Conjunctivitis

Facts:

Certain herbs and nutrients such as Burdock, Forsythia, Goldenseal and Echinacea may help ease Conjunctivitis and preserve vision. See self help and prevention tips

Overview:

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is the most common eye disease in the Western hemisphere. Because of its exposed position, the conjunctiva comes into contact with more microorganisms than any other membrane.

The infection usually starts in one eye and is spread to the other quite readily. It usually results in red, irritated eyes and disappears in three days to a week. If the symptoms linger, go to the eye doctor. The infection can enter the cornea and create little clouded areas that may affect vision.

Symptoms:

Red, irritated eyes
"Glued" eyelids from discharges overnight upon wakening in the morning
Sensitivity to light
A feeling of itchiness and griminess

Causes:

Bacteria

Some cases are caused by bacteria, such as pneumococcus, staphylococcus or streptococcus, although allergies and some viruses can also cause conjunctivitis.

Virus

Other cases are caused by a virus called adenovirus. This virus can be spread in many ways including swimming pools, wet towels, etc.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Some people are susceptible to allergic conjunctivitis brought on by use of drugs: (see info on drugs that harm the eyes for a more complete list of harmful drugs)

Antibiotics - when antibiotics are given for eye problems topically they may have the side effect of causing an allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Systemic antibiotics taken orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously to help with bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. For example:

Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin)- a person taking these may experience some mild redness of the eyes, itching and dry eyes. In rare cases they have been shown to cause hemorrhages of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva and in the retina
Tetracycline - similar to the above plus light sensitivity and blurred vision
Sulfonamides - many people are allergic to "sulfa drugs". This can cause blurred vision, light sensitivity and hemorrhages in the eye.
Note Whenever taking antibiotics make sure you take probiotics such as acidophilus or bifidus and vitamin C to help ward off some of the side effects of the antibiotics.

Conventional Treatment:

Conventional medicine usually prescribes sulfa-based eyedrops once other potential problems have been ruled out. These usually work within three days. If not, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. In the case of a virus, not much can be done. An old time traditional treatment is includes a 1% silver nitrate or 5% povidone/iodine solution will help eliminate the virus-infected cells by exfoliating the surface of the eye, as well as killing the virus itself.

Complementary Treatment:
Shopping Tips

Essential: EyeEase Formula - EyeEase Formula helps ease conjunctivitis and sties.

Helpful: MSM Eyedrops 1 oz (30ml) - contains natural occurring sulfur found in eggs and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower - has natural anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties.

Diet & Nutrition

Follow the basic basic Vision Diet
Eat yogurt as well as applying it in a compress to the eyes, will help alleviate conjunctivitis. The acidophilus in yogurt combats the bacterial infection. For that reason, we also suggest acidophilus supplements. Eat 1/2 cup of yogurt with the live cultures three times a day or take an acidophilus supplement (with about six billion live or probiotic organisms) three times a day.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is especially important in promoting health in all epithelial tissues, including the conjunctiva.
Vitamin B Complex: Conjunctivis can be triggered by a vitamin B2 deficiency, but supplementing with the entire B complex can increase the availability of vitamin B2 without inducing deficiencies of the other B vitamins.

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