Category: Eyes Disorders

Conjunctivitis refers to an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent membrane covering the eye ball. It is also known as sore eyes. It spreads from person to person through direct contact. Overcrowding, dirty surroundings and unhealthy living conditions can cause epidemic of this ailment.

Conjunctivitis is a very common form of eye problem. It can occur at any time of life when infection causes this tissue to become red and sore due to inflammation. Even babies of a few days old can suffer from this condition.

Conjunctivitis are of two types Allergic and Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The symptoms of allergic and bacterial conjunctivitis are as follows :

The eye ball and underside of the eyelids become inflamed. At first, the eyes are red, dry and burning. Later, there may be watery secretion. In more serious cases, there is pus formation. When the person is sleeping this material dries up, sticking the lashes together.

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis results from bacterial, or viral infection, or eye strain. Excessive reading under artificial light and excessive use of the eyes in one way or the other contributes towards the disease. Its real cause can, however, be traced to a cattarhal condition of the system resulting from general toxaemia due to dietetic errors and unhygienic condition of living. The child generally suffers from colds or other ailments indicative of a general catarrhal condition. Untreated conjunctivitis can cause inversion of the eyelid, corneal ulceration leading to perforation, and inflammation of all parts of the eyeball-the cornea is the transparent layer covering the front of the eye.

Home Remedies For the Treatment of Conjunctivitis

Use herbal remedies at the first signs of discomfort, i.e., pain, redness or watering .

1. Boil a teaspoon of turmeric in two cups of water. Reduce it to one cup. Cool. Strain 4-5 times through a fine muslin. This extract can be used as an eye drop­ a drop in the infected eye 3-4 times a day .
2. Boil a teaspoon of coriander seeds with a cupful of water for a while, like a herbal tea preparation. Use this to wash the eyes 3-4 times a day .
3. Strain fresh coriander-leaf juice 3-4 times through thin muslin. A drop of the strained juice should be put in each eye.
4. Boil a handful of acacia leaves in two cups of water. Make a decoction and use as a compress on the eyelids. It reduces swelling and pain.
5. Take a cup of water. Dissolve 2-3 granules of alum in it. Use as an eyewash.
6. Guava leaves, warmed and placed on a warm damp cloth, and then used as a compress, reduce the redness, pain and swelling.
7. Filter the fresh juice of a pomegranate. Put a drop in each inflamed eye for 1-3 days. It reduces the redness and burning sensation. If juice is not available, then a decoction can be made from the pounded dry peel of the fruit.
8. Boil, filter and wash eyes with a glass of water to which a teaspoon of turmeric has been added, 3-4 times a day. This has an antiseptic action.
9. Slit an aloe leaf lengthwise (the leaves are thick). Place the pulpy side on the sore eye. It reduces itchiness in inflamed and sore eyes.
10. A grated raw potato, used as a poultice, reduces swelling in inflamed eyes.
11. Watering of the eyes: To a glassful of water, add a teaspoon of turmeric powder(made at home). Boil it for 10 mintues. Strain. Wash eyes with it.
12. Infusions made of coriander seeds or fennel seeds can be used as cold eyes wash too.

Useful References

• https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/symptoms.html
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/1758756
• https://nei.nih.gov/health/pinkeye/pink_facts
• https://www.howtogetrid.org/health/how-to-get-rid-of-conjunctivitis/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049531/

The term stye refers to small painful boil, an inflamed hair follicle or an infection of a sebaceous gland in the edge of the eyelid. The infecting organism is usually a staphylococcus. This disease occurs due to debilitated condition of the system. Some children seem more prone to these infections than others. Stye has all the the signs of inflammation, swelling, redness, pain and heat or warmth and occurs on the edge of the eyelid.

Causes of stye

Stye results from an infection of the hair follicles of the eyelid which leads to blockage of the hair follicles. It may also results from blocking of the gland by dirt or due to error of refraction. Recurrent styes occurs because the infection is spread from one hair shaft to another often by the child rubbing it to relieve itching.

The real cause of styes is the toxic condition of the child’s system brought about by wrong eating habits, especially consumption of foods such as white bread, refined cereals, boiled potatoes, pudding, pies and confectionery. The disease makes its appearance when the child is in a run down condition and below par. Eye strain is also a subsidiary factor in the onset of styes.

Stye Symptoms

A stye gives rise to a throbbing pain which can be out of all proportions to its size. It can be felt for a day or two even before the stye is visible. It is accompanied by redness, swelling and oedema of the lid and conjunctiva. Sometimes, the infection disappears quickly without becoming a red swelling. But other styes worsen rapidly until the eyelid is very swollen. In the final stage, the stye will burst and discharge pus, causing the eyelids to stick together during a night’s sleep in severe cases.

Home Remedies To Treat A Eye Stye

Use herbal home remedies at the first signs of discomfort, i.e., pain, redness or watering.

1. Turmeric

Boil a teaspoon of turmeric in two cups of water. Reduce it to one cup. Cool. Strain 4-5 times through a fine muslin. This extract can be used as an eye drop – a drop in the infected eye 3-4 times a day.

2. Coriander Seeds

Boil a teaspoon of coriander seeds with a cupful of water for a while, like a herbal tea preparation. Use this to wash the eyes 3-4 times a day.

3. Guava Leaves

Guava leaves, warmed and placed on a warm damp cloth, and then used as a compress, reduce the redness, pain and swelling.

4. Water

Take a cup of water. Dissolve 2-3 granules of alum in it. Use as an eyewash.

5. Acacia Leaves

Boil a handful of acacia leaves in two cups of water. Make a decoction and use as a compress on the eyelids. It reduces swelling and pain.

6. Clove

The use of clove is a very valuable remedy for stye. This spice should be rubbed in water and applied over the stye. This will give relief from the stye.

7. Potato

A grated potato used as a poultice, reduce swelling in inflamed eyes.

8. Aloe

Slit an aloe leaf lengthwise (the leaves are thick). Place the pulpy side on the sore eye. It reduces itchiness in inflamed and sore eyes.

9. Apple

Another poultice is made by baking or grilling an apple. Mash it, wrap it in a damp cloth and while it is still very warm, but not enough to cause burns, use it as a poultice. Helps to get rid of a stye.

All above the best natural home remedy to treat a stye and also beneficial for reducing the pain and swelling in a stye.

Useful References

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stye/
• https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/get-rid-of-stye#1
• https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/styes-contagious
• http://ijpsr.com/bft-article/polyphenolic-composition-and-antimicrobial-potential-of-methanolic-coriander-coriandrum-sativum-seed-extract/?view=fulltext

We are able to see when light rays from an object enters the cornea, which is the transparent layer covering the front of the eye. The rays then pass through the lens, which lies behind the cornea, then through a fluid medium, and finally strike the nerve layer of the eyeball, called the retina. This is the innermost layer of the eyeball. This layer has specialised cells, which are sensitive to dim and bright light, and also to colour.

The image of the object falls on the retina and is interpreted by the brain for us to visualise what it is. The whole mechanism involves the basic principles of physics, related to light, which travels in a straight line. When it travels from one medium to another it deviates from its straight path. This convergence or divergence affects the distance at which the object’s image is formed. The curvature of the eyeball, in different planes, the muscles which move the eyeballs in different directions, the transparency of the lens, the state of the small muscles which contract or dilate the pupil of the eye, the fluid in the different chambers of the eye, and lastly, the state of the retinal cells, all playa part in the functioning of the eye and our vision.

Causes and symptoms of Refractive Error

When refractive error is caused by the curvature of the eyeball, or the state of the lens, it is corrected by wearing prescribed spectacles and doing eye exercises. Here some symptoms of Refractive error.

• Blurred vision.
• Difficulty reading or seeing up close.
• Crossing of the eyes in children.

Home Remedies For The Treatment of Refractive Error

A remedy popular with many medical students of my generation:

1. Almonds

Soak an almond in a cup of water at night. In the morning, peel and eat it with a cup of milk. It is rich in vitamin-A. On the second night, soak two almonds, and eat them the next morning. Add an almond every day for a week, till you are having seven almonds. The next night soak six almonds, and the next five, till at the end of the week you are again having only one almond. Eating these soaked almonds in an ascending and descending order is grandmother’s prescription for good eyeright and healthy ‘grey matter’. It also delays the onset of cataract. Almonds are highly nutritious and easily digestible proteins. Their brown skin is considered to be ‘heat-producing’ and also difficult to digest, and is hence discarded.

2. Carrots

Eat plenty of carrots, red peppers, mangoes and melons. All fruits and vegetables in shades of yellow and orange, as well as green leafy vegetables, are rich in beta-carotene, the precursor of retinol.

3. Liquorice Root

Myopia or short-sightedness is benefited by the intake of a mixture of half a teaspoon of powdered liquorice root, half a teaspoon of ghee made from milk fat, and half a teaspoon of honey, thrice a day with half a cup of milk, before meals for 3-4 weeks.

4. Carrot Juice 

A cup of carrot juice and one-fourth of a cup of spinach juice taken twice a day is good for eyesight. Regular intake ensures that spectacles are never needed!

Useful References

• https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/errors
• http://www.who.int/features/qa/45/en/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3930282/

What is puffy eyes?

Puffy eye is that when you awake the eyes are swollen. Late nights, allergies, high salt intake or general stress can cause the unsightly phenomenon of puffy eyes.

What are the causes of Puffy Eyes?

Puffiness or fullness of the skin under the eyes can be due to a number of causes. Some the common causes of puffy eyes are:

• Changes in your body’s fluid balance such as due to weather changes, travel or hormone fluctuations.
• Drinking more alcohol then the capacity results in hangovers and they also produce puffy eyes.
• Contact lenses can cause irritation and swelling, results in puffy eyes.
• Lack of sleep may also results in puffy eyes.
• Heredity problem is also cause puffy eyes.

What are the symptoms of puffy eyes?

• Eyelid swelling.
• Eye redness or pink eyes.
• Eye Swelling.
• Inability to closing or opening of the eyes is most common symptom of puffy eyes.

Natural home remedies to get rid of puffy eyes

1. Water

Apply cool tap water compresses to the skin under your eyes.

2. Drink Water

Drink of enough water will also reduce eye puffiness. When a person is dehydrated the body starts storing water as a defense system and this will add to puffy eyes, so drink around 8-10 glass of water daily to get rid of puffy eyes.

3. Tea Bags

Prepare two tea bags by soaking them in water, squeeze them out and cool them in the refrigerator. Once they are chill out, lie down and place the bags on closed eyelids for 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep with regular timings.

5. Cucumber

Take two thin slices of a chilled cucumber and placed a slice on each eyelid for 5 minutes. This helps to relieve sore, puffy eyes.

6. Contact Lenses

Contact lenses should be removed before going to bed, to avoid puffiness caused by lens irritation and drying.

7. Rose Water

Soak cotton wool pads in rose water and use them as eye pads, over closed eyes, this will help to get rid of puffy eyes and reduce your puffiness.

8. Vitamin A

The intake of vitamins A is of utmost importance in reducing the puffiness of the eyes. The best sources of this vitamin are carrots, oranges, tomatoes, cabbage etc.

Useful References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23098877
• https://www.allaboutvision.com/cosmetic/puffy-eyes.htm

What is keratitis?

Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) may be acute or chronic, superficial or deep. Superficial keratitis is fairly common and may develop at any age. The prognosis is good with treatment. Untreated, recurrent keratitis may lead to blindness.

Causes of keratitis

Keratitis may result from exposure (such as in Bell’s palsy where the eyelids don’t close). It may also result from infection by herpes simplex virus, type 1 (known as dendritic keratitis because of a characteristic branched lesion of the cornea resembling the veins of a leaf). Less commonly, it stems from bacterial and fungal infections and, rarely, from congenital syphilis.

Signs and symptoms of keratitis

Unilateral keratitis may produce mild irritation, tearing, and photophobia. If the infection is in the center of the cornea, it may produce blurred vision. Left untreated, corneal opacities can occur. When keratitis results from exposure, it usually affects the lower portion of the cornea.

Herpes simplex keratitis

A major cause of adult eye disease, herpes simplex keratitis may lead to:

• Chronic inflammation of the cornea
• Development of tiny blood vessels in the eye
• Scarring
• Loss of vision
• Glaucoma.

Diagnosis

A slit-lamp examination reveals the depth of the keratitis. If keratitis is due to herpes simplex virus, staining the eye with a fluorescein strip produces one or more small branch like (dendritic) lesions; touching the cornea with cotton reveals reduced corneal sensation. Vision testing may show slightly decreased acuity. The patient history may reveal a recent infection of the upper respiratory tract accompanied by cold sores.

Home remedies for the treatment of keratitis

1. A sterile, cotton-tipped applicator may be used to gently remove infected tissue and allow the eye to heal more rapidly.
2. A patient with keratitis may wear a patch to protect the healing eye from bright light, foreign objects, the lid rubbing against the cornea, and other irritants.
3. Minor keratitis (corneal) infections are commonly treated with anti-bacterial or anti-fungal eye drops.
4. For cases caused by dry eye, artificial tears for lubrication are usually effective.
5. Vitamin supplementation is given in cases where a vitamin A deficiency is the suspected cause.

If the problem is more severe, a person may receive more intensive antibiotic treatment as under to eliminate the infection :-

In acute keratitis due to herpes simplex virus, treatment consists of trifluridine eye drops or vidarabine ointment. A broad-spectrum antibiotic may prevent secondary bacterial infection.

Chronic dendritic keratitis may respond more quickly to vidarabine. Long-term topical therapy may be necessary. (Corticosteroid therapy is contraindicated in dendritic keratitis or any other viral or fungal disease of the cornea.) Treatment for fungal keratitis consists of natamycin.

Keratitis due to exposure requires application of moisturizing ointment to the exposed cornea and of a plastic bubble eye shield or eye patch. Treatment for severe corneal scarring may include keratoplasty (cornea transplantation).

Prevention and special considerations tips

1. Many cases of keratitis could be avoided with common sense and good hygiene. Protecting your cornea from cuts with sports and protective eyewear is the first step, since keratitis also results from a corneal injury. If you have a cold sore or genital herpes, avoid touching your eyes – and avoid over-the-counter steroid eye drops, which can worsen this type of infection.
2. Children and adults who wear contact lenses should always use sterile lens-cleaning and disinfecting solutions.
3. Do not over wear contact lenses at night and remove them if the eyes become red or irritated.
4. Also consume a well-balanced diet, including vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, squash, mangoes, sweet potatoes and spinach.

Useful References

• https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-keratitis
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2704532/
• https://www.medicinenet.com/keratitis/article.htm

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steals sight without warning and often without symptoms. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires and is responsible for carrying the images we see to the brain. There is fluid in front of and behind the lens of the eyes. This is maintained ­ optimum pressure predetermined by nature.

Causes and Symptoms of Glaucoma

In glaucoma, fluid pressure builds up inside the eye and damages the delicate tissues of the eyes. This causes a throbbing headache and pain in and above the eyes. A person thinks he or she is seeing coloured rings around lights and lighted objects, and there is a gradual loss of peripheral vision.

Glaucoma can occur due to a congenital cause, but it is often a disease of the middle-aged and the elderly, striking people around 40 years of age and above. It often runs in families. Scientifically, it has been linked to a deficiency of vitamin-B (thiamine), vitamin-C and vitamin-A.

Home Remedies For Glaucoma

1. Vitamin A

Take Vitamin A and carotenoid needed to keep healthy eyes and to improve night vision.

2. Green Leafy Vegetables

A diet rich in green leafy vegetables and foods which are yellow or orange-coloured will ensure tre vitamin intake.

3. Spinach

Eat spinach and take Lutein or spinach extract Contains carotenoid needed for retina and eye tissue sometimes reversing many eye conditions.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001620.htm
• https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma

What is Eye strain ?

Eyestrain can be experienced as burning, tightness, sharp pains, dull pains, watering, blurring, double vision, headaches, and other sensations, depending on the person. If you have any eye discomfort caused by viewing something, you can call it eyestrain.

In terms of eyestrain, our ancestors had it easy. Today, we spend hours every day staring into computer monitors or TV screens, squinting through dirty windshields, or simply opening our eyes every morning in a world that’s full of smoke and smog. As a result, our eyes often are tired and dry. To give your eyes a break while keeping them moist and lubricated.

Causes of Eyestrain

Eyestrain causes a dull, aching, sensation around and behind the eyes that can expand into a general headache. It may feel painful or fatiguing to focus the eyes. Eyestrain is commonly caused by reading books or watching TV screens and computer screens continuously without getting break. The most overlooked cause of eyestrain in offices is contrast – usually, a dark screen surrounded by a bright background such as a window or a lit wall. Eyes are also strained more by close viewing than by distant viewing.

Symptoms of Eyestrain

Some of the common symptoms of Eyestrain and dry eyes are :-

• Eyes becomes red.
• Headache.
• Blurred vision.
• Difficult to view some thing, it’s temporally.
• Feeling Fatigue.
• Itching, or burning eyes.

Home remedies to get relief from Eye strain

1. Bat your eyelids. Your eyelids are like windshield wipers. Every time you blink they spread a soothing layer of lubrication across the surfaces of the eyes. When your eyes are getting tired, blinking them several times will give quick relief. As a bonus, blinking helps remove dust or grift from the eyes before it causes irritation.
2. Cover your eyes. To soothe the eyes, do what some professional massage therapists do: Rub your hands together to warm them up, then place the heels of your palms over your eyes for a few seconds. The warmth from your hands will quickly penetrate into the eyes, making them feel rested and relaxed.
3. Give nature a hand. When your eyes are unusually dry, put in a few drops of artificial tears. Sold in pharmacies, these “re-wetting drops” will help remove debris while providing soothing relief. You can use artificial tears whenever your eyes are feeling dry and tired.
4. Keep them cool. Many people have found that putting slices of cool cucumber over the eyes can be very soothing. Or you can simply cover your eyes with a cool compress. Wet a towel in cool water, wring it out, and place it over your eyes for about five minutes.
5. Give your eyes a break. Most eyestrain is caused by overuse – from staring at the computer screen, for example, or driving long distances. Doctors recommend taking a “vision break” once an hour or so. You don’t have to stop what you’re doing – just focus on something else for a few minutes, preferably something in the distance. Then close your eyes and relax for a moment. Simply resting your eyes now and then will make a big difference in stopping strain and soreness.

When to see the doctor ?

If your eyes are dry and sore, and you have other symptoms like’ a dry mouth, you should call your doctor right away. There are a number of illnesses, including arthritis and lupus, that can cause the eyes to get tired and irritated. Don’t assume that dry eyes are “merely” on eye problem. There may be something else going on as well. Wearing the right prescription contact lenses or funky frames are an option these days.

Some prevention tips for getting relief from eyestrain

• Get sufficient sleep; fatigue promotes eyestrain.
• Do not work TV continuously.
• Computer glasses that focus at the right distance for the computer screen.
• If you work with computers for long periods of time, take a five- or ten-minute break every hour; focus on distant objects as often as possible.

A cataract is formed when the natural lens of the eye hardens and becomes cloudy, resulting in a loss of visual function. Cataracts are a normal part of aging and about 50% of all Americans over 65 have cataracts, as do 70% of those aged 75 and over. Cataracts can affect all ages, however, as they also result from injury, heredity, or medications.The lens of the eyes are transparent, flexible and made of crystalline tissue.

What Causes Cataract and Symptoms of Eye Cataract

Gradual clouding of the lens, with loss of transparency and gradually deteriorating vision, is called ‘the the coming on of cataract’ or cataract formation. This normally occurs in an aging person. However, some newborns can be born with it, or it can be acquired at a young age due to metobolic disorders, e.g., diabetes or galacotose metabolic disorders. Cataracts may follow radiation exposure and excessive exposure to UV light (sunlight), smoke, or alcohol.

Natural Home Remedies For Eye Cataract

1. A diet rich in vitamin-B, especially riboflavin, which is found in milk, and vitamin-A, in green leafy vegetables, etc., delay the onset of cataract. Wholegrain cereals and yeast extract added to the diet are beneficial.
2. Fresh wheatgrass juice taken daily, and also used as eye drops once a day, is efficacious. It should be consumed immediately after extraction and should be about one-third of a cup, sipped slowly so that the saliva mixes with it. If you find it unpalatable, flavour it with fresh grape juice or a little honey. Wheatgrass juice protects cell membrane and maintains its transparency.
3. Use Eyebright herb in drops is excellent for cataracts, this plant can be use internally and is much more effective than commercial eye drops and safer.
4. Mix 1 cup of rose petals, 4 tbsp. of raspberry leaves, 4 cups of boiling water. Let the ingredients rest for 30 minutes, strain and use as eye wash.

Useful References

• https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts
• http://www.who.int/blindness/GLOBALDATAFINALforweb.pdf?ua=1
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1502210/

What is chalazion?

A common eye disorder, a chalazion is a granulomatous inflammation of a meibomian gland in the upper or lower eyelid. This disorder is characterized by localized swelling and usually develops slowly over several weeks.

A chalazion may become large enough to press on the eyeball, producing astigmatism; a large chalazion seldom subsides spontaneously and may have to be incised and curetted surgically. A person susceptible to developing chalazia may have more than one because the upper and lower eyelids contain many meibomian glands. If a chalazion becomes persistent and chronic, a neoplasm should be ruled out by biopsy.

A chalazion is sometimes confused with a stye which also appears as a lump in the eyelid. Chalazions tend to occur farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes (although a gradual swelling can be felt near the edge of the lid), and tend to “point” toward the inside or nose side of the eyelid. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.

Causes of chalazion

A chalazion develops within the Meibomian glands of the eyelid, which are sebaceous glands that produce the tear film that lubricates the eyes. The eyelid has approximately 100 of these glands, located near the eyelashes.

The condition is caused by obstruction of the duct that drains one of these glands. A chalazion begins as diffuse swelling and tenderness, and later forms a cyst-like localized swelling. Many chalazia disappear without treatment after a few months.

Signs and symptoms of chalazion

A chalazion occurs as a painless, hard lump that usually points toward the conjunctival side of the eyelid. Eversion of the lid reveals a red elevated area on the conjunctival surface. In the worst cases, it can even affect eyesight, causing blurry vision. This is due to pressure placed on the eye from the inflammation (swelling) of the eyelid and the growing chalazion.

Home remedies for the treatment of chalazion

1. Warm Compress

In the early stages, chalazia may be treated at home with the repeated use of warm compresses can be applied in a variety of ways, The simplest way is to hold a clean washcloth, soaked in hot water, against the closed lid for five to ten minutes, three to four times a day. Repeatedly soak the washcloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat.

2. Guava Leaves

Guava leaves, warmed and placed on a warm damp cloth, and then used as a compress, reduce the redness, pain and swelling.

3. Acacia Leaves

Boil a handful of acacia leaves in two cups of water. Make a decoction and use as a compress on the eyelids. It reduces swelling and pain. Helps in the removal of chalazion.

If above home remedies fails or if the chalazion presses on the eyeball or causes a severe cosmetic problem, steroid injection or incision and curettage under local anesthetic may be necessary.

After such surgery, a pressure eye patch applied for 8 to 24 hours controls bleeding and swelling. After removal of the patch, treatment again consists of warm compresses applied for 10 to 15 minutes, two to four times daily, and antimicrobial eye drops or ointment to prevent secondary infection.

Prevention and special considerations tips

1. Instruct the patient how to properly apply warm compresses: Tell him to take special care to avoid burning the skin, to always use a clean cloth, and to discard used compresses.
2. Proper cleansing of the eyelid may prevent recurrences in people prone to chalazion.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001006.htm
• https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/chalazion?sso=y
• http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/procedures/surgical/a4671/removal-of-chalazion/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14762403
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039625796800646

What is Blepharitis?

A common inflammation, blepharitis produces a red-rimmed appearance of the margins of the eyelids. It’s frequently chronic and bilateral and can affect both upper and lower lids. Seborrheic blepharitis is characterized by waxy scales and is common in older adults and in persons with red hair. Staphylococcal (ulcerative) blepharitis is characterized by tiny ulcerated areas along the lid margins. Both types may coexist. Debris and protein build-up at the base of eyelashes are called “collarettes” in blepharitis

Blepharitis tends to recur and become chronic. It can be controlled if treatment begins before the onset of ocular involvement

What are the causes of blepharitis?

There are many factors which contribute to blepharitis. The most common are poor eyelid hygiene, blocked glands in the eyelids, excess oil produced by the glands in the eyelid, a bacterial infection (often staphylococcal), or an allergic reaction. Seborrheic blepharitis generally results from seborrhea of the scalp, eyebrows, and ears; ulcerative blepharitis, from Staphylococcus aureus infection. (People with this infection may also tend to develop chalazions and styes.)

Signs and symptoms of blepharitis

Clinical features of blepharitis include itching, burning, foreign-body sensation, and sticky, crusted eyelids on waking. This constant irritation results in unconscious rubbing of the eyes (causing reddened rims) or continual blinking. Other signs include waxy scales in seborrheic blepharitis; flaky scales on lashes, loss of lashes, and ulcerated areas on lid margins in ulcerative blepharitis.

Natural home remedies for the treatment of blepharitis

Early treatment is essential to prevent recurrence or complications. Blepharitis can be difficult to manage because it tends to recur. Treatment depends on the type of blepharitis you have. It may include applying warm compresses to the eyelids, cleansing them, using an antibiotic and/or massaging the lids.

1. Daily shampooing of eyelashes (using a mild shampoo on a damp applicator stick or a washcloth) to remove scales from the lid margins; also, frequent shampooing of the scalp and eyebrows. This help to cure seborrheic blepharitis.
2. Warm compresses heat the debris and crust on the lid margin to or above the melting point of their individual components so that they are easily removed with the lid scrubs. Technique: Soaking a washcloth in water as warm as the eyelids can stand, and then placing the cloth on the lid surface (eyelids closed) for a five to ten minute period. In the acute phase this is performed 2 to 4 times day. One method described is the use of a fresh-boiled egg (in its shell wrapped in a washcloth).
3. Plain water plus (a very small amount of) vinegar compress :- Before using a vinegar compress, first put a drop of artificial tears in each eye, such as refresh Lubricant Eye Drops. Add 1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar to 2 or 3 cups of clean water, and then use a clean washcloth (or 2 or 3 lint-free tissues instead of a washcloth) for the compress.
4. Boil an eye-dropper bottle for 10 minutes in fresh distilled water (not the water you used to make the solution). Use a stainless steel pan reserved only for this use. Pour the aloe vera / boric acid solution into the eye-dropper bottle. Use as an eye drop three times a day.

Prevention and special considerations tips

1. Instruct the patient to gently remove scales from the lid margins daily with an applicator stick or a clean washcloth.
2. Not wearing eye makeup is also a good idea, since it can get in the way of eyelid hygiene and massage treatments.
3. Teach the patient the following method for applying warm compresses: First, run warm water into a clean bowl. Then immerse a clean cloth in the water and wring it out. Place the warm cloth against the closed eyelid. (Be careful not to burn the skin.) Hold the compress in place until it cools. Continue this procedure for 15 minutes.

Useful References

• https://nei.nih.gov/health/blepharitis/blepharitis
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4270370/