Eyes are supposed to be our window to the world. It is truly said that – A thing of beauty is a joy forever. But, to appreciate the beautiful things around you, you need to take proper care of your eyes.

Eyes differ from some other organs of our body since they are directly exposed to the environment and hence have a high chance of catching infections. Hence, it becomes important to take care of our eyes.

Conjunctivitis or pink eye is an infection, affecting the conjunctiva of the eye. The thin transparent layer of tissue lining the eyelid’s inner surface and covering the white part of our eye is known as the conjunctiva. When inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva occurs, the color of the eyes turns red or pinkish, thereby indicating an infected condition called Conjunctivitis. It is also known by other names such as pink eye or Madras eye. One must take proper care and give attention to recover from conjunctivitis since the disease is contagious.

Causes of Conjunctivitis:

Several causes are responsible for conjunctivitis and are grouped into three categories. They are allergic conjunctivitis, infectious conjunctivitis, and chemical conjunctivitis. We will see in brief what we mean by allergic, infectious, and chemical.

(i) Allergic conjunctivitis arises from a persistent or seasonal allergic condition in people. Exposure to such stimuli can trigger an eye infection in some people. Giant papillary conjunctivitis is also classified under the allergic category since they result due to the usage and management of contact lenses. If not properly managed, continuous usage of contact lenses can lead to conjunctivitis.

(ii) Infectious conjunctivitis is identified for resulting due to bacterial infection, viral infection, or ophthalmia noenatrum.

Bacterial conjunctivitis often results due to staphylococcal bacteria and infects people due to physical contact, poor hygiene, etc.

Viral conjunctivitis spread due to exposure to coughing or sneezing (like the common cold), upper respiratory infection, or through the body’s mucous membranes which connect the lungs, nose, tear ducts, and conjunctiva.

Ophthalmia noenatrum is known to be a form of bacterial conjunctivitis. It happens to affect newborn babies. Ophthalmia noenatrum occurs when an infant or newborn baby is exposed to gonorrhea or chlamydia while passing through the birth canal.

(iii) Chemical conjunctivitis results due to exposure to chemical toxicants or polluted air.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis: 

Various symptoms of conjunctivitis are:

(i) Red or pink coloration in the white area of the eye

(ii) The swelling of the conjunctiva

(iii) Itching or burning sensation in the eye

(iv) Feeling of foreign body entrapped inside the eye

(v) An increased tear formation

(vi) The discharge of pus

(vii) Crusting of eyelids, particularly after a long sleep

Diagnosis of Conjunctivitis: 

A doctor can diagnose conjunctivitis by carrying out a physical examination of the eye. The doctor may also enquire about other aspects, such as whether the patient was prone to the cold and upper respiratory problems in the past, what the frequency of such episodes in the past was, and the history of any other allergy-related issues.

5 Best Homeopathic Remedies for Conjunctivitis: 

Homeopathic medicines have always shown excellent results in the treatment of eye-related infections, particularly in treating conjunctivitis. Some common recommended homeopathic medicines for conjunctivitis are listed below.

(i) Euphrasia: One of the most common and effective homeopathic remedies for conjunctivitis is Euphrasia. Euphrasia is recommended when the symptoms include catarrhal conjunctivitis, eyes water all the time, discharge of acrid matter, discharge appears to be thick and excoriating, frequent inclination to blink the eyelids, and the burning and swelling of eyelids.

(ii) Argentum Nitricum:  Argentum Nitricum is recommended as an effective remedy for acute conjunctivitis. The other symptoms that indicate this remedy include great swelling of the conjunctiva, abundant and purulent and discharge from eyes, and symptoms become worse during warm climate and you feel better in the cold weather.  

(iii) Sulphur: Sulphur is usually recommended as a remedy when the patient has got eyes that are red and irritated. The white portion of the eyes looks red or bloodshot with a profuse tear formation. When eyelids look contracted or crusting of eyelids occurs and the patient turns highly sensitive to light and heat, Sulphur is indicated.

(iv) Belladona: Belladona is yet another effective remedy for conjunctivitis. Major symptoms that indicate this remedy include eyes appearing red, swollen and protruding eyes, dry eyes with burning sensation, sensation as if eyes were half-closed, and swollen eyelids.

(v) Aconitum Napellus: This is an effective remedy recommended for patients coming up with symptoms, such as red and inflamed eyes, dry and hot feeling, swollen, hard, and red eyelids, eyes being highly sensitive to light, and profuse watering on exposure to the dry or cold winds.

We must not forget the fact that conjunctivitis is quite contagious. Hence, people who can come in contact with the patient of conjunctivitis should take the necessary care to prevent themselves from getting infected. The patient should also practice some good hygiene practices to prevent others from getting infected. Here are some healthy and helpful tips which a patient and their near and dear ones should follow.

• Patients with conjunctivitis should not touch or rub their eyes with their hands.
• Patients with conjunctivitis should wash their hands frequently to keep them disinfected.
• Not to share towels, handkerchief, pillow cover, bedsheet with other people who can come in contact with the patient.
• Avoid using cosmetics
• Completely stop wearing contact lenses till you recover from conjunctivitis completely.
• Do not share your spectacles and sunglasses with others.
• Avoid direct eye contact with people during the disease phase.

So, if you happen to suffer from conjunctivitis at any time, take the right care of yourself and your near and dear ones to avoid the spread of the infection. Count on homeopathic treatment for conjunctivitis to obtain relief effectively and safely without any adverse effects. Homeopathy offers gentle, natural, safe, and effective treatment to help you recover smoothly from conjunctivitis.

• Written by Dr. Ashitha, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah

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