie has used homeopathy since the mid-1980s and has been in practice since 1998. For many years she ran The Children’s Ear Clinic in Western Australia, but since her tree change to Tasmania, has a special interest in helping individuals manage their life and health through looking at a diagnosis or condition in relation to the symbolism of this unique picture. Armed with a range of remedies from the most common to the most unusual and esoteric, Melanie guides people to plumb the depths of their life and spiritual path with homeopathy to help them find insights, to understand and to heal.
Melanie has developed her own methods of dealing with complex cases over the years and offers distance consultations via phone, zoom and skype to allow people Australia-wide to access her services.
For many years Melanie taught people how to use homeopathy in their homes, with their children and with their pets. She has run classes on how to use homeopathy with native animals and taught courses on homeopathy for birthing to doulas. Since moving to Tasmania she has found writing a better forum to reach more people. You will find many posts reaching back over her 25 years in practice here, revised and updated over time.
Homeopathy is a traditional medicine. It may be used in conjunction with other medicines. For any ongoing chronic condition, it is important to be assessed or examined by your healthcare professional or specialist. Always seek medical advice in emergencies. The information on our website and in this article does not constitute medical advice. It is referenced from traditional homeopathic texts and is for information only. If in doubt as to the appropriateness of a treatment seek advice from your GP or your registered homeopath.